Public transport in Malta

 

The venue is located at the heart of the island of Malta, north of the capital La Valletta and is perfectly connected to the main points of interest of the island by public transport.

 

Bus tickets and non personalised cards may be obtained from the ticket offices at the main bus stations or from the driver on the bus. Rates for a single journey (up to 2 hours) for winter are € 1.50 and € 3.00 for night fares. There is an option to buy a pre-paid eclectronic ticket card, called tallinja card. The card will be personalised with your photo and name and can be topped up with credit easily online, over the phone, at any of our sales outlets or at any MaltaPost post office. Users of the tallinja card will benefit from cheaper fares. A fare for every journey of 75c will be deducted automatically from the credit at entrance of the bus. More details see https://www.tallinja.com.

 

Currency & Banks

 

On 1st January 2008 Malta adopted the Euro as its currency. On 1st February 2008 the Euro became the only legal tender currency in Malta and Gozo.
Banks are normally open until early afternoon from Monday to Friday, and until midday on Saturday. Some banks/branches work longer hours. Summer and winter opening hours may differ.

Exchange bureau at Malta International Airport are open 24 hours a day. International bank cards are accepted and foreign currency is easily exchanged. Banks, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and exchange bureaux can be found all over the Islands. The majority of hotels, larger shops and restaurants also accept payment in the main international currencies. Conversion charges may be applied where outlets opt to accept payment in currencies other than the Euro.

In line with EU legislation on controls of cash entering or leaving the Community, any person entering or leaving Malta carrying cash or other monetary value of which is equal to or in excess of € 10,000 or equivalent is obliged to fill in the appropriate declaration form available from the Customs.

 

Religion & Worship

 

The majority of the Maltese are Roman Catholic, but many other religious denominations are also represented on the islands with small but well established and active communities.

Remember: Churches are places of worship. When visiting, please show respect and dress accordingly.

 

Swimming & Sunbathing

 

The Maltese coastal waters are generally clean and safe for swimming as there are no tides. Some bays are exposed to north and north-easterly winds which do produce some strong undercurrents at times. If you are new to the Maltese Islands, swim where the locals do.

The Maltese Archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean and has a latitude more southerly than that of northern Tunisia. It is advisable to take precautions to ensure that you avoid over exposure to the sun. Even in winter it is recommended to wear sunscreen with a suitable factor for your skin type. This is important if you are out walking, or taking part in water sports. A sun hat is a must. Children and especially babies need extra protection from the sun. If you are sunbathing, it is advisable to avoid the strongest sunlight between the hours of 11am and 3pm in peak summer months.
Remember: Do not wear bathing suits in public areas. Beach wear is for beaches only.

 

Climate

 

Malta's climate is typical of the Mediterranean and is strongly influenced by the sea. The Maltese Islands have a pleasantly sunny climate with a daily average of around 12 hours sunshine in summer going down to 5 to 6 hours in mid-winter. Summers are hot, dry and very sunny. Day-time temperatures in summer are often mitigated by cooling sea breezes.

Spring and autumn are cooler, except when the occasional Scirocco wind from Africa brings unseasonably high temperatures and humidity. Winters are mild, with the occasional short cold spells brought about by the north and north-easterly winds from central Europe.

Annual rainfall is low, averaging 568mm a year. Bathing in the sea is quite possible well into the ‘winter' months, and the peak beach season can last until mid- to late October.
 

History

 

The history of Malta is a long and colourful one dating back to the dawn of civilisation. The Maltese Islands went through a golden Neolithic period, the remains of which are the mysterious temples dedicated to the goddess of fertility. Later on, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Byzantines, all left their traces on the Islands.

In 60 A.D. St. Paul was shipwrecked on the island while on his way to Rome and brought Christianity to Malta. The Arabs conquered the islands in 870 A.D. and left an important mark on the language of the Maltese. Until 1530 Malta was an extension of Sicily: The Normans, the Aragonese and other conquerors who ruled over Sicily also governed the Maltese Islands. It was Charles V who bequeathed Malta to the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem who ruled over Malta from 1530 to 1798. The Knights took Malta through a new golden age, making it a key player in the cultural scene of 17th and 18th century Europe. The artistic and cultural lives of the Maltese Islands were injected with the presence of artists such as Caravaggio, Mattia Preti and Favray who were commissioned by the Knights to embellish churches, palaces and auberges.

In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte took over Malta from the Knights on his way to Egypt. The French presence on the islands was short lived, as the English, who were requested by the Maltese to help them against the French, blockaded the islands in 1800. British rule in Malta lasted until 1964 when Malta became independent. The Maltese adapted the British system of administration, education and legislation. Modern Malta became a Republic in 1974 and joined the European Union in May 2004.

 

Culture and Heritage

 

With 7,000 years of history, the Maltese Islands are steeped in culture and heritage. 

This historic legacy, unique in the Mediterranean, is reflected in the country’s national architecture and collections. There are so many areas of heritage and culture to be explored – the 16th century masterpiece Grandmasters’ Palace, which is now parliament, the “Sacra Infermeria”, which is now a fully equipped conference centre, the St. James Centre for Creativity – a superbly restored fortification where contemporary works of art are exhibited against the original rough-textured walls and rediscovered spaces. With these buildings, past and present blend into an enduring and admirable lesson in the art of living.

The arts have always played a large role in Maltese culture and continue to do so with cultural events occurring frequently. The National Museum of Fine Arts, housed in an exuberant Rococo building dating from the 1570’s, exhibits some magnificent art, ranging from the early Renaissance to modern times. Both established and budding artists are encouraged to display their efforts through publicly-supported programs. There is always an exhibition of some kind running. 

Theatre and music are also very popular in the Islands. A variety of theatres - including the Valletta's Manoel Theatre and two opera houses in Victoria (Gozo) - as well as several open-air venues offer wide selection of plays, musicals, operas and concerts.

For a list of Museums &Galleries,Archaeological Sites and other places of interest, visit our Attractions page or use the Interactive Map above.

 

Driving

 

In Malta and Gozo, driving is on the left. There are speed limits of 80 km/h on the open road and 50 km/h in built-up areas, unless otherwise indicated on relevant road signs. If you intend to rent a car or drive in Malta, it is advisable to take out comprehensive insurance. National or international driving licences are accepted.

 

Electricity

 

The electrical supply is 230 volts /- 10%.
The frequency of the supply is 50 hertz.
The three-pin rectangular plug system is used, as in Britain.
Adapters are very easy to find.

 

Language

 

The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English. Maltese, a language of Semitic origin written in the Latin script, is the national language of Malta. Over the centuries, it has incorporated many words derived from English, Italian and French. Italian is also widely spoken.

 

 

Malti - The Maltese Language

 

The Maltese language is a source of fascination to both visitors and linguists. The Maltese speak a unique language, Malti, the only Semitic language written in Latin characters. Through the ages, many foreign words, particularly English and Italian, have become part of the language. English, which is also an official language, is widely and fluently spoken and is the language of international business.

What is surprising is that the islanders managed to retain a unique language in face of so many others brought by various powers over the centuries. Maltese was largely only a spoken language until the latter half of the 19th century when its grammatical rules were defined and written down. The earliest written evidence of Maltese is a ballad by Pietro Caxaro, (d.1485). The Knights attempted to script it as well. The survival of the language is perhaps testament to the resilience of the Maltese to remain a distinct people and culture. Malti is thought to derive from the language of the ancient Phoenicians who arrived in Malta in 750 B.C.

The influence of the Arabs who made the Islands home from the 9th to 13th centuries is clear in the Maltese language who seroots are closelyakin to Arabic. Placenames and numbers are the most obvious examples of Arabic influence on the language. For non-native speakers trying to learn Malti, the most awkward sound is similar to the Arabic q - an almost silent, but difficult to master, glottal stop. Ify ou are interested in learning Maltese, several language schools on the islands run courses in Maltese for non-native speakers.

 

Gozo

 

Gozo is renowned as the mythical island of Calypso, who drew Homer's hero Ulysses to its shores for a seven-year hiatus. Thought here are only five kilometres of sea between Malta and Gozo, the islands are distinctly different from eachother. Gozo is a third of the size of Malta, more rural and tranquil, greener, less bustling but still full of life. While authentic houses of character have been renovated to suit the most exigent contemporary clients are the speciality of Gozo, the Island also has luxurious hotels. The size and natural setting of the island conspire to make it a prime location for high-power edboard meetings, small conferences, workshops and incentives.

Gozo is a must-visit location. It is almost always included in delegates' social programmes as well as pre and post conference leisure-time arrangements. It is particularly renowned for team-building events, dinners, barbeques, active day tours and outdoor events. Moreover, the Island is a conference and incentive destination in its own right, and has the facilities to prove it. Gozo's colours and flavours are brought out by the radiant skies above it and the blue sea which surrounds its spectacular coast, which is simply waiting to be discovered. Few destinations radiate the warm, magical charm of Gozo. Even fewer can effortlessly blend work with pleasure, in a setting which is peaceful and intriguingat once.