The Republic of Malta is situated on an archipelago south of Sicily. It is made up of 3 inhabited islands, Malta is the largest, Gozo is the second largest and Camino which is inhabited by only 3 families. The islands of Malta and Gozo are full of incredible fortifications dating back to the times of the Knights of Malta and onward. Malta and Gozo have ancient temples which predate pyramids and Newgrange. Although the island changed owners who had a strong influence on the island throughout history the Maltese language and culture stayed strong. The Maltese archipelago offers beautiful sights and some of the most incredible beaches in Europe. Malta offers the best of both, cultural and leisure experiences.

Travelling info

Malta is a part of EU and part of the Schengen convention meaning that EU citizens are allowed to not only visit but also move to work and live. Some non-EU nationals or nationals of non-Schengen nations may visit the country without a visa for up to 90 days whilst some must have a visa in order to visit. (List in sources). Tourists who wish to drive in Malta must have their national driving permit, vehicle registration documents and certificate of insurance at all times whilst driving. Permits issued in the EU may be freely used to drive in Malta. IDP is recommended for non-EU or non-roman scripture driving permits. The left-hand side of the road is used for driving. There is an extensive bus network that connects points all over the islands except for Camino. An important tip for newcomers. If you’re alone on a bus stop and see your bus approaching, wave at the driver or else he or she will just ignore you and drive on.

Travelling hazards

Malta and Gozo have a very well developed infrastructure, Camino has only dirt roads however it’s almost depopulated. Driving in Malta and Gozo is generally safe, there are few traffic-related accidents however roads can get very congested particularly in Bikakara and Valletta during road hours. The biggest worry of visitors is probably traffic congestion which gets really bad and despite the longest points of Malta having only 18 km, that distance during rush hours might take even up to over an hour.

Environmental hazards

There are no dangerous animals in Malta however there are a few creepy crawlies. Although these do not pose a threat to human life, they might leave quite a nasty sting. These animals are the brown recluse spider and the Maltese scorpion. Although there are no dangerous land animals, Malta is slapped in the middle of the Mediterranean meaning that swimming far off the coast may be dangerous. There have been several reported shark attacks however these are extremely rare, still cannot be ruled out. Other than that there are no creatures which may put humans in danger.
Malta has very low exposure to natural disasters. Earthquakes are extremely rare and floods are almost nonexistent however the Maltese are very well prepared to tackle such events.

Health hazards

There are currently no outbreaks of any diseases however Malta requires all visitors traveling from countries with a risk of yellow fever to have a proof of yellow fever vaccination. This also includes people who have traveled to such countries. There are several other vaccines which should ensure a disease-free holiday. These are the routine vaccines also known as MMR, hepatitis A and B, and rabies vaccine.
Public healthcare roots all the way back to the 14th century in Malta when the Knights of St.John first arrived and built hospitals for the locals. Today Malta has a publicly funded healthcare which delivers very well. Expats must pay for their services however EU citizens who are holders of the European health insurance cards will receive free medical services or services at a drastically reduced cost. Private healthcare also delivers excellent quality of care however it is much more expensive.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

Malta is generally safe. Tourists biggest worry should be opportunistic theft and pickpockets. Violent crime does occur however this mainly applies to the areas where nightlife flourishes. Areas of St.Julians bay and Sliema which are known for nightclubs etc would generally see more violent crime than any other place. The illegal use of drugs is not, per se, recognized in Maltese law, although the use of these substances, if proven in court, leads to a conviction for possession or trafficking. A person found in possession of one cannabis plant for personal use will not be liable to a mandatory prison term.

Summary

For a small archipelago, Malta can deliver some incredible holiday memories. The many attractions Malta offers and its incredible atmosphere will definitely make many first time goers return for the second time. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/malta-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/malta
(EHIC)
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559