Travel Guide Malta A jewel between Orient and Occident

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1 A jewel between Orient and Occident Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Best of Getty Images/iStockphoto LH.com/travelguide 01/14

2 02 Quick view a brief overview One of Europe s smallest countries,, and its sister islands Gozo and Comino, manages to pack a sizeable cultural punch. It s home to two UNESCO-listed monuments and one UNESCO-listed city centre (Valletta), and successive waves of occupying powers have helped create an eclectic culture that has seemingly taken the best from each one. From Gozo s Citadella to Valletta s knightly palaces, is endlessly fascinating and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, as well as some incredible rock formations such as the iconic Azure Window. Scores of sleepy fishing villages, excellent local wines and toothsome local fare complete a very enticing picture. General Information Country overview From the MTV music festival in Valletta to abseiling and climbing in Gozo, rocks. Small in size but big in character, offers cool cafes, buzzing night clubs, exhilarating activities, exciting festivals and amazing archaeological wonders, whatever the time of year. Geography The Maltese archipelago is situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, with the largest inhabited island,, lying 93km (58 miles) south of Sicily and 290km (180 miles) from North Africa. Gozo and Comino are the only other inhabited islands. The landscape of all three is characterised by low hills with terraced fields. the largest island and the cultural and commercial centre, has a rolling terrain and a largely rugged coastline, indented with harbours, bays, creeks, sandy beaches and rocky coves. It has no mountains or rivers. Gozo is connected to by ferry and is more verdant, with many flat-topped hills and craggy cliffs. Comino, the smallest island, is connected to and Gozo by ferry and is very sparsely populated. General knowledge Key facts Population: (2014) Population Density (per sq km): 1346 Capital: Valletta. Language Maltese (a Semitic language) and English are the official languages. Italian is also widely spoken. Currency LH.com/travelguide 02/14

3 03 Euro (EUR; symbol ) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Electricity 240 volts AC, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plugs are in use. General business opening hours Mon-Fri , Sat Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 December 2020 period L-Ewwel tas-sena (New Year s Day): 1 January 2019 San Pawl Nawfragu (Feast of St Paul s Shipwreck): 10 February 2019 San Ġużepp (Feast of St Joseph): 19 March 2019 Jum il-ħelsien (Freedom Day): 31 March 2019 Il-Ġimgħa l-kbira (Good Friday): 19 April 2019 Jum il-ħaddiem (Labour Day): 1 May 2019 Sette Giugno (Republic Day): 7 June 2019 L-Imnarja (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul): 29 June 2019 Santa Marija (Assumption Day): 15 August 2019 Jum il-vitorja (Feast of Our Lady of Victories): 8 September 2019 Jum l-indipendenza (Independence Day): 21 September 2019 Il-Kunċizzjoni (Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2019 Jum ir-repubblika (Republic Day:): 13 December 2019 Il-Milied (Christmas Day): 25 December L-Ewwel tas-sena (New Year s Day): 1 January 2020 San Pawl Nawfragu (Feast of St Paul s Shipwreck): 10 February 2020 San Ġużepp (Feast of St Joseph): 19 March 2020 Jum il-ħelsien (Freedom Day): 31 March 2020 Il-Ġimgħa l-kbira (Good Friday): 10 April 2020 Jum il-ħaddiem (Labour Day): 1 May 2020 Sette Giugno (Republic Day): 7 June 2020 L-Imnarja (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul): 29 June 2020 Santa Marija (Assumption Day): 15 August 2020 Jum il-vitorja (Feast of Our Lady of Victories): 8 September 2020 Jum l-indipendenza (Independence Day): 21 September 2020 Il-Kunċizzjoni (Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2020 Jum ir-repubblika (Republic Day:): 13 December 2020 Il-Milied (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions The usual European courtesies are expected, but the visitor should also bear in mind the tremendous importance of Roman Catholicism; if visiting a church, for instance, modest dress covering the shoulders and legs will be expected. Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in all public buildings, including LH.com/travelguide 03/14

4 04 cinemas, restaurants and bars. Health Health Food & Drink Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Dr. Schembri Wismayer, Mark Krypton Clinic Ibragg Road Ibragg Tel Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone Country code: +356 Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-eu state do not benefit from the new arrangement. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Ġgantija Temples One of the world s most important architectural sites, Gozo s UNESCO-listed Ggantija Temples are thought to date from between 3600 and 3200BC. Ggajtina, Temples Street Xaghra Gozo Tel.: Daily (Apr-Sep) Daily (Oct-Mar) LH.com/travelguide 04/14

5 05 Blue Lagoon A spectacular sheltered cove tucked into the western end of Comino and obscured by the islet of Cominotto, the Blue Lagoon is a little slice of the Caribbean in Europe. Comino The Palace State Rooms, Grand Masters Palace It might look plain from the outside but once through the front door, the opulent lifestyle of s ruling Grand Masters becomes plain. Owned by the Knights of St John, this 16th-century palace is packed with stunning artefacts. Palace Square VLT 1191 Valletta Tel.: Mon-Wed and Fri Sat-Sun Calypso s Cave A natural sea cave said by some to have been the home of Homeric nymph Calypso, the rock formation itself is underwhelming (and usually sealed off) but the spectacular view over Ramla Bay makes it well worth the trip. Ix-Xagħra Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum Another Maltese monument to win UNESCO listing, the Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum is a huge and incredibly well-preserved tomb of a similar vintage to the Ggantija Temples. Hal Saflieni Street PLA 1116 Paola Tel.: Mon-Fri Fort Rinella Built by the British in the 19th century, Fort Rinella is one of two built to counter the threat from the then newly united Italy. Boasting two 100-tonne Armstrong guns, the largest ever built, the fort also doubles as a military museum. St Rocco Road KKR 9063 Kalkara Tel.: Tue-Sun LH.com/travelguide 05/14

6 06 The Azure Window A sight that ought to be familiar to fans of Game of Thrones, the Azure Window is a huge natural rock arch perched just off the coast of Gozo. Dwerja San Lawren Gozo St John s Co-Cathedral The religious seat of the Knights of St John, St John s Co-Cathedral is one of the largest in Valletta and was built during the 15th century. Austere from without, inside the church is a homage to Maltese baroque complete with a marble floor and lashings of gilt. St John Street Valetta 1156 Mon-Fri Sat Citadella Fortified since the Bronze Age, the Citadella glowers out across Gozo s capital Victoria from its lofty perch atop a hill. A mixture of fortified ramparts, a baroque cathedral and a smattering of homes, boutiques and restaurants, it s well worth the (exhausting) climb. Victoria, Gozo Villa Rundle Gardens Laid out by British Governor General Sir Leslie Rundle in 1914, this set of centuryold gardens are some of the prettiest in and include some beautiful examples of local flora. Perfect for an afternoon s wandering. Republic Street VCT 1019 Victoria, Gozo Tel.: Daily mgoz.gov.mt/en/pages/other/villa-run dle-garde... Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas Valletta is home to most of the major international brands, although things do have a very British feel: expect to find branches of M&S, Next and The Body Shop as well as local boutiques. Elsewhere, Gozo s capital Victoria is heaven for anyone looking for local crafts, with everything from Maltese wine to sea salt on offer. Markets LH.com/travelguide 06/14

7 07 Most Maltese towns hold an open-air market once a week but one of the best is in Birzebbugia, where on Thursdays, you can find local produce and crafts galore. Shopping Centres Daniel s Shopping Centre (St Joseph High Street) in Hamrun has a good selection of big names while Valletta s Embassy Shopping Complex (St Lucia Street) is vast and modern. Restaurants Restaurants in An eclectic hybrid of Italian, Arabic and, yes, British influences, Maltese cuisine can throw up some unusual combinations but is nearly always delicious.seafood is a local staple as is rabbit. The salty local goat s cheese is not to be missed. Tarragon With outside tables overlooking the Mediterranean, Tarragon dishes up melt-inyour-mouth steaks and sensational seafood try the octopus in chilli and cherry tomato marmalade. Church St St Paul's Bay Price: Expensive Il-Horza Fresh local fare in a cosy little eatery tucked away down a cobbled Valletta street. 6 St. Christopher's Street Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1468 Price: Expensive Ta'Rikardu Traditional Maltese fare, including brilliant homemade goat s cheese, in the heart of the Citadella. Triq il-fosos, Cittadella Victoria, Gozo, VCT 1842 Price: Moderate Blue Creek Restaurant Nice restaurant with a stunning view over Ghar Lapsi. Families welcome. Ghar Lapsi Siggiewi Price: Moderate Xerri il-bukkett With incredible views over Comino and a nice line in Maltese tapas, this is a locals favourite. LH.com/travelguide 07/14

8 08 Triq iż-żewwiega QLA 1433 Qala, Gozo Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in Despite its staid reputation, and Gozo have no shortage of bars and clubs many of which attract big-name DJs.Along with pretty beachside bars, traditionalists can enjoy the many British pubs, nearly all of which serve real ale on tap. Il-Forn A chic bar with a huge open courtyard and more than 100 different types of wine on the menu. 27 Tramuntana Birgu BRG1160 Level 22 A glitzy 22nd-floor bar with an excellent cocktail menu and incredible views. Level 22, Portomaso Tower PTM 01 Portomaso La Grotta Housed in a huge natural limestone cave, La Grotta has two large dance floors and live DJs. Triq tal-ghajn Il-Munxar, Gozo Tico Tico Edgily glamorous in a part of town once famous for its Royal Navy dive bars. 61 Strait Street Valletta Fat Harry s English beer, English food and very Anglo-Saxon ideas about hospitality great fun. Pjazza Walkway St Paul's Bay LH.com/travelguide 08/14

9 09 Calendar of events Calendar of events Carnival A five-day programme of colourful floats, children running around in extravagantly designed costumes and parties in the streets and night clubs. Top night spot, Paceville, comes alive, catching the late night carnival goers who pile into its clubs and bars, still wearing their outrageous outfits. In Nadur on Gozo the carnival takes on a more macabre mood. 1-5 March 2019 Venue: Various International Fireworks Festival Over the last weekend in April, will put on a fabulous fireworks show against the spectacular backdrop of the Grand Harbour in Valletta. is famous for its fireworks, a tradition which goes back to the time of the Order of the Knights of St John. The festival commemorates 's accession into the European Union in 2004 and will feature magnificent fireworks displays synchronized to music. Live entertainment will also be provided by Maltese musicians and artists. Ta' Liesse and the Barriera Wharf provide the best viewing spots. 24 April - 4 Mai Venue: Various venues MTV Special Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas have headlined the Isle of MTV Special, 's biggest open-air party. The line-up of top musicians and DJs provides the finale to the popular Music Week. June Venue: Floriana Granaries, near Valletta Arts Festival Enjoy a celebration of theatre, dance, music and art from top Maltese and international artists. A wide variety of different art forms are performed in various locations depicting a vast array of styles and genres. June - July 2019 maltaartsfestival.org/ Venue: Throughout the city Village Festas Virtually every weekend throughout the summer months, different villages celebrate the feast of their patron saint with extensive firework displays, parades of extravagant gold-decorated wooden statues and parties in town squares. Banners and flags adorn people's balconies and kiosks sell local produces including nougat and other Maltese delicacies. LH.com/travelguide 09/14

10 10 June - September 2019 Venue: Valletta, towns and villages Jazz Festival The International Jazz Festival takes place annually in July over three nights at Ta Liesse down by the Valletta quay inside the Grand Harbour. A line-up of top Maltese and international artists from countries such as Brazil, Africa and the Middle East present an eclectic mix of jazz styles over three days. World famous artists who have performed in the past have included John Scofield, Al Di Meola, Chick Corea and Dee Dee Bridgewater. July Venue: Ta Liesse, Valletta Farsons Great Beer Festival This 10-day festival is a big social event that's enjoyed by Maltese and tourists alike with things for all the family to do, besides just drinking beer! Live entertainment is provided courtesy of top local singers and bands, and a variety of food complements the large selection of beers produced and imported by Farsons. There are over 300 hours of music, 40 live performances, 15 bars and two stages in the festive open-air atmosphere of the park. The event draws many thousands of visitors each year. July - August Venue: Ta' Qali Park Hotels Hotels in and its little sister Gozo have no shortage of hotels to choose from, whether you re after 5-star luxury, stylish boutique properties or a cheap and cheerful bed and breakfast.either way, you re spoilt for choice. Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz A huge and comfortable 5-star hotel with all the amenities you d expect from Kempinski. Triq ir-rokon SLZ 1040, San Pawl il-baħar San Lawrenz, Gozo Category: Expensive The Xara Palace This family-run pile is tucked away in medieval Mdina but boasts every modern luxury imaginable. Misrah il-kunsill MDN 1050 Mdina Category: Expensive LH.com/travelguide 10/14

11 11 Grand Excelsior Hotel A huge 426-room hotel with harbour views, the Grand Excelsior has its own private marina. Great Siege Road FRN 1810 Floriana Category: Moderate The George This smart boutique hotel comes with classy contemporary décor and a gorgeous rooftop pool and bar. Paceville Avenue STJ 3103 St Julian s Category: Moderate British Hotel One of Valletta s oldest hotels, the family-run property has a terrace overlooking the harbour. 40 Battery street Valletta VLT1222 Category: Cheap Best of dive into mauritius images / tony french / Alamy Gozo, the peaceful. Comino, the small., the lively. Three islands make up the Maltese Archipelago situated between Libya and Sicily, which is popular above all for its sunny climate and crystal-clear waters. Some of the best diving grounds in the Mediterranean lie just off the coast, while on land, you will find the highest density of religious buildings in all of Europe.And that means you can enjoy some of the excellent bathing and boating to be had on these shores and also immerse yourself in European history a tour of discovery above and below the water. Mdina The 4000-year-old walls of the former capital, Mdina, stand on a mountaintop at the heart of the main island,. Mdina s imposing architecture is entirely preserved, LH.com/travelguide 11/14

12 12 and the city is a UNESCO-designated Urban Conservation Area today. Only some 240 people still live here, but visitors abound in its streets, which would make a perfect movie set. From the main gate, tourists make their way along the narrow streets as far as a small square and magnificent St. Paul s Cathedral. Some of s best restaurants are tucked away inside Mdina s ancient walls and as well as culinary delights, they offer magnificent views over the island. 1, Bastion Street Mdina Victoria, Tel Monday to Saturday Dive into the Blue Hole Shipwrecks, caves and craggy underwater canyons: is well known for its excellent diving spots. Because the coast is solid rock with no outflowing rivers, the sea here is extremely clear. Like a cylinder ten meters wide, this opening in the coastal rock face goes down 15 meters and is ideal for snorkelers and scuba divers after floating through a tunnel, you emerge inside a seemingly utopian underwater world. A dive costs 50 euros, equipment included. Mgarr Road Xewkija, Gozo Tel gozodiving.com/ The Blue Lagoon Comino is the tiny island between and Gozo. The famous Blue Lagoon is a rocky bay with waters so turquoise and clear that the ships anchored there almost appear to be floating heavenward. There are several boat tours available to take tourists across from Gozo and to the lagoon, a blue marine pool that positively invites you to take the plunge with snorkel and flippers. Price: 20 to 30 euros, day tours last approx. 6 hours Ramla Bay II-Mellieha MLH 7100 Tel oder bluewaveswatersports.com Valletta Most of s tourist attractions can be found in its capital city, Valletta. The old citadel in its entirety is a historical monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Grand Master Palace is considered to be the most splendid building here, St. John s Co-Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches anywhere in the Mediterranean. Knights of the Maltese Order of St. John shaped its stone walls, while Calabrian artists painted its vaulted ceiling. A relaxing change after all the history: a stroll along the promenade of harbor island Manoel and through colorful, ever-bustling Republic Street with its many bars, restaurants and shops. LH.com/travelguide 12/14

13 13 Valetta Sea Kayaking Like to see from a different perspective and take a little active exercise at the same time? Rental sea kayaks are available almost everywhere here. It s a good idea to book one of the guided tours, as they will usually take you a little further across to Gozo and Comino or along the coast to bays that cannot be reached on foot. Along the way, everyone shares a beach picnic. Alternatively, you could book yourself a three-day kayak tour, with beach camping, sleeping in caves and a trip to the imposing cliffs of Xlendi Bay included. Price: Day tour (roughly 7 hours) 75 euros 7, Triq Sant Indrija Victoria, Tel Website Mosta Church There s a church for every day of the year in in fact, with its 365 houses of worship, the density of churches here is greater than in Rome. But the Church of St. Mary, or the Rotunda, in Mosta is of particular interest due to its special story: On April 9, 1942, a German bomb fell onto the Rotunda, crashed through its dome and landed in the nave, where some 300 people had taken refuge. The bomb failed to explode, however, and that is still celebrated as a miracle to this day. A replica of the bomb now lies in the sacristy, while the original is housed in the National War Museum in Valletta. The Rotunda of Mosta is worth a visit even beyond this anecdote since at 39 meters in diameter, its dome is the world s fourth-largest. Pjazza Rotunda Mosta, Tel Monday to Saturday and Blue Grotto Gouged deep into the rocks on the southwest coast of, there s the Blue Grotto a cave 90 meters long and 40 meters high with two entrances, which can be reached only from the sea. The water there is a magical color, a brilliant sky blue that s created by the slanting rays of the sun reflecting off the blue algae in the water. In calm waters, boats can sail into what is, in fact, a system of caverns and right through those six halls of rock. Boat tours set out from neighboring Wied iz- Zurrieq south of the village of Qrendi, which also has some nice cafés and restaurants. Price: 8 euros for adults, 4 euros for children Wied iz-zurrieq Monday to Sunday bluegrottomalta.com.mt LH.com/travelguide 13/14

14 14 Casino There are plenty of opportunities for dancing, or enjoying a game of poker or a good drink in the islands many casinos, which aside from gambling, generally also provide entertainment in the form of concerts, shows and comedy. The casinos can be found equally in old colonial villas beside the sea and modern hotels, or tucked away in a restored 17th-century, harbor-side mansion. St. Julian s boasts the Casino, which with its bars, night club, slot machines, roulette and all the table games is the largest in. Eden Place St. Augustine Street St. George s Bay St. Julian s, Tel round the clock casinomalta.com.mt Diving to the P29 One of the best and most famous dives from the island of takes you to the wreck of the patrol ship P29. Its intact hull lies on the seabed, 35 meters beneath the waves, and is almost entirely overgrown with seaweed. The dive begins with a gentle swim out from the shore across a small, calm lagoon. On the other side, you dive over the edge into the deep blue sea and keep on diving down until you catch sight of the wreck. Visibility at the site is roughly 30 meters, and you can even climb on board the ship: engine room, bridge and superstructure are all great to dive. Dive, equipment included: euros; two dives: 85 euros Triq George Borg Olivier St. Julian s, divemalta.com.mt LH.com/travelguide 14/14