Customs and Duty Free

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The duty free allowance for adults is 200 Cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250grams of tobacco as well as one liter bottle of spirits and one litre bottle of wine. 

Lost Luggage: Call Malta International Airport on 697800 extension 6064 or Air Malta on 242900

 

Transport from the Airport: 

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Luqa International Airport is no more than 15 minutes drive from the Capital ,Valletta, and 45 minutes drive to Cirkewwa ferry Harbor. Taxis are available at the Airport but are generally very expensive . If you decide to take a Taxi , make sure you agree a price before setting off and make sure the meter is on. (more on transport and getting around)

 

Telecommunications: 

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Malta's International calling Code is 00356 . Local and International calls can be made from any Maltacom Public Telephone boxes accepting their Cards and and coins. You can obtain a Telecard from local banks, Postoffices, Souvenier shops and the Malta International Airport. The Cellphone network is operated by Vodafone and GoMobile. G Cards are also available in two denominations of LM6 and LM 12. For more information about G Cards call 0800 77 2363 and authorized G card resellers. Internet Since a significant  increase in popularity and  use of the Internet on the islands, a large number of coffee shops in Malta and Gozo now offer Internet Cafe services. 

Important Tel. Nos

• 00      International Direct Dialling Access Code from Malta
• 356    Malta Country Code
• 191    Police
• 196    Ambulance
• 199    Fire
• 150    Star Services
• 133    Telephone Faults
• 190    Directory Enquiries
• 194    Overseas Operator
• 195    Time check
• 153    Government Information Service
• 179    Support line for abused children & adults
• 21244371    AFM Helicopter Section
• 21238797    AFM Patrol Boat Section
• 21247858    Price Control

Driving in Malta:

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Driving s on the left. There is a speed limit of 80km/hr- 50mph on highways and 50kph in urban areas. Third party insurance  is  standard by law.

Foreign visitors driving their own cars or locally hired or rented cars do not require to have their licenses endorsed. However , it is advisable to have your driving license with you. (More on Transport and getting around)

Auto Accidents: In the event of an accident call the Police on 191 and if required an Ambulance on 196. You should also inform your Car hire agent immediately. In the case of Bumper to bomber collisions, a standard form is filled inIf in Doubt, wait on the spot for the local Police to arrive and assist. For Gozo, Call 562040/4.

Car hire Insurance: If you hire a car, collision cover is often called collision damage waiver or CDW. CDW is normally offered by the hirer, and is compulsory by law..

Baby Requisites: All well known brands ,products of baby milk , nappies and medicines are available from local pharmacies and supermarkets.

Money and Banks

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Banks are the best place to change money; they almost always offer a significantly better rate than any other establishment. Restaurants and taxis expect a 10% tip. All major credit cards are widely accepted. Bargaining for handicrafts at stalls or markets is essential, but most shops have fixed prices. There's a 15% value-added tax on all consumer items.

Currency: Malta lira (Lm)
Exchange rate: US$1 = Lm0.40  or 1LM=fluctuates between 2.3USD to 2.7USD

CREDIT CARDS: Lost Credit Cards: If you loose your card whilst on the Island, Call 234821 CREDIT CARD CENTER

Local Banks

FOR CURRENCY EXCHANGE: All Mayjor currencies are exchanged on the Maltese Islands/ Visa, Mastercard , Cirrus, Eurocard, Diners ,and American Express, are widely accepted.   (More)

Electricity:

Electricity is expensive. 240 volts, 50cycles. Three-pin square British style plugs are used.. Visitors from the UK can use their normal 3 pin plug items. Visitors from elsewhere may need an adapter.

Emergency Tel: nos: 

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• Ambulance dial 196
• Fire and Crime dial 199
• Traffic Accidents dial 191

 

Health 

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For visitors arriving from the US , Canada ,Austrailia and Europe, no inoculations are required. Malta follows the World Health Organizations recommendations for health safety. Pharmacists and Chemists have quite wide prescribing powers and most well known prescribed drugs are available here. Visitors with specific requirements must ensure they have an adequate supply of medication, or bring a prescription to present to  the pharmacist or doctor.

Pet Importation

Any dog/cat imported into Malta must have an import permit issued by the Director of Veterinary Service prior to import. It is advisable to apply 6 weeks prior to import to allow for vaccination and resting prior to import.

Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries' Veterinary Service (Telphone: 239968, 225930) in Malta must be notified of the exact date of the animal's arrival at least one week before and also whether the animal will be accompanied or not. Call the Quarantine Station on 244236 with flight or vessel details.

The importation of animals is only allowed during office hours - 7.30 am to 5.00 pm. Animals will not be accepted on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.

Cats and dogs imported from the United Kingdom are quarantined at the Small Animal Quarantine Section at Luqa for three weeks, from other countries the quarantine period can be up to six months. An import licence, from the Department of Trade, and an entry form (Number 2) from the Customs Department must be completed before the release of the cat or dog from quarantine.

For more information, please contact:

• Director of Veterinary Service
  Albertown
  Marsa
  Tel: +356 225638, 225930
  Fax: +356 238105

 

Pharmacies

There are numerous pharmacies and chemiss throughout the islands, though they have no recogniseable symbol by which to identify them. They keep normal shopping hours, from 0830 or 0900 untill 1300hrs and then 1600hrs to 1900hrs.

Shopping:

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Malta opens early for business and the working day usually starts at 0830 to 1700hrs. In the Summer months work will start and finnish even earlier. Shops are generally open 0930 to 1900hrs with a long siesta like lunch break between 1230 and 1600hrs.

Restaurants & Nightlife

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Bars, restaurants and cafes are normally open between 9.00 a.m. and 1.00 a.m. and beyond. Alcohol may be bought up to 1.00 a.m. Most hotel bars close at 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm, and some open after 6.00 p.m. Restaurants are not generally open before 11.30 a.m. and between 3.00 pm and 7.00 pm.

Currency: Malta lira (Lm)
Exchange rate: US$1 = Lm0.40  or 1LM=fluctuates between 2.3USD to 2.7USD

Relative costs:

·          Budget restaurant : US$5-10

·          Moderate restaurant: US$10-25

·          Top-end restaurant: US$25 and upwards  

Beer
Maltese beer is excellent. Foreign beers are also available, but are more expensive Recommended local beer: ask for "CISK".

Wine
There is a wide variety of good Maltese wines at very reasonable prices. Well known foreign wines are also widely available. Recommended local wine: Cabernet Sauvignon by Marsovin, La Vallette.

 

MEDIA: English _Language newspapers are available. Foreign Newspapers are available  from local stationeries and supermarkets by  late afternoon. In Gozo, Foreign Newspapers usually arrive the following day

Children:

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Although there aren't many specific attractions for Children, many are thrilled to visit the film set of POPEYE, retained after shooting as a ramshackle harbour village at Anchor Bay. There is also the New "Rinella theme park" which is built around the same idea as Popeye's village with a little more. In St. Julians a new state of the art 3D Cinema has been opened as well as an Ice skating ring has recently opened, providing entertainment all round

The Sandy beaches (rather than the Rocky) beaches are ideal for children and youngsters to use up energy; Older children might like to delve into the undersea and go snorkeling. The summer months provide a colorful spectacle.

Weather and Climate:

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The temperature averages 14.1° C in winter (Nov-April) and 32° C in summer (May-Oct). The sun shines for an average of 6.46 hrs each day in winter and 10.11 hrs in summer. The hottest period is from mid July to mid September. More weather details

Country Data

Full country name: Republic of Malta
Area: 320 sq km (124 sq mi)
Population: 376,000
Capital city: Valletta (pop: 9200)
People: Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish
Language: Maltese and English
Religion: Roman Catholic (98%)
Government: Constitutional parliamentary monarchy
President: Guido de Marco
Prime Minister: Eddie Fenech Adami
Health risks: None
Time: GMT/UTC plus 1 hour
Electricity: 250V, 50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric