Malta for First-Timers: Islands, Airport, Money, Driving

Planning a first trip to Malta

Malta is one of the easiest countries in Europe to visit for the first time. English is an official language, the currency is the euro, distances are short and the main sights are close together. It is also denser and busier than many first-timers expect, with traffic, construction and crowded summer beaches alongside the honey-coloured fortifications. A little planning about where you sleep and how you move around makes a big difference.

The basics to remember: Malta drives on the left, plugs are the UK-style three-pin type G at 230 volts, the international dialling code is +356 and the emergency number is 112 for ambulance, fire and police. For a quick reference of phone numbers and hospitals, see our emergency contacts page.

How the three islands fit together

The Republic of Malta is an archipelago of three inhabited islands in the central Mediterranean, south of Sicily.

Malta is the largest island and where almost everyone arrives. It holds the capital Valletta, the Three Cities across the Grand Harbour, the resort towns of Sliema and St Julian's, the old capital Mdina and Rabat, the northern bays around Mellieħa and St Paul's Bay, and the fishing village of Marsaxlokk in the south.
Gozo lies northwest of Malta, about 25 minutes away on the Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr. It is greener and quieter, with its own bus network and the hilltop Cittadella in Victoria.
Comino sits between the two and is almost uninhabited. Most people visit by boat for the Blue Lagoon.

The practical consequence: everything on Malta island is reachable in a day trip from any base, and Gozo works as a day trip too, but each ferry crossing adds time at both ends. Our Gozo ferry guide explains the car ferry and the fast ferry from Valletta.

How many days do you need?

3 days: Valletta and the Three Cities, the temples or the Hypogeum, and Mdina. See the 3-day itinerary.
5 days: add a beach day in the north and a day trip to Gozo. See the 5-day itinerary.
7 days or more: time for Comino, a night or two on Gozo, walks along the cliffs and slower days. See the 7-day itinerary or the two-week Malta and Gozo itinerary.

Malta is a year-round destination. Summer is hot and crowded, spring and autumn are better for walking and sightseeing, and winter is mild but can be wet and windy. Our best time to visit Malta guide and the weather page go month by month.

Where to base yourself

For a first trip, pick one base on Malta island and add Gozo as a day trip or a short second stay.

Valletta for history, evening walks and the best transport links.
Sliema for a seafront promenade, shops and the ferry across to Valletta.
St Julian's for restaurants and nightlife, with Paceville at its loud end.
St Paul's Bay, Bugibba and Qawra or Mellieħa for the northern beaches and the Gozo ferry.

The full comparison, with trade-offs for each area, is in our where to stay in Malta guide.

Getting from the airport

Malta has one airport, Malta International Airport (MLA) at Luqa, in the south of the main island. There is no airport on Gozo for scheduled flights, so everyone heading to Gozo continues by road and ferry.

As of November 2026, Malta Public Transport lists these Airport Direct buses from the bus terminal outside arrivals:

TD1: Rabat, Buġibba, Mellieħa and Ċirkewwa (for the Gozo ferry), hourly.
TD2: St Julian's and Pembroke, every 30 minutes.
TD3: St Julian's, Sliema, Gżira and Msida, every 30 minutes.
TD4: Valletta and the Gozo fast ferry, every 30 minutes.
TD5: Rabat and Buġibba, hourly.

As of November 2026, Malta Public Transport lists the Airport Direct fare at €3 per passenger, or €3.50 on TD1, paid in cash or by contactless card on board, with no booking needed. Check the tallinja app for current timetables. Taxis and pre-booked transfers are also available outside arrivals. For buses, ferries and driving across the islands, see getting around Malta and our transport planning page.

Entry rules

Malta is a member of the European Union and of the Schengen area. EU citizens travel on a passport or national ID card; most other visitors follow the Schengen short-stay rules. Requirements depend on your nationality, so check our visa requirements page and your own government's advice before booking.

Two EU systems are worth knowing about as of November 2026:

Entry/Exit System (EES): the European Commission states that the EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026. Travellers covered by EES register biometric details at the external Schengen border. Exemptions apply, and children under 12 do not have fingerprints scanned, so check the rules for your situation and allow extra time at passport control.
ETIAS: the European Commission ETIAS page states that ETIAS is not yet in operation and that no applications are being collected. The EU says it will announce the start date several months before launch. Ignore any website that asks you to pay for an ETIAS today.

Money and costs

Malta uses the euro. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and on buses, and ATMs are easy to find in towns and at the airport. Keep some small change for kiosks selling pastizzi, village feasts and the occasional cash-only bar. Prices rise in July and August and in the busiest resort areas. For ways to keep costs down, read Malta on a budget.

Visitors aged 18 and over in licensed accommodation also pay the environmental contribution, collected by the accommodation. As of November 2026, the Malta Tourism Authority lists it at €1.50 per person per night since 1 July 2026, capped at €22.50 per person per visit. Rates are set by national budget measures and can change, so check what your booking includes.

Tipping is a personal choice. Check your bill first to see whether a service charge has been added. One specific case: Visit Malta notes that public car parks managed by Transport Malta are free to use and that tipping the attendants is optional.

Language

Maltese and English are official languages. Signs, menus and public transport information are in English, so first-timers rarely have trouble. Maltese is a Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet, which explains place names such as Ħaġar Qim and Għajn Tuffieħa. Learning grazzi (thank you) and bongu (good morning) is a friendly touch.

Driving on the left

Malta drives on the left, unlike most of Europe. Visit Malta gives speed limits of 60 to 80 km/h on open roads and 30 to 50 km/h in villages and built-up areas unless signs say otherwise, and notes that the alcohol limit for drivers is low and that using a mobile phone at the wheel is heavily penalised. Car hire companies set their own age rules; Visit Malta states that renters must be over 21 and under 70, and drivers under 25 may pay a surcharge. UK visitors can drive on a photocard licence, according to the UK government's travel advice.

Do you need a car? Not for Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's, where traffic and parking are hard work and buses and ferries cover most trips. A car helps on Gozo and for reaching quieter bays and cliff walks. Satellite navigation sometimes picks narrow rural lanes, especially on Gozo, so use judgement before following it down a farm track.

Plugs, water and health

Plugs: Malta uses UK-style three-pin type G plugs, at 230 volts and 50 hertz. Bring an adaptor if your devices use another plug.
Tap water: the Water Services Corporation says Malta's tap water continues to exceed the strictest European standards for safety and taste. Some people find the taste mineral, so many locals and visitors still buy bottled water. A filter bottle is a good compromise.
Healthcare: EU visitors should carry an EHIC and UK visitors a GHIC, plus travel insurance. Pharmacies are common in every town.
Sun: summer heat is strong and shade is scarce on rocky beaches. Carry water and plan sightseeing for mornings and late afternoons.

Common first-timer mistakes

Booking the Hypogeum too late. Heritage Malta strongly recommends booking early because visitor numbers are limited, so reserve as soon as your dates are fixed.
Arriving at the Blue Lagoon without a slot. Since May 2025, visitors arriving by boat who wish to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon need a free online booking for one of three daily time slots. Read our Comino and Blue Lagoon guide.
Underestimating journey times. Distances are short but roads are congested, and a bus ride across the island can take longer than the map suggests.
Treating Gozo as a quick hop. Add the drive or bus to Ċirkewwa, the queue and the crossing. Our Gozo travel guide helps you decide between a day trip and an overnight stay.
Expecting long sandy beaches everywhere. Most of the coast is rock. Sandy bays such as Golden Bay and Mellieħa Bay fill early in summer; see the best beaches in Malta.
Skipping the ferries. The ferry rides from Valletta to Sliema and to the Three Cities avoid road traffic and give harbour views.
Letting your guard down in Paceville. The UK government's travel advice warns of drink spiking in some bars there. Buy your own drinks, keep them in sight and check your bill.

For more on etiquette and daily life, see our local tips, then browse things to do in Malta to start filling your days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to visit Malta?

Malta is in the EU and the Schengen area, so EU citizens travel on a passport or national ID card and most other visitors follow Schengen short-stay rules. Requirements depend on your nationality, so check our visa requirements page and your own government's advice. As of November 2026, the EU Entry/Exit System is fully operational, while ETIAS is not yet in operation.

Do I need ETIAS for Malta?

Not yet. As of November 2026, the European Commission ETIAS page says ETIAS is not in operation and no applications are being collected. The EU will announce the start date several months before launch, so check the official site closer to your trip and avoid unofficial sites that charge for applications.

How do I get from Malta airport to my hotel?

Malta International Airport (MLA) at Luqa is served by Malta Public Transport's Airport Direct buses: TD1 to Rabat, Buġibba, Mellieħa and Ċirkewwa; TD2 to St Julian's and Pembroke; TD3 to St Julian's, Sliema, Gżira and Msida; TD4 to Valletta; and TD5 to Rabat and Buġibba. As of November 2026 the fare is €3, or €3.50 on TD1. Taxis are available outside arrivals.

Does Malta drive on the left?

Yes. Malta drives on the left, unlike most of Europe. Visit Malta gives limits of 60 to 80 km/h on open roads and 30 to 50 km/h in built-up areas unless signed otherwise. The drink-driving limit is low and mobile phone use at the wheel is heavily penalised.

Is tap water safe to drink in Malta?

The Water Services Corporation says Malta's tap water exceeds the strictest European standards for safety and taste. Many people still prefer bottled or filtered water because of the taste.

What plugs does Malta use?

Malta uses the UK-style three-pin type G plug at 230 volts and 50 hertz. Bring an adaptor if your devices use a different plug.

Do people speak English in Malta?

Yes. English and Maltese are both official languages. Signs, menus and transport information are in English.

Should I tip in Malta?

Tipping is a personal choice. Check whether a service charge is already on the bill before adding anything. Tipping attendants at the free public car parks run by Transport Malta is optional.

How many days do I need in Malta?

Three days covers Valletta, the Three Cities, Mdina and one prehistoric site. Five days adds a beach day and a Gozo day trip. A week or more gives time for Comino, a night on Gozo and some coastal walks.