Malta Tourist Information

Weather

The Maltese Islands are blessed with one of the most agreeable climates in the Mediterranean. The climate is a typically Mediterranean one with hot, dry summers, warm autumns and short, cool winters with adequate rainfall.
The weather is warm even in winter and there is no fog, frost or snow. The hottest period is mid-July to the end of September, but the nights are tempered by cool breezes from the surrounding sea.

Month Hours of
Bright Sunshine
Rainfall
mm
Temperature Sea
Max. Min.
C F C F C F
January 5.02 95.5 15.5 59 9.6 49.3 15.3 59.5
February 6.28 62.9 15.7 60.3 9.4 48.9 14.9 58.8
March 7.14 42.4 17 62.6 10.3 50.5 15.1 59.2
April 8.28 26.6 19.3 66.7 11.9 53.4 15.8 60.4
May 9.53 9.7 23.8 74.8 15 59 17.6 63.7
June 10.92 0.8 28.1 82.6 18.8 65.8 21.1 70
July 11.71 0.4 31.1 88 21.1 70 24 75.2
August 10.82 5.3 31.5 88.7 22.1 71.8 25.7 78.3
September 8.51 49.9 28.4 83.1 20.4 68.7 25 77
October 6.99 82.1 24.6 76.3 18.1 64.6 23.1 73.6
November 5.89 93.7 20.3 68.5 14.5 58.1 20.4 68.7
December 5.05 98.4 17 62.6 11.1 52 17.2 63
Yearly Average 8 567.7 * 22.7 72.9 15.2 59.4 19.6 67.3

Period of observations is 1st January 1971 to 31st December 2000
* denotes average annual rainfall

Data collected and supplied by the Meteorological Office, Malta International Airport plc.

Malta and Gozo Statistics

Malta
Population - 370,000
Airport - Malta International Airport Airport (located between the villages of Luqa and Gudja, 10kms from Valletta)
Geographical size - 30.0 km x 14.0 km Geographical size - 14.5 km

Gozo
Population- 28,000
No airport (Heliport)
Geographical size - 14.5 km

The Maltese Archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, with Malta 93kms south of Sicily and 288kms north of Africa.
Gibraltar is 1,826kms to the West and Tel Aviv is 1,940kms to the East.


Money Matters

From 1st January 2008, Malta entered in the EURO zone making the official currency the EURO.
Banks, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and exchange bureaux can be found all over the Islands.

Any amount of foreign currency may be brought into Malta as long as it is declared on arrival.

Banks are normally open between 08.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. Some banks work longer hours. Summer and winter opening hours may differ.

Most hotels and restaurants, as well as many shops, accept Access, American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club International, Mastercard and Visa.

Average Currency Conversions
1 Euro = 0.75 UK Sterling
1 Euro = 1.48 US Dollar

Shop Opening Hours

Commercial centres and shops are usually easily accessible by public or
private transport. Shops are normally open between 9.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m.
and between 4.00 p.m. and 7 p.m.

In tourist areas, many shops remain open till 10.00 p.m. Shops are normally
closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

There are duty-free shops in arrivals (airside) and departures (airside) halls
at Malta International Airport.

Chemists

One can find chemists throughout the islands and these are open during normal shopping hours.
On Sundays, chemists open on a roster from 09.00 until 12.30 in Malta and from 07.30 until 11.00 in Gozo. Check the local Sunday newspapers for details of the roster.

Public National Holidays

January 1 – ph – New Year’s Day
February 10 – ph - Feast of St.Paul's Shipwreck
March 19 – ph - Feast of St.Joseph
March 31 – nh - Freedom Day
April 9 – ph -
May 1 – ph – workers’ day
June 7 – nh - Sette Giugno
June 29 – ph -Feast of St.Peter & St.Paul
August 15 – ph -Feast of the Assumption
September 8 – nh -Victory Day
September 21 – nh - Independence Day
December 8 – ph - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 13 – nh - Republic Day
December 25 – ph – Christmas Day

Value Added Tax

Visitors to the Islands can reclaim VAT provided that they live outside EU states. Repayment of VAT only applies to goods valued at not less than EUR 60 and bought from a single registered outlet on the Islands, as shown on the receipt, and when the total value of the items is not under EUR 233. If you wish to get a VAT refund, you should fill out an application form available at the custom exit points at the airport or seaport.

Postal Service

Letters to Europe 40 Euro cents

Health

Travellers do not normally require certificates of vaccination or insulation to enter the Maltese Islands. It is advisable to take out a personal medical insurance policy. Malta has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom. Nationals of these countries, visiting the Islands for no longer than one month, are entitled to free medical and hospital care in both Malta and Gozo.

Visitors receiving special medical treatment should bring a medical prescription or a letter of introduction from their family doctor, in case they need to purchase particular medicines. Tap water is safe to drink.

Useful Contact Telephone Numbers

Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Palazzo Parisio
Merchants Street, VALLETTA
Tel: (00356) 21242853

Immigration Police
Police Headquarters, FLORIANA
Tel: (00356) 21224001-7

Air Malta Head Office
Air Malta p.l.c.,
Head Office, Luqa, LQA 01, MALTA.
Tel: (356) 21690890, 21229990
Fax: (356) 21673241

Malta International Airport
Luqa, LQA 05.
Tel: (00356) 21249600, 21697800
Fax: (00356) 21249563

Malta Tourism Authority
Auberge d'Italie, Merchants Street
Valletta CMR 02, MALTA.
Tel: (356) 22915000
Fax: (356) 22915893

Useful Telephone Numbers
Police 191
Ambulance 196
Fire 199
St.Lukes Hospital 21241251/21247860
Gozo General Hospital 21561600
Time Check 195
Overseas Operator 1152
Directory Enquiries 1182
Rates of Exchange 21247480
Flight Enquiries 21249600/21697800
Gozo Ferry Service Schedule 21556016/21556114
Helicopter Service Malta – Gozo 21244554