Some Interesting Facts About Malta

Public Holidays

Barring a handful of secular and national holidays, nearly all of Malta’s public holidays are religious festivals particularly the Catholic festivals. Nearly all are celebrated with parades, street decorations, and more. Holy Week (around Easter) and Yuletide are the most festive seasons.

Date 2005 Occasion
January 1 New Year's Day  
February 7 Carnival
March 28 Easter Monday
May 1 May Day
May 5 Ascension
May 15 Whit Sunday (Pentecost)
May 16 Whit Monday
June 23 National Day (Sovereign's Birthday)*
August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 1 Luxembourg City Fair (City of Luxembourg only)
November 1 All Saints Day
December 25 Christmas Day  
December 26 St Stephen's Day

Weekend: Sunday

Important Telephone Numbers

Directory Enquiries: 190
Police: 191
Ambulance: 196
Fire: 199

Weights & Measures

The Metric system of measurements is used in Malta.

Electricity

Power is supplied at 250 volts, 50 Hz; electrical appliances not compatible with the power supply will require a converter or an adaptor plug.

Customs & Duties

Foreign travellers entering Malta can bring in clothes and personal belongings free of customs duty; this can include up to 200 cigarettes (or the equivalent in cigars or tobacco), a bottle each of wine and of spirits, and a reasonable amount of perfumes and eau de toilette. Motor vehicles, plants and animals, firearms and ammunition are subject to certain restrictions with regard to import and export; if you intend to take any of these (or anything else which is out of the ordinary) across the border, check with the Department of Customs first.

Embassies and Consulates

A number of countries, including most European nations, have diplomatic relations with Malta- their embassies; high commissions and consulates are situated in the capital, Valletta. If you need to visit any of the diplomatic missions, addresses and telephone numbers can easily be obtained by calling Directory Enquiry, at 190. Remember that most embassies are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, so should you need to contact them, you’ll have to do so on a weekday.

Post & Communications

Malta’s postal system is fairly reliable, although, if you need to send mail abroad, it might be wiser to go to a post office in a large city like Valletta- smaller post offices may not handle international mail. Parcels and packages too are best sent from the main post office in Valletta.

Telephone calls, both local as well as international, can be made from most hotel rooms; or you can go to the offices of Maltacom, the main telephone service provider in Malta. Maltacom’s offices are located at Bisazza Street, the International Airport, Qawra and St Paul’s Bay; the St George’s Branch works 24 hours a day and, in addition, provides fax and telex facilities. Phone cards, available at post offices, Maltacom’s offices and some shops, can be used in public phones, at least one of which is there in every village.

Tipping

You are expected to tip only in restaurants and in taxis on Malta; cinema or theatre ushers, porters and the like may be tipped if you’re feeling generous, but don’t think it’s obligatory. A tip of around 10% of the total bill is generally sufficient.