Currency: Euros

Time: Malta time is one hour ahead of GMT.

Electricity: supply is 240 volts, single phase, 50 cycle. The square standard 3 pin British plugs and sockets are used.

Water: tap water is perfectly safe to drink.

Language: the official languages are Maltese and English. Almost all the Maltese speak English. Maltese is a semitic language written in the Roman script comprising a vast element of words of Italian, French and English origin. Italian is also widely spoken.

Accommodation: the Maltese islands offer varied accommodation in hotels, guest houses, holiday complexes and self-catering apartments and villas. These are all officially classified according to international standards and are expected to exhibit a certificate confirming their official classification.

Beach facilities: there are a number of sandy beaches, especially in the north of the Island, the best known being Mellieha Bay, Golden Sands and Armier.  In the south the best sandy beach is at Birzebbugia. Ramla Bay in Gozo stands out for its beautiful red sand. Rock bathing is possible at most other beach sites.

Bathing is safe anywhere around the islands; there are no tides. Sea temperatures average 22.8.C in summer. Beach facilities in the high season, between March and October, includes bars, restaurants, changing cabins, showers and umbrellas. On some beaches, it is possible to hire self-drive speed boats, dinghies, rowing boats, water skis, surfboards, etc.

Public transport: Malta’s public transport system offers a very cheap and efficient way of touring the Island. The main bus terminus is at Valletta from where the buses operate to all parts of Malta. The longest bus journey takes about 50 minutes (to Gozo ferry).

Guides: Licensed multi-lingual guides may be hired through most Travel Agents including HotelRaider Travel.

Car hire: Malta has amongst the cheapest car hire rates in Europe. For a quick and cheap quote please click on this link www.hotelraider.com/european-car-hire/  Driving is on the left; a British driving licence is acceptable. There is a speed limit of 64 km per hour on highways and 40 km per hour in built-up areas.

Although Maltese law permits driving 18 years upwards with no upper-age limit, several car hire firms are reluctant to hire cars to persons under 25 or over 70.

Taxis: Malta taxis can be identified by their all-white livery and red number plates and are all fitted with meters. Please check with your driver how much the trip will cost before entering the taxi. If you prefer a pre-arranged fixed taxi rate then please use our private chauffeur service.

Tourist Information Office: there are tourist information offices in the major tourist areas such as Sliema on The Strand, downtown Valletta, St Julians, Bugibba etc.

Telephones: overseas calls may be made from Malta to all countries. Calls may be made from either your hotel or from a number of call-shops scattered around the towns. Check with your mobile operator about their international roaming charges before leaving for Malta; they may be able to give you a very good rate.

Geography: the Maltese archipelago consists of 3 inhabited islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, together with other smaller uninhabited islands, Filfla and St Paul’s islands.

Malta lies in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea just 93 km south of Sicily and 230 km north of North Africa. The total area of the inhabited islands is 316 sqm (Malta 246, Gozo 67 and Comino 2.7).

The longest distance in Malta from southeast to northwest is 27 km and its widest point in an east-west direction measures 14.5 km.

Malta is characterised by rocky and sandy beaches (the latter at the northern part) and low hills with terraced fields on the slopes. On the other hand Gozo has a much greener countryside characterised by flat topped hills and cliffs. We also find various steep valleys and bays. In Gozo we find fewer sandy beaches.