Europe · Southern Europe

Malta

Republic of Malta

Flag of Malta
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+01:00
🏛️ Capital
Valletta
👥 Population
574,250
📐 Area
316 km²
💱 Currency
euro (€)
🗣️ Languages
English, Maltese
📞 Calling Code
+356
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+01:00
🌐 Region
Europe / Southern Europe

About Malta

Malta is a Mediterranean masterpiece — a tiny archipelago of golden limestone islands sitting at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, where 7,000 years of human history are compressed into just 316 square kilometres of sun-bleached rock and shimmering azure sea. Its capital, Valletta, is one of the world's smallest yet most architecturally magnificent capital cities, a Baroque labyrinth of grand palaces, fortified walls, and cathedrals that earned the title of European Capital of Culture with complete justification. Almost everywhere you turn in Malta, you are walking through living history.

Beyond Valletta, the islands of Gozo and Comino offer contrasting escapes. Gozo is rural, slow-paced, and intensely local — a landscape of rolling fields, honey-colored villages, and cliffside temples that predate the Egyptian pyramids by a thousand years. Comino is almost uninhabited and home to the Blue Lagoon, a shallow cove of impossibly transparent water that draws swimmers and snorkelers from across Europe every summer. Malta's coastline, pocked with hidden coves, sea caves, and crystal-clear bays, offers some of the Mediterranean's finest diving and swimming.

Malta punches far above its weight as a cultural, historical, and culinary destination. The Knights of St. John, the Roman Empire, the Phoenicians, the Arabs, the British — all left their marks on these islands, layering a palimpsest of influences that makes Maltese identity unlike anything else in Europe. The Maltese language itself, the only Semitic language written in Latin script, is a living testament to this extraordinary cultural crossroads. Whether you are drawn by history, beaches, diving, food, or simply superb weather for most of the year, Malta consistently exceeds expectations for visitors of every persuasion.

History & Background

Malta's history reads like a compendium of the ancient world's greatest civilizations. The Megalithic Temples of Ggantija, Hagar Qim, and Mnajdra, built between 3600 and 2500 BC, are among the oldest freestanding stone structures on earth — predating Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza. These extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Sites testify to a sophisticated prehistoric civilization about which remarkably little is known, making them all the more fascinating. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Aragonese all held Malta before the arrival of the Knights of St. John in 1530.

The Knights — the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John — transformed Malta into one of the most formidable fortified archipelagos in the world, and their greatest hour came in the Great Siege of 1565, when a force of roughly 6,000 knights and Maltese soldiers repelled an Ottoman invasion force of over 40,000. This victory became one of the defining moments of European history. The British then held Malta from 1800 to 1964, leaving a profound imprint on everything from driving conventions to the legal system, and the island's extraordinary resistance during the Second World War Blitz — for which the entire island was awarded the George Cross — remains a source of immense national pride.

Culture & People

Maltese culture is a uniquely layered fusion of Mediterranean, Semitic, and European influences, shaped by the island's position at the center of centuries of geopolitical rivalry. Catholicism is deeply embedded in Maltese identity — the island claims to be one of the earliest Christian nations, having converted following Saint Paul's shipwreck on Malta in 60 AD, as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles. Every village has its own patron saint and celebrates an annual festa with elaborate street decorations, band marches, fireworks displays, and processions that last for days. These festas are among the most joyful and community-centered celebrations you can witness anywhere in Europe.

The Maltese language is a source of extraordinary national pride and cultural uniqueness. A hybrid of Arabic, Sicilian Italian, and English, Maltese (Malti) is the only Semitic language using the Latin alphabet and is recognized as an official language of the European Union. The arts scene in Malta has flourished in recent decades, with Valletta's galleries and performance spaces hosting international contemporary work alongside exhibitions celebrating the islands' heritage of Baroque art, filigree silverwork, and handmade lace. The tradition of lace-making (bizzilla) survives particularly on Gozo, where elderly women still weave intricate patterns in doorways as their grandmothers did before them.

Food & Cuisine

Maltese cuisine is a Mediterranean delight reflecting the island's layered history — Italian influence in the pasta and pastry traditions, Arabic echoes in the use of spices and preserved foods, and a proud local identity built around seasonal produce, fresh seafood, and celebrated local cheeses. The pastizzi is Malta's most beloved street snack: a flaky, diamond-shaped pastry filled with either ricotta cheese or mushy peas, sold for cents from glass-fronted pastizzeriji. You will quickly develop an irrational attachment to them. Ftira — a traditional sourdough flatbread filled with tuna, capers, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh vegetables — is the Maltese answer to the packed lunch and makes a superb beach picnic.

Rabbit (fenek) is the national dish and appears in virtually every form imaginable: braised slowly in wine and herbs, fried, made into pasta sauce, or roasted with vegetables. Lampuki — dolphin fish or mahi-mahi caught between August and November — is a seasonal delicacy often baked in a tomato and caper sauce or encased in pastry. Malta's extra-virgin olive oil, sun-ripened tomatoes, and local honey are outstanding. For dessert, imqaret — deep-fried date pastries — are a traditional treat, and the cheeselets known as gbejniet are a sharp, peppery local specialty that pairs wonderfully with Maltese bread and Maltese wine, which has been improving steadily in quality and international recognition.

Top Attractions

  • Valletta — Europe's smallest capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with Baroque grandeur, the stunning St. John's Co-Cathedral, and sweeping Grand Harbour views from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
  • Mdina (the Silent City) — A perfectly preserved medieval walled city perched on a hilltop, with narrow alleyways, noble palaces, and an atmosphere of profound quietude broken only by horse-drawn carriage wheels.
  • Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples — UNESCO-listed Megalithic temples dating to 3600 BC, among the world's oldest freestanding structures, positioned dramatically above the southern sea cliffs.
  • The Blue Lagoon, Comino — A shallow, crystalline turquoise lagoon between Comino and Cominotto islands, offering some of the Mediterranean's most photogenic swimming and snorkeling.
  • Azure Window Site and Inland Sea, Gozo — Although the Azure Window collapsed in 2017, the dramatic cliffs and the extraordinary Inland Sea — a landlocked lagoon connected to the open sea by a cave — remain spectacular diving and swimming destinations.
  • The Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua) — Three fortified peninsulas across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, offering Knights-era fortifications, waterfront promenades, and a far more local atmosphere than the capital.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Rent a car or hire a driver for exploring outside Valletta and the main bus routes — Gozo in particular is best appreciated with your own transport and the freedom to stop at hidden coves and villages.
  • Book the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum (a prehistoric underground sanctuary) weeks or months in advance — visitor numbers are strictly limited and it sells out well ahead of busy periods.
  • Use the Tallinja public bus app to navigate Malta's comprehensive and inexpensive bus network, which connects Valletta to most towns and resort areas.
  • The Blue Lagoon on Comino is extremely crowded from June to September — arrive on the first morning boat and plan to leave by early afternoon before the day crowds peak.
  • Crossing to Gozo is straightforward via the frequent Gozo Ferry from Cirkewwa; the crossing takes about 25 minutes and runs throughout the day and night.
  • Dress modestly when visiting churches — shoulders and knees must be covered, and many churches have shawls available at the entrance for visitors who need them.
  • Malta is compact enough that most attractions are within easy day-trip range of any base, so you only need a single accommodation to explore the whole island.

Visa Overview

Malta is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, meaning EU and Schengen member citizens may enter freely with a valid national ID card or passport. Citizens of many other countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, can visit Malta visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism purposes. Travelers from countries not covered by visa-free arrangements must apply for a Schengen visa through the Maltese embassy or consulate in their country. From 2025, travelers from visa-exempt non-EU countries will need to complete an ETIAS registration before entry.

Getting Around

Malta International Airport connects to dozens of European and international destinations year-round. Within Malta, the bus network is comprehensive, affordable, and covers most tourist areas, though services can be slow and crowded in peak summer. Taxis are readily available from the airport and major towns; the eCabs app is the most reliable way to book metered taxis. A hire car gives maximum freedom for exploring Gozo and Malta's countryside. The Gozo Ferry runs frequently from Cirkewwa in northern Malta and is the main link between the two islands. Water taxis and traditional luzzu ferries cross Valletta's Grand Harbour to the Three Cities.

Safety Notes

Malta is among the safest destinations in Europe, with low crime rates and a welcoming attitude toward tourists. Normal urban precautions apply in Valletta and Paceville (the main nightlife area), where petty theft can occur in crowded spaces. The main safety concern for visitors is the sea — strong currents exist at several cliff-dive spots and cave entrances, and the Mediterranean's deceptive calmness masks genuine hazards for inexperienced swimmers. Always check sea conditions before entering the water in remote coves. Sun and heat exhaustion are real risks in summer; hydrate well and use high SPF sunscreen.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Malta.

euro (EUR)
Updated: 2026-07-06
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 15.949281
AAVE 0.012938
ADA 6.090330
AED 4.198644
AFN 72.687638
AGIX 14.653548
AKT 1.822806
ALGO 12.771407
ALL 93.715249
AMD 420.687823
AMP 2,563.140894
ANG 2.061699
AOA 1,049.968938
APE 8.155490
APT 1.828050
AR 0.572736
ARB 14.293563
ARS 1,706.397805
ATOM 0.723000
ATS 13.760300
AUD 1.650375
AVAX 0.165594
AWG 2.046446
AXS 1.132201
AZM 9,717.759386
AZN 1.943552
BAKE 1,521.521968
BAM 1.955830
BAT 12.981393
BBD 2.286532
BCH 0.004737
BDT 140.934392
BEF 40.339900
BGN 1.955830
BHD 0.429868
BIF 3,403.510590
BMD 1.143266
BNB 0.001956
BND 1.477679
BOB 7.919585
BRL 5.908495
BSD 1.143266
BSV 0.077435
BSW 3,415.845850
BTC 0.000018
BTCB 21.573515
BTG 3.962033
BTN 108.924484
BTT 4,310,778.202359
BUSD 1.142293
BWP 15.430353
BYN 3.319956
BYR 22,410.177604
BZD 2.302612
CAD 1.624558
CAKE 0.789485
CDF 2,637.792313
CELO 17.016964
CFX 25.554029
CHF 0.919689
CHZ 63.326984
CLP 1,053.176301
CNH 7.764348
CNY 7.761272
COMP 0.068216
COP 3,821.401247
CRC 520.971136
CRO 19.127055
CRV 5.347923
CSPR 588.668145
CUC 1.143376
CUP 30.299475
CVE 110.2700
CVX 0.950574
CYP 0.585274
CZK 24.186247
DAI 1.143807
DASH 0.032500
DCR 0.102993
DEM 1.955830
DFI 1,376.082887
DJF 203.607530
DKK 7.474915
DOGE 14.794151
DOP 67.757151
DOT 1.310575
DYDX 8.656942
DZD 152.047465
EEK 15.646640
EGLD 0.413647
EGP 56.159478
ENJ 39.503862
EOS 15.783994
ERN 17.148990
ESP 166.3860
ETB 182.871710
ETC 0.160971
ETH 0.000643
EURC 1.000728
FEI 1.143672
FIL 1.447925
FIM 5.945730
FJD 2.567212
FKP 0.856850
FLOW 40.795582
FLR 164.477041
FRAX 1.155714
FRF 6.559570
FTT 4.799680
GALA 499.043181
GBP 0.856850
GEL 3.002840
GGP 0.856850
GHC 129,886.186361
GHS 12.988619
GIP 0.856850
GMD 84.309381
GMX 0.192922
GNF 10,023.628542
GNO 0.010875
GRD 340.750000
GRT 60.259003
GT 0.168638
GTQ 8.726603
GUSD 1.144776
GYD 239.303057
HBAR 15.140623
HKD 8.966681
HNL 30.607777
HNT 4.770791
HOT 3,168.153681
HRK 7.534500
HT 31.909137
HTG 149.647394
HUF 353.603071
ICP 0.518628
IDR 20,570.209465
IEP 0.787564
ILS 3.433987
IMP 0.856850
IMX 8.274737
INJ 0.234012
INR 108.924484
IQD 1,499.043340
IRR 1,573,228.768594
ISK 144.001544
ITL 1,936.270000
JEP 0.856850
JMD 181.119145
JOD 0.810576
JPY 185.037303
KAS 37.269854
KAVA 25.338993
KCS 0.158357
KDA 196.152856
KES 147.813810
KGS 99.994876
KHR 4,584.303728
KMF 491.967750
KNC 10.256361
KPW 1,029.039168
KRW 1,752.466471
KSM 0.324446
KWD 0.354755
KYD 0.951107
KZT 540.471024
LAK 25,848.153325
LBP 102,669.185320
LDO 4.232248
LEO 0.122148
LINK 0.143176
LKR 382.874215
LRC 93.050064
LRD 207.644501
LSL 18.582404
LTC 0.025327
LTL 3.452800
LUF 40.339900
LUNA 23.280219
LUNC 18,621.432255
LVL 0.702800
LYD 7.333327
MAD 10.705136
MANA 16.430289
MBX 45.458621
MDL 20.122768
MGA 4,851.480259
MGF 24,257.401295
MINA 24.115095
MKD 61.601743
MKR 0.000798
MMK 2,400.088668
MNT 4,097.623598
MOP 9.235681
MRO 456.586497
MRU 45.658650
MTL 0.429300
MUR 53.741133
MVR 17.674192
MWK 1,983.150655
MXN 19.983511
MXV 2.265944
MYR 4.661391
MZM 73,016.400614
MZN 73.016401
NAD 18.582404
NEAR 0.573792
NEO 0.577989
NEXO 1.486114
NFT 4,313,881.267151
NGN 1,566.593611
NIO 42.084613
NLG 2.203710
NOK 11.245652
NPR 174.360867
NZD 2.009463
OKB 0.014333
OMR 0.440020
ONE 914.672172
OP 10.634304
ORDI 0.352191
PAB 1.143266
PAXG 0.000275
PEN 3.893144
PEPE 419,153.813525
PGK 5.029557
PHP 70.325608
PI 10.106348
PKR 318.067727
PLN 4.292661
POL 15.545695
PTE 200.482000
PYG 6,954.060930
QAR 4.161488
QNT 0.017075
QTUM 1.608321
ROL 52,260.095818
RON 5.226010
RPL 0.564664
RSD 117.291974
RUB 88.097412
RUNE 2.764439
RVN 299.982382
RWF 1,675.880331
SAND 22.914164
SAR 4.287247
SBD 9.251377
SCR 16.337036
SDD 68,623.992676
SDG 686.239927
SEK 11.035756
SGD 1.477679
SHIB 261,122.105549
SHP 0.856850
SIT 239.640000
SKK 30.1260
SLE 26.112138
SLL 26,112.137915
SNX 4.992721
SOL 0.014169
SOS 652.851438
SPL 0.190544
SRD 43.037810
SRG 43,037.810297
SSP 5,429.582653
STD 24,681.801703
STN 24.681802
STX 6.685931
SUI 1.530284
SVC 10.003577
SYP 126.379793
SZL 18.582404
THB 38.002477
THETA 8.149578
TJS 10.597256
TMM 20,059.689343
TMT 4.011938
TND 3.370278
TOP 2.753336
TRL 53,522,506.924889
TRX 3.481290
TRY 53.522507
TTD 7.746755
TUSD 1.145661
TVD 1.650375
TWD 36.687679
TWT 3.325665
TZS 3,004.055907
UAH 50.950323
UGX 4,178.083222
UNI 0.361742
USD 1.143266
USDC 1.143620
USDD 1.144428
USDP 1.146724
USDT 1.144500
UYU 46.015386
UZS 13,682.375462
VAL 1,936.270000
VEB 73,676,464,017.7850
VED 736.699046
VEF 73,669,904.620052
VES 736.699046
VET 242.347559
VND 30,068.135851
VUV 137.411341
WAVES 4.302368
WEMIX 4.415912
WOO 96.554813
WST 3.162059
XAF 655.957000
XAG 0.018516
XAU 0.000275
XAUT 0.000275
XBT 0.000018
XCD 3.094677
XCG 2.061699
XCH 0.725428
XDC 40.687825
XDR 0.843258
XEC 215,226.956128
XEM 2,670.609044
XLM 5.726679
XMR 0.003533
XOF 655.957000
XPD 0.000900
XPF 119.331742
XPT 0.000698
XRP 0.998686
XTZ 4.594649
YER 270.946532
ZAR 18.582404
ZEC 0.002510
ZIL 370.612584
ZMK 20,978.141068
ZMW 20.978141
ZWD 413.747954
ZWG 30.666484
ZWL 76,627.085634

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Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Malta needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Malta?
The capital of Malta is Valletta.
What currency does Malta use?
Malta uses the euro (€) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Malta?
The official language(s) of Malta include English, Maltese.
What is the population of Malta?
Malta has a population of approximately 574,250 people.
What region is Malta in?
Malta is located in Europe, specifically in the Southern Europe subregion.
What is the international calling code for Malta?
The international dialing code for Malta is +356.
What time zones does Malta observe?
Malta observes the following time zone(s): UTC+01:00.
What is the current time in Malta?
The local time in Malta is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Malta?
Malta covers a total area of 316 km².
How many states or provinces does Malta have?
Malta is divided into 12 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Malta in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Malta in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Malta?
Visa requirements for citizens of Malta vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.