Useful Tips
Here are some useful things:
If you are going to go shopping for food you should go in one of the bigger supermarket-chains, like Scotts, Towers or Arkadia. The small shops are more expensive - you will see the difference in your wallet soon.
If you are going to discover the island you should think about hiring a car. Especially if you are a small group of 4 or 5 people, when divided, the cost will be comparable to the prices of the bus fares.
Opening hours in Malta are much different from others in the world. During the summer (July to September) most of the shops and government offices open only from 8am to 1pm. During the winter from 8am to 1pm and from 4pm to 7pm. Supermarkets and tourist-shops are open from 7am to 7pm. There are some exceptions like the Bay-Street Complex in which the shops remain open till 10pm every day. However the shops in Valletta are closing down at 7pm.
Prepare for composure. Malta is a calm place - there is no hustle. Don’t be angry, just relax!
If you have any problems or you can’t find something, just ask for help. The people in Malta are very friendly and very helpful. One can easily meet new people and make new friends.
If you are going to stay for a long time in Malta you should think about buying a Vodafone or Go Mobile SIM-card (prepaid-card) for your mobile telephone. These can be purchased in almost any shop and cost around €10. The telephoning costs are €0.05 for each SMS (€0.23 for SMSs abroad) – but the costs for calling aren’t comparable cheap as sending SMS is. Depending on the telephone provider and to where you make the call you will have to pay around €23 and €60 for calls on the island.
Malta Board Community
Gozo |
Re: Mates in Malta |
Re: nightlife |
Vittoriosa (Birgu)
Vittoriosa (Birgu) is probably the nicest of the three peninsulas southwards of Valletta. The city was the first settlement around this area. When the Knights of St. John arrived in Malta in 1530 they set up camp in Vittoriosa and started to upgrade the fortifications, including the Fort St. Angelo. After the Great Siege of 1565 they moved to Valletta. Birgu has nowadays a population of 3000 and the fortifications are as impressive as those of Valletta. Behind every corner you can discover something new. The best way to enter the city is through the ‘Couvre Porte’ which was restored in 2002. Above is a modern gate which breaks through the fortification of the ‘Poste de Provence’ and is used as a road for cars.
Marsascala Bay
Marsascala Bay is really a very beautiful bay. However one finds very few swimming possibilities there and in the few ones the sea is only accessible by means of a ladder. The entire bay is surrounded by cliffs.
Marsaxlokk and the fish-market
The market in Marsaxlokk takes place every day, but on the weekend it is the biggest - especially on Sundays. Offered are fish (only till 12 o‘clock), smaller hardware, clothes, accessories, toys, souvenirs, shoes, CDs and DVDs, fruits and vegetables, etc.
◊Dingli Cliffs ◊GOZO ◊Peters pool ◊Marsascala Bay ◊Malta when it rains
