MALTA


The Maltese archipelago lies at the center of the Mediterranean Sea: 80 km south of Italy and 284 km east of Tunisia. Malta has 3 main islands, Malta, Gozo, and Comino, and a combined population of about 445,000 inhabitants over 316 square kilometers. The other islands – Cominotto, Filfla, St. Paul’s Islands, and Manoel Island –  are even smaller and uninhabited.

Getting to Malta

By air


Malta is well connected to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. All major Low-Cost Carriers such as RyanAir and EasyJet operate daily flights to the Island. The national airline, AirMalta, also offers competitive prices with high-quality service. Emirates flies between Dubai and Malta via Larnaca and to/from Australia, Asia, India, and other parts of the Middle East.

All flights arrive and depart from Malta International Airport (MIA), located in the south of Malta. The airport includes all the facilities you need: ATMs and currency exchange, a tourist office which opens daily, WIFI, and regular, inexpensive bus connections to Malta‘s major towns and to the Gozo ferry.

By sea


Malta has a regular ferry to and from Sicily (Catania, Pozzallo and Augusta), central Italy (Civitavecchia), and northern Italy (Genoa).

The Maltese Islands are also included in several cruise itineraries.

Its location also makes Malta a popular stop for yachtsmen cruising the Mediterranean.

Interesting Facts

  • Capital city

    Valetta

  • UE member?

    Yes, since 2004.

  • Languages

    Maltese & English

  • Currency

    Euro

  • Area

    316 Km²

  • Time

    +1 GMT

  • Population

    More than 445.000

  • Country Code

    (+356)

  • Emergency

    112

Climate, sea and touristic seasons

Climate


Malta’s climate is typical of the Mediterranean, with strong influences from the sea. The Maltese Islands boast 300 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures drop to 10ºC in winter and can exceed 37ºC in summer. The warm season lasts 8 months, from mid-April to November.

Summers are hot, dry, and very sunny. Day-time temperatures are often mitigated by cooling sea breezes. Spring and autumn are cooler, except when the occasional Sirocco wind from Africa brings high temperatures and humidity. Winters are mild, with the occasional short cold spells brought by winds from central Europe.

Sea


Malta sea temperature varies from 16ºC in winter to 32ºC in summer, so bathing in the sea is quite possible during the ‘winter' months. The sea is warmer in autumn than in spring.

Malta has been voted the ‘Best Diving in the Mediterranean’ and ‘3rd Best Diving in the World’ in a recent poll by International Diver Magazine.

When to go

Low Season (Nov–Feb): November and December temperatures average 10°C to 18°C. January and February are the coldest months. The north-easterly wind called Grigal occasionally disrupts the Gozo ferry service. Christmas to New Year is a mini-high season.

Shoulder Season (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct): Warm and sunny with the occasional rainfall or hot and humid wind. The Holy Week is an interesting time to be in Malta as tourists will have the chance to enjoy the Good Friday procession taking place in almost every town in Malta.

High Season (Jun–Aug): Daytime temperatures in July and August can go beyond 37°C. Beaches are busy and accommodation get booked quickly. Summer is also the season for festas and music festivals. Festas are the celebration of the village’s patron saint. Each celebrates its patron saint by putting on a spectacular fireworks show.  

People gathered on a square in front of a church

Maltese

The Maltese people are known for being particularly welcoming. Their friendly nature and warmth of character mean that they are always eager to help and  make visitors feel at home.

Seafood platter

Food

Malta has an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Seafood is quite common, but it is the fusion of Italian and North African influences that really make Malta a gastronomic destination.

Maltese electric plugs

Electricity

The electrical supply is 240 Volts, a frequency of 50 hertz, with a 3-pin British style plug.

Adapters are very easy to find.

Maltese tap water

Water

Tap water is safe to drink.

Local and imported bottled mineral water is available from shops, supermarkets, restaurants and bars.

 stethoscope

Healthcare

Malta has a very high standard of healthcare, both private and public. Hospitals are well-equipped and well-funded, and there are many regional health centers located all over the Island.

Maltese police car in the street

Security

Malta has low levels of crime which makes it one of the safest places to live.

As well as a perfect spot for holiday destination.

Custom agent writing in a notebook

Customs

Prices to import goods from outside the European Union depend on the value of the goods. More information can be found at:
https://customs.gov.mt/

Driving

Driving is on the left. There are speed limits of 80 km/h on the open road and 50 km/h in towns. National or international driving licenses are accepted.

Getting around


The small size of the Maltese Islands makes getting around easy. Public transport is inexpensive and efficient. Renting a car, a motorcycle, or a bicycle provides the freedom to explore at your own pace. Then there are taxis (regular and Uber-like), coaches and minivans, horse-drawn carriages, ferries, pleasure cruises, and even seaplane.

White and green bus of Malta Transport

Public Transport

The public bus service serves the major tourist areas, goes practically everywhere, and is inexpensive and efficient. Due to the traffic, delays are however to be expected.

White taxis parked on the street

Taxis

Classic, shared, and Uber-like taxis are available island-wide. It is best to book them by phone or online.
Water taxis are also available in Grand Harbour.

car key

Rentals

Renting a car is recommended to get to the farther reaches of the island. For a more ecological option, electronic cars, scooters, motorbikes, quads, and bicycles are available.

Gozo Ferry

Ferry

A regular and a fast ferry service link Malta to Gozo. There are also regular boat services between each island and Comino as well as between some cities in Malta.

What to do?

Freediver underwater ascending in constant weight in blue water

FREEDIVING & Scuba Diving

All three islands have a range of dive sites to choose from, including gentle reefs that slope away from 5 to 30 meters, caverns, world-class wreck diving in depths from 15 to 40 meters, as well as drop offs from 5 to 50m.

The diversity makes diving here some of the most interesting in the Mediterranean. The calmness and the clarity of the sea make for excellent visibility (average of 30metres)

Malta is a dream destination for freedivers and divers alike because of its clear warm waters, lack of tides, and few currents.

Also, thanks to its excellent weather, Malta has become the perfect destination for those wishing to escape the European cold and freedive and dive in winter.

No surprise Malta is one of the best diving destinations in the world.

two parasailors in the sky

Outdoor
activities

With an agreeable year-round climate, it will not be hard to engage in a sports activity while in Malta: golf course, miniature golf, tennis, squash, football, cycling, climbing, fencing, etc. Obviously, watersports play a major role in the activity range of the island: paragliding, windsurfing, wakeboarding, water skiing, scuba diving and of course, freediving.

Medieval metallic armors standing in a stone wall

History
& Culture

The culture enthusiasts will not be disappointed. Malta is full of history and culture, especially cities like the baroque capital Valletta, the medieval walled cities Mdina, Birgu, Bormla and Isla. Malta and Gozo’s towns and villages come alive with street decorations, statues, flags, food stalls and band marches for their festas.

Empty classroom

Language
learning

With over 40 language schools, Malta is one of the hotspots for English language learners.

Excellent weather, a vast array of activities, delicious food, and unlimited opportunities to practice English are a few reasons that make Malta one of the best places to learn English.

People dancing in a night club under light beams

Night
life

Nightlife on the island is always bustling. The streets of Paceville, St Julians and Sliema are lined with restaurants, bars, cafes, and nightclubs.


The calendar of cultural events is often full with events like the Malta Arts Festival, the Opera Festival, etc.

Interested in learning FREEDIVING?

APNEA
TOTAL
Discover
Freediving
Freediver
Course
Static
Apnea
Advanced
Freediver
Master
Freediver
Freediving
Instructor
Duration1 day2 days1 day3 days4 weeks4 weeks
Max. Depth12 metres20 metres40 metres60 metresThere is no limit
Pre-requisitesSwim 200 metres
+11y (with parent consent)
Swim 200 metres
+11y (with parent consent)
FREEDIVER cert.
(or equivalent)
FREEDIVER cert.
(or equivalent)
ADV. FREEDIVER
(or equivalent)
MASTER FREED.
Others
Equipment Included Included Included Included Included Included
Included Photos
Snacks
Drinks
Transportation*
Online course materials
Photos
Snacks
Drinks
Transportation*
Online course materials
Photos
Snacks
Drinks
Transportation*
Online course materials
Photos
Snacks
Drinks
Transportation*
Online course materials
Photos
Online course materials
Photos
Online course materials
CertificationDiploma
Price130 €230 €130 €320 €1200€1200 €
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