By Soren Rivero
Brimming with Baroque and Renaissance inspired architecture, this European island country hosts breathtaking views and a variety of exciting adventures. From touring historic buildings to going deep sea diving, Malta is a bucket list destination for every avid-traveller.
If you plan on visiting this must-see destination, here are some helpful tips for when you travel to Malta!
Hydration is Key
No exaggeration needed here: Malta is one hot country. The island falls under the Mediterranean climate category, where summers are very warm and dry. Temperatures can reach well into the 30C’s during the summer months, though the good thing is that the winters are much more mild.
Thus, it's important for you to remember to stay hydrated. The consistently high temperatures and near 70% humidity makes humans much more susceptible to dehydration. Please Note: the tap water in Malta is safe to drink. It might taste salty, but that's because of the saline process it goes through in order to be safe for consumption.
Apply Lots of Sunscreen
It’s highly advisable to wear a fair amount of sun protection when you travel to Malta, so be sure not to skimp out on sunscreen. Hats, visors, cooling rags, and other personal protective gear will also aid in keeping you cool!
Participate in Valletta Carnival Week
The Maltese population hosts various festivals throughout the year that celebrate the island’s culture. You have jazz festivals in Gozo, beer festivals during summer, the Santa Marija feast in August, and Carnival Week in Valletta.
Malta hosts their own Carnival Week every February. This lively festival showcases bigger-than-life floats adorned in sparkling ornaments and flashing colours parading down the streets of Valletta. People of all ages enjoy this event because of its unique combination of fun activities, traditional food and drink, parties, nightlife, and of course, community. If you’re an avid party-goer, head on over to Paceville to continue the fun all the way in the early morning hours.
Can’t make it in February? There’s also the lovely Festival Mediterranea that lasts for over six weeks starting in mid-Autumn. This festival is the highlight of all things artistic, with performances of lavish opera and classical music productions showcasing the creativity of over 7,000 years of culture in Gozo.
Feast Your Eyes… and Your Stomach
The cuisine’s inspiration is mostly derived from Italy with a big focus on the city of Sicily, with hints here and there of flavours from North Africa. Some of the more popular dishes use fish (and other seafood) as the main spotlight of the meal — it is an island country, after all. Visit restaurants throughout the country, specifically in Marsaxlokk, if you want a unique food experience in Malta. Whole fish are showcased for patrons before waiters ask you how you would like it prepared. Not sure what to have? Try the grilled fish with lemon doused in wine or baked in a bed of fresh local tomatoes and handpicked capers.
Travel Between Cities
One of the best things to do in Malta is to travel between cities. The island’s rather small landmass and accessibility makes it easy to go from place to place. Plan to visit at least a few different cities when you travel to Malta, specifically these three: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua.
For the best experience, we recommend you take a ferry ride to Valletta from Sliema. This route hosts gorgeous scenery that you absolutely can’t find anywhere else. Another pro-tip is to enjoy a boat ride to Dwejra Bay from Gozo Island. Surrounded by astonishing cliffs and other incredible views, you’ll be able to see why this area once gave way to the Azure Window (which unfortunately collapsed in 2017).
Spot Some Pyrotechnic Displays
Pyrotechnics go all the way back to the era of the Order of the Knights of St. John. Since then, fireworks have been used in dozens of festivals and holidays as a way to celebrate life! There’s even an International Malta Fireworks Festival that occurs annually at the Grand Harbour in Valletta. This is something you can’t leave Malta without seeing — the display is truly magnificent.
Watch The Paddock to Plate Process
If you’ve never had the chance to see goats milked in person… here’s your time to do so. Now it might not be on everyone’s bucket list to see a local milk their goat, but while you’re in Gozo you might as well take the opportunity. This rare paddock to plate process can be seen before being turned into a little round Maltese cheese called Gbejna. Try it out at one of the many good restaurants in Gozo!
Cycle through Gozo
Gozo has been known as one of the best cycling spots in the world for its rural roads, limestone crags, and sea cliffs all offering stunning views. Cyclists who want a more rigorous challenge will want to ride through the Ta’ Cenc plateau in Calypso’s Cave. This challenging route overlooks Ramla’s mysterious red sands and the megalithic temples of Ggantija — a UNESCO world heritage site. Gozo also hosts one of the longest roof climbs in the world via King of Kings. There’s also the Underworld, a massive cave designated on the side of a cliff that's one of the longest roof climbs in the world.
Feel Free to Ask Around!
The Maltese population is a rather tight knit community, given that only around 529,000~ people are living on the island. If you ever find yourself lost or confused, don’t be hesitant to ask one of the locals. Chances are they know someone who can help you if they can’t do so.
Oh, and don’t worry too much about the language barrier. English is the second most spoken language in Malta, with over 70% of the population speaking it.
