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Fact SheetTimeMalta is on central European Time (CET), that is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter and two hours ahead from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October. This means that people visiting from central Europe do not have to adjust their watches at all and those travelling from the UK have to move their time forward by an hour on arrival. For those travelling from the US or Australia, the islands are six hours ahead of Eastern Seaboard Time (EST) in winter and seven ahead from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in September. CurrencyThe Euro will become the official currency for Malta on the 1st January 2008. Till then the Maltese Lira (LM) will continue to be the only currency accepted. Legislation has been passed to ensure that throughout 2007 all items will also be priced in Euros to allow sufficient time for the locals to get accustomed to the change. The value of the LM has been tied to the Euro for a while which means that it fluctuates exactly like the Euro does. This and other measures were taken to avoid inflation and negative effects when in January 2008 the LM is abolished altogether. Most tourist establishments accept payment in Euros and other currencies. Change is usually given in LM. BanksBanking hours are usually between 8.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon Monday to Friday and banks are only open until 11.30 a.m. on Saturdays. Some banks are open to the public for longer hours. Winter and Summer opening hours may differ slightly. Foreign exchange facilities are available at the International Airport on a 24-hour basis all year round. There are also a number of automated foreign exchange machines scattered around the islands as well as automated teller machines (ATMs). A number of exchange brokers operate on both Malta and Gozo. On Gozo there are smaller banks in a few of the villages but the main branches are in the centre of Victoria. ATMs can be found at the Victoria branches, at Xlendi bay and at Marsalforn bay. Many hotels, restaurants, dive shops and larger shops can exchange currency. Their rates are generally slightly inferior to those available at banks. Credit CardsMost credit cards are accepted by hotels, restaurants, dive shops and many other retail outlets but it is always advisable to check on arrival whether or not your card is accepted by the particular establishment before buying the service. VISAMalta is part of the European Union. Those travelling to Malta with an EU passport do not require a Visa. For all other countries it is advisable that you check about visa and entry requirements before making your travel arrangements. For the latest information, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or contact an official Malta diplomatic representative near you. Details can also be obtained from: The Immigration Police ElectricityThe electrical supply is 240 volts, single phase, 50 cycles. The 13 amp, three-pin rectangular sockets are used in Malta. Electrical adapters can be bought from all hardware stores. Water Temperature and ClimateThe climate in Malta is warm and healthy. There are no biting winds,
fog, snow, or frost. Rain falls for only short periods and averages about
578 mm in a whole year. 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. The following table gives the monthly
averages taken over a 30 year period for hours of bright sunshine, temperatures
and rainfall:
(Source: Malta Tourist Office)
Current weather informationShoppingMost shops in Gozo are situated in and around the capital Victoria. Opening hours are usually from 8.30am to 12.30pm, then again in the afternoon between 4 and 7pm. A number of supermarkets are open all day between 7am and 7pm. In each of Gozo’s 14 villages there typically are a few shops, usually a small grocer’s shop, a butcher, a baker, a hardware store and most importantly a couple of bars. When on Gozo, it is a must to stop in a village or two to have a drink and a chat with the local men in a village bar and a band or political party club. Look out for the village bars that have not been refurbished in the better part of a century. In larger more populous villages there are usually several shops in and around the main street or near the main church square. There is a daily open-air market in ‘Pjazza it-Tokk’ in Victoria. Several coffee shops and fruit vendors surround this beautiful square and it buzzes with life from early in the morning. The vegetables and fruits for sale here and in all villages on Gozo are often cut fresh that same day. Public TransportMalta's public transport system offers a cheap and efficient way of touring the Island. The main bus terminus is at Valletta from where buses operate to all parts of Malta, although there are also direct, point to point, services. The most expensive route costs about one Euro. Public transport on Gozo is more basic because the population is much less than what it is on Malta. The main terminus is in Victoria and there are buses to each of the 14 villages but the timing can be inconvenient. The one bus route that is extremely efficient is that between the Mgarr ferry terminal and Victoria. The charm of Gozo, its bays, creeks, cliffs and villages can be explored much easier with a hired car. Car hire here is extremely good value Taxis and Car HireThere are 2 types of Taxis, those which are pre booked and the white taxis which wait at strategic places like the Ferry terminal and Victoria centre. The white taxi drivers are always eager to strike a deal and be your chauffeur for the whole day. This is a convenient way to visit Gozo but may be on the expensive side. Some internationally based car hiring firms and many local garages offer the services of self-drive as well as chauffeur-driven cars. All cars carry a fully comprehensive insurance but conditions vary slightly. Most dive shops organise taxis, airport transfers and car hire. Small cars are available but larger ones like minibuses or open jeeps are more practical for divers transporting kit. Rates vary according to the season but on Gozo we boast the best priced car hire in Europe. For more information contact the Gozo Dive Shops. Fuel prices are slightly cheaper than they are in central Europe. DrivingDriving is on the left. There is a speed limit of 64 kilometres per hour (40 mph) on the main roads and 40 kph (23 mph) in urban areas. International and national driving licences are acceptable. Some roads on Malta are as busy as they would be in a small city but on Gozo it’s more like driving in the country. There’s never too much traffic and crossing Victoria at ‘rush hour’ may take 5 minutes. The Maltese roads are notorious for their quality on both islands but since joining the EU many main ones have been rebuilt and are up to European standards. BicyclingCycling around Malta and Gozo has become extremely popular since the introduction of Mountain Bikes, which are ideal for our islands’ terrain. Since Gozo is a small hilly island, mountain bikes are a good means for the fit to travel around the island especially during Autumn and Spring. They may be hired from various cycle shops throughout the islands and for more information contact the Gozo Dive Shops. Cyclists should remember to always follow the highway code and clearly hand signal their intentions. PetsThe Maltese Islands are free of rabies and other diseases still found on mainland Europe. Importing pets is therefore a complicated affair as they may be quarantined on entering Malta. A pet import permit, a veterinary health certificate and vaccination certificates are necessary before animals are allowed into the country. Particular attention must be made to individuals arriving with their pets on board yachts. Many are disappointed when their dogs or cats are not allowed on the island. Different measures are taken for animals originating from different countries so before deciding to bring your pets to Malta, it is recommended to contact: The Director of Veterinary Service, Albertown, Marsa, Malta. TelephoneThe International prefix for Malta is +356 Some Useful Telephone Numbers:
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