Our EU Member-state island of Malta is tucked away in the Mediterranean Sea like a well-hidden treasure chest, Malta is that tiny but mighty archipelago just south of Sicily.

Think of it as Italy’s fabulous little sister who moved out and made it big on her own. We’re a proud EU member state, consisting of three islands: Malta (the showoff), Gozo (the laid-back one), and Comino (the mysterious middle child).

Fun fact: You can fly here from Sicily in about the same time it takes to watch a TikTok compilation – just 20 minutes!

Imagine a postcard-perfect island drenched in sun, history, and intrigue. We’re the EU’s smallest country, with Valletta as its tiniest capital, a Semitic language dressed in Latin letters, and a knack for getting featured in epic movies like Troy, Gladiator 1 & 2, Napoloen, Assassins’ creed and Game of Thrones (season 1…Yes we’re still bragging about it)).

History, beaches, and scandalous tales—what more could you want?

Oh honey, we’re not just friendly – we’re aggressively hospitable.Whilst every country has its fair share of goblins, in Malta, most of these goblins hide under rocks and those Maltese you’ll encounter are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet, always excited to help out and make new friends. 

BEWARE – Asking for directions may result in having a long conversation and the whole life story of a town or the person Infront of you 🙂

As most Mediterranean countries, we are warm:

• Ask for directions, get a life story (free of charge!)
• We talk with our hands so much we could probably communicate underwater
• What sounds like an argument is usually just us discussing what to have for lunch
• We’re direct enough to make a New Yorker blush
• Expect random “Bonġu!” (good morning) greetings from complete strangers

Warning: Side effects of Maltese friendliness may include unexpected dinner invitations, impromptu history lessons, (especially from us) and the inability to walk down a street without starting three conversations.

Maltese culture and life does come as a culture shock to countries where it’s a custom not to smile or talk to random strangers.

Here in Malta it’s the other way round, Maltese people might look at you strangely …if you don’t smile back, say hello , good morning (Bonġu) as respect or nod.

When encountering a Maltese person, making Eye contact followed by a “Bonġu”  is encouraged, and is normally returned with a hello 🙂 

• St. Julian’s/Sliema: For those who think sleep is overrated
• Valletta and Three Cities: History buffs and Instagram addicts
• Mdina: Silent City (literally, we’ll shush you)
• Rabat: town outside Mdina, quiet too
• Mellieħa: Beach lovers and sunscreen enthusiasts
• Gozo: For when you want Malta on decaf

Malta is like your favorite party guest: fun all year round. 

• Summer (June–August) is for swimming.
• Spring (March–May) is breezy and blooming.
• Autumn (September–November) is still warm enough for a dip.
• Winter (December–February) offers cozy walks with a side of green landscapes.

Our weather forecast is basically mostly “sunny with a chance of more sun”:

• Spring (March-May): Perfect selfie weather, around 19°C
• Summer (June-August): Hot enough to fry an egg on our UNESCO sites, 31°C (with the occasional up to 40°C)
• Autumn (September-November): Summer’s relaxed cousin, 22-24°C
• Winter (December-February): What other countries call “pleasant spring,” 14°C

Pro tip: If you see a Maltese person wearing a puffer jacket when it’s 18°C, don’t judge – we’re delicate Mediterranean flowers.

Technically yes, but it tastes like its seawater roots. I never drink tap water unless it’s filtered. For your palate and planet, go for local glass-bottled water—it’s delicious and guilt-free.

Pretty solid, and available in most public areas and accommodations. Malta’s hospitality extends to its signal strength.

Seven years running as Europe’s best for LGBTIQ+ rights. If that doesn’t scream “welcome,” nothing does.

Officially, no. Unofficially, some secluded spots might allow you to bare all without judgment—just from us and NOT the authorities..So watch out and don’t get caught with your pants down!

Shops generally follow the Maltese way of life: open when they feel like it. Most operate 9 am–1 pm and 4 pm–7 pm, but in tourist areas, you’ll find them open till late. Sundays? Good luck!

While not mandatory, tipping is a lovely way to say, “Thanks for putting up with my terrible directions.” A cheeky 10% should do the trick.

• We’re smaller than most shopping malls (316 square kilometers)
• Valletta is the EU’s tiniest capital (but with the biggest personality)
• We’re the only country that speaks a Semitic language with Latin letters (we’re special like that)
• Game of Thrones filmed here (yes, we’re still bragging about it)
• We’ve topped European LGBTIQ+ rights rankings seven years running (love is love is love)

1. Pastizzi – Like a croissant had a love child with ricotta cheese
2. Ftira – A sandwich that makes other sandwiches feel inadequate
3. Rabbit Stew – Not the Easter Bunny, we promise
4. Ħobż biż-żejt – Bread with stuff that will change your life
5. Timpana – Pasta in a pie because why not?
6. Braġioli – Beef olives that contain no actual olives
7. Qassatat – Like pastizzi’s sophisticated cousin
8. Imqaret – Date-filled pastries that are definitely worth the calories and my favourite deadly sin after a tour.
9. Ġbejniet – Cheese that makes you forget about French cheese
10. Kannoli – Yes, we borrowed it from Sicily. No, we won’t give it back.

• Money: We use Euros (those colorful papers with buildings on them)
• Power: Type G plugs (the chunky British ones), 230V
• Drinking Age: 17 (yes, really)
• Driving: Left side, like the Brits (blame colonialism)
• Tipping: 10% is nice, but we’ll love you anyway
• Wi-Fi: Available everywhere except when you really need it
• Shopping Hours: 9am-1pm, 4pm-7pm (we believe in afternoon naps, but if you like shopping don’t fret as the major outlets do not and stay open)
• Tap Water: Safe, so they say,  but tastes like you’re licking a swimming pool
• Cannabis: Legal to possess up to 7g (but no smoking in public)

At Malta Themed Tours our guides are born, bred, and baked under the Maltese sun, we’re as local as it gets. While we speak perfect English, we also speak fluent Maltese hand gestures and can translate local grandma dialects, and always with a cheeky pirate’s grin.

Our Maltese family trees have more roots here than our ancient olive trees and we’ll tell you all you won’t find on the guide books or Google, carried from one generation without wifi, to the next.

Remember: A tour with us isn’t just a tour – it’s an immersive time travelling experience and like hanging out with your most knowledgeable local friend from years ago who happens to be a history nerd with a sense of humor, (and a cheeky rogue when in character as the subject person from the past being portrayed)

If you want to discover what 95% of visitors miss, welcome abroad!

Still have questions? We’ve probably got answers, or at least creative ways to avoid answering them. Drop us a line!