Visiting Malta? Here’s what to know, how to drive, where to eat and more

03.09.2024 - 13:32 / lonelyplanet.com

Sep 2, 2024 • 6 min read

Compact, easy to get around and with a friendly English-speaking population, Malta is a relaxed and convenient destination filled with pleasures.

Taking note of a few pre-departure tips will make a trip to the Mediterranean’s smallest island nation even more enjoyable. Here’s all you need to know before your trip to Malta.

Malta is a great place to explore on two legs , especially around Valletta and in the hilltop walled city of Mdina . Note that both places involve plenty of steps and centuries-old cobblestones, and wearing a comfortable pair of walking shoes is recommended, even essential. If there’s a bit of rain, lanes and plazas can also become slippery, and are probably not best negotiated in a pair of sandals or flip-flops.

Good walking shoes will also serve you well when exploring clifftop hiking routes like Malta’s Dingli Cliffs or the Xlendi Walk on Gozo. An effective sun hat and sunglasses are also essential to combat the heat of a Mediterranean summer. Gozo in particular is becoming a popular walking destination, with marked trails linking villages, clifftops and beaches. See the Visit Gozo website for 10 recommended trails.

A 5000-year-old subterranean necropolis only rediscovered in 1902, Malta’s Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is one of the country’s essential sights. As such, it’s extremely popular – and to protect the fragile, centuries-old interior, entry is limited to 80 people per day. Booking ahead online – far ahead, ideally as long as three months before arriving in Malta – is highly recommended. Also, if you miss your timed entry, it’s not possible to join the next guided tour.  Last-minute entry tickets, which also sell out quickly, are available the day prior for an additional charge of €15.

As an island country in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta has a cuisine that’s been influenced by various cultures throughout the centuries. French, British, Italian – especially Sicilian – and Arabic flavors all overlap in the diverse food traditions here. Before leaving home, book a private walking tour with Offbeat Malta Food Trails for early in your trip. That way, you’ll be up to speed and armed with cultural and historical culinary insights as you explore local restaurants, island vineyards and food markets across Malta and its smaller sister island of Gozo.  

It’s also worth booking well ahead for popular Michelin-starred restaurants like Valletta’s Noni , especially during Malta’s busiest travel months, July and August . 

Held in early August near Valletta, the annual Malta International Food Festival is an essential event for traveling foodies. Around one month earlier in July, Gozo’s version of the same festival enlivens the traditional village