+/- 0 h

Valletta

Maltese and English

• 230 volts
• A travel plug adapter for type G sockets is required.

Banks

8.30 am–2.00 pm (Mon–Fri)
8.30 am–12.00 noon (Sat)

Shops

9.00 am–1.00 pm and 4.00 pm–7.00 pm (Mon–Sat)

Some shops open earlier or close later, particularly in tourist areas, and some are also open on Sundays.

• 1 January: New Year’s Day (Jum il-Ħelsien)
• 10 February: Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck (Nawfraġju ta’ San Pawl)
• 19 March: Saint Joseph’s Day (Jum San Ġużepp)
• 31 March: Freedom Day (Jum il-Ħelsien)
• Good Friday: date varies (Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira)
• 1 May: Labour Day (Jum il-Ħaddiem)
• 7 June: Sette Giugno
• 15 August: Assumption Day (Santa Marija)
• 8 September: Our Lady of Victories (Il-Vitorja)
• 21 September: Independence Day (Jum l-Indipendenza)
• 13 December: Republic Day (Jum ir-Repubblika)
• 25 December: Christmas Day (Il-Milied)

The following documents are required to enter Malta:

• A valid Swiss identity card or a valid Swiss passport.
• A visa is not required.
• Minors: minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents are advised to carry a travel consent form. Further information: travel consent forms for travelling with children.

Last updated: May 2024

Malta has a typical Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The high season runs from June to September, when average temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C. On particularly hot days, temperatures may rise well above 35°C. From June onwards, the sea also warms to a pleasant temperature of over 20°C, making it ideal for beach holidays and water sports.

The weather remains mild even during the winter months, with temperatures often exceeding 20°C and rarely falling below 15°C. Although rainfall is more frequent at this time of year, showers are usually brief and heavy, followed by rapid clearing and longer sunny periods.

The ideal time to visit Malta

• Beach holidays: June to September is ideal for sunny days and pleasantly warm sea temperatures.
• City breaks: spring and autumn are particularly enjoyable, when temperatures are milder.
• Winter holidays: December to April offers mild weather and a pleasant alternative to colder European winters.

• Mobile phone use in Malta may incur roaming charges. Before travelling, it is advisable to check roaming rates and, where necessary, purchase a special roaming package to reduce costs.
• Free Wi-Fi is available in cafés, hotels, public places and on public transport.

• Valletta: Malta’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring impressive Baroque architecture, including the Grandmaster’s Palace and St John’s Co-Cathedral.
• Mdina: Malta’s former capital, also known as the “Silent City”, is a medieval fortified town with narrow lanes and magnificent views across the island.
• Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra: two impressive megalithic temple complexes regarded as some of the world’s oldest free-standing structures.
• Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum: an underground prehistoric burial site more than 5,000 years old, renowned for its exceptional acoustics.
• Blue Grotto: famous for its breathtaking natural rock formations and crystal-clear blue waters, particularly popular with divers and snorkellers.
• Marsaxlokk: a picturesque fishing village known for its colourful market and traditional brightly painted fishing boats known as luzzus.
• The Three Cities – Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua: historic fortified towns offering a fascinating insight into Malta’s maritime history and defensive architecture.
• Gozo: Malta’s sister island, home to the famous Ġgantija temple complex, picturesque coastlines and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Popeye Village: originally built as the film set for “Popeye”, it is now a popular leisure park overlooking the beautiful Anchor Bay.
• St Paul’s Bay: a historic site where, according to tradition, the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked and helped introduce Christianity to the island.

Travel inspiration

Discover Malta: the top 10 attractions

Malta in June: coastal charm and hidden treasures

Malta is known for its rich and varied cuisine, deeply rooted in the history and cultural influences of the Mediterranean. Maltese food reflects the many civilisations that have left their mark on the islands over the centuries and offers a delicious blend of Mediterranean flavours.

• Bread and pastizzi: Maltese bread, particularly the traditional Ħobż tal-Malti, is a staple food often enjoyed with tomato paste, olive oil and local seasonings. Another popular snack is pastizzi, flaky pastries filled with ricotta or pea purée.
• Local dishes: Maltese cuisine is known for its hearty stews and delicious fish and seafood dishes. Specialities such as Lampuki Pie, a savoury fish pie, bragioli, beef rolls, and fenek, braised rabbit, reflect the rustic and flavoursome character of the local culinary tradition.
• Pastries and sweets: desserts play an important role in Maltese cuisine. Popular specialities include imqaret, date-filled pastries, and kannoli, pastry tubes filled with ricotta, showcasing the sweeter side of the island’s food culture.
• Fish and seafood: thanks to its location in the Mediterranean, Malta offers an impressive selection of fresh fish and seafood, served in the many local tavernas.
• Cheese and cured meats: ġbejna, a traditional Maltese sheep’s-milk cheese, and various cured meats, including Maltese sausage, are important elements of the local diet and reflect the island’s agricultural traditions.
• Markets and food festivals: markets and culinary festivals take place throughout the year, celebrating the diversity and seasonality of local produce.
• Wine: although Malta is not as widely known for its wines as some other Mediterranean countries, it produces several excellent varieties from grapes well adapted to the local climate.

Maltese cuisine is a genuine melting pot of flavours and a reflection of the islands’ layered history, offering many specialities that no explorer of Malta’s culinary heritage should miss.

• Greetings: a friendly handshake is customary; among friends, kisses on both cheeks are also common.
• Saying please and thank you: expressions such as “Jekk jogħġbok” (“please”) and “Grazzi” (“thank you”) should be used regularly.
• Clothing: dress in Malta is generally casual but should remain appropriate. When visiting religious sites such as churches, shoulders and knees should be covered.
• Dining etiquette: meals are often enjoyed at length and in company. It is important to wait until everyone has been served before beginning to eat.
• Smoking: smoking is prohibited in public buildings, on trains and in restaurants. Pay attention to no-smoking signs.
• Tipping: in restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip of around 10% if service is not already included in the bill. A small tip is also appropriate for services such as taxi journeys and hotel staff.

• Tap water in Malta does not meet drinking-water quality standards, as it consists mainly of desalinated and partly chlorinated seawater. Because of the limited groundwater resources and its distinctive taste, many people prefer bottled water. However, tap water is safe to use for cooking and brushing teeth.
• No compulsory vaccinations are required to enter Malta.
• Ensure that adults and children are up to date with the routine vaccinations recommended in the Swiss vaccination schedule issued by the Federal Office of Public Health.

• Malta has a highly developed healthcare system that provides comprehensive medical care for both local residents and tourists. The country has a network of public and private hospitals with modern facilities and good equipment.
• A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) must be presented when receiving medical treatment.
• Pharmacies are readily accessible and well distributed throughout Malta. They offer a wide range of medicines, and many pharmacists speak English, making communication easier.
• People who rely on specific medication should carry an adequate supply together with proof of the medical prescription.

• Before and during your trip, follow the latest developments in the media and remain in contact with your tour operator.
• Malta is generally considered a safe travel destination with a low crime rate.
• Be alert to pickpockets in busy tourist areas, on public transport and in places with large crowds.
• There have been reports of drinks being spiked in some bars popular with tourists. It is important to remain vigilant when going out and to keep drinks in sight at all times.
• Terrorism does not represent a significant risk in Malta, and the country has not experienced any notable terrorist activity to date.
• Further information on the current security situation is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

Last updated: May 2024

• Traffic drives on the left in Malta.
• The Swiss driving licence is accepted for car hire, provided that, depending on the car hire company, it was obtained at least two years previously.
• The minimum age for hiring a car is 21, depending on the company.
• A CH sticker and warning triangle are compulsory.
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.8‰

Malta has no train or metro system; buses are the main form of public transport:

• Buses: buses connect all major towns and many villages. Services run regularly, particularly on the main routes.
• Tickets: tickets can be purchased from the bus driver or from ticket machines. Single tickets and daily, weekly and monthly passes are available. Special Travel Cards for tourists provide unlimited travel for several days.

The bus system is a practical and affordable way to explore Malta, although it can become crowded during peak hours.

• Air travel in Malta is centred around Malta International Airport (MLA), the island’s only airport, located in Luqa. It serves as the main transport hub for arrivals and departures by air.
• Direct flights to Malta are available from Geneva, Basel and Zurich.
• The airport is served by various international and low-cost airlines. The main carriers offering direct flights from Switzerland are Swiss International Air Lines, KM Malta Airlines and EasyJet.

00 41 (omit the zero from the Swiss area code)

• General emergency number: 112
• Police: 191

Consulate General of Switzerland
6 Zachary Street
VLT 1131 Valletta
Tel. +356 21 24 41 59
Email: valletta@honrep.ch

• The islands of Gozo and Comino also form part of Malta’s national territory.
• In Malta, violations of drug legislation are severely punished even when only small quantities are involved, regardless of the type of drug, often with prison sentences of several years.