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Malta

Malta is an island country in Europe, forming an archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa.

Thanks to its strategic position, Malta has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times, and conquered by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Sicilians and, most recently, the British. The voloisers and intensive trading across the region left material and cultural heritage on the islands, but the Maltese and their language remain unique in many ways. With universal knowledge and use of English among the population and a wealth of both man-made structures from all eras of human existence and sites of exceptional natural beauty — Malta has been a very popular holiday destination for decades.

There are also a number of aquatic activities to enjoy. Northern Malta is home to the country's beach resorts and holiday areas. Gozo and Comino, the country's two smaller islands, are also popular beach spots, although these tend to be quieter, rockier and better for snorkelling. The Mediterranean Sea surrounding Malta is popular for diving, and experienced divers may be able to find historical artefacts from World War II or earlier.

Regions
The country is an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Gozo, Comino) being inhabited.

Cities

 * – the capital, named for Jean Parisot de la Valette, a French nobleman who was Grand Master of the Order of St. John and leader of the defenders during the Turkish siege of Malta in 1565. Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site for the massive number of historical buildings found in a tiny space.
 * (Three Cities) – The name used when referring to the three historic and ancient cities of Birgu (aka Vittoriosa), Isla (aka Senglea) and Bormla (aka Cospicua), three towns conglomerated by 16th-century fortifications called the Cottonera lines.
 * – fishing village south of the island. A big market is held every Sunday.
 * – Malta's well-preserved quiet old capital; pronounced 'im-dina'
 * – 3rd largest city (in population) of Malta, boasting of Mosta Dome – the fourth-largest dome in Europe and the ninth-largest dome in the world.
 * – hosts numerous historical attractions such as St. Paul's catacombs and the Domus Romana (previously known as Roman Villa)
 * – perfect area for nightlife & entertainment.
 * – shopping area just north of Valletta.
 * – the main town on Gozo.

Other destinations

 * – two very beautiful Stone Age temples set on the cliffside of southwest Malta.
 * – another Neolithic heritage in the island of Gozo.
 * – a Neolithic temple in Tarxien.
 * – a locality in Malta surrounded by the largest and some of the most wonderful sandy beaches on the Islands
 * – one of Malta's most beautiful sandy beaches, on the northwest coast of the island; the Radisson Hotel overlooking it damages the view somewhat unless you're looking at the view from inside the hotel.
 * – "Apple spring", aka "Long Steps Bay", just behind Golden Bay. Just as beautiful or even more (unspoiled panorama), and even less crowded during the high season.
 * (Taħt il-Ħnejja) – a series of seven caves and inlets on the southern side of Malta famous for deep blue waters and spectacular natural rock formations. The Blue Grotto may be accessed by small traditional boats, skippered by cheerful Maltese guides, which leave from a well-signposted pier just off the main road along the south coast.
 * – a subterranean structure dating from 3000-2500 BC. Advanced booking is required.
 * – a prehistoric cave containing remains from the Pleistocene era.
 * (Misraħ Għar il-Kbir) – is an area of western central Malta (not far from Buskett woods) where deep ruts in the bedrock appear to have been formed in the remote past by wagons or carts. Some of these ruts cross rock-cut punic tombs, proving that the ruts existed before the tombs. In the vicinity, there are large caves which used to be inhabited by troglodytes.
 * – a quaint inlet, 1 km beyond Marsaskala, with a sloping, built-up area on one side, and barren Munxar white cliffs on the other. There are 2 small sandy beaches ideal for swimming in summer. Beneath Munxar there is now a 'window' at the cliffside. Beyond Munxar Point there are amazing, very high, white cliffs, with 2 large and deep caves in them. Many amateur fishermen own boathouses in the vicinity and go fishing whenever the sea is calm.
 * – a natural inlet in the south of Malta, Delimara area. It looks like a natural swimming pool carved into the rocks.
 * – is found in Gzira and is rarely used for some events/activities.

Understand
Malta is the smallest member of the European Union by population, with only half a million people, but also by area, making it the fourth-most densely populated country in the world while being the tenth-smallest. Despite its diminutive size, Malta is an important freight trans-shipment point, financial centre and tourist destination.

History
Although small, Malta has a vast and rich history, with evidence for habitation going back to the Neolithic era (5th millennium BC). The country boasts the world's most ancient standing buildings (the Neolithic temples), and its strategic location and good harbours in the middle of the Mediterranean have attracted Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Crusaders, the French and finally the British, with the colonial period lasting until 1964.

The Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as the Knights Hospitallers and Knights of Malta, took over sovereign control of Malta in 1530, and by 1533 the Order had built a hospital at Birgu (one of the Three Cities) to care for the sick. In 1565, Suleiman the Magnificent, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, mounted a great siege of Malta with a fleet of 180 ships and a landing force of 30,000 men. In response the Order, with only 8,000 defenders, drove the Ottoman Turks away after a hard siege of several months. After this siege, the Order founded the city of Valletta on a peninsula, and fortified it with massive stone walls, which even withstood heavy bombing during the Second World War. By 1575 the Order had built a new large hospital known as the Grand Hospital or Sacred Infirmary in order to continue with its primary mission of caring for the sick.

In 1798, the French under Napoleon, en route to Egypt, took the island on 12 June, without resistance, when the Grand Master of the Order capitulated after deciding that the island could not be defended against the opposing French naval force. French rule lasted a little over 2 years, until they surrendered to the British Royal Navy, under Admiral Nelson's command, in September 1800.

Great Britain annexed Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars. Malta became an important coaling station with the construction of the Suez canal but somewhat lost that role with the advent of ships with greater range.

The island was awarded the George Cross for its heroic resistance during the Second World War. An image of the cross is displayed on the flag. Malta has remained in the Commonwealth of Nations when it became independent from in 1964, despite becoming a republic a decade later, and became a member of the European Union in May 2004.

National holidays

 * Freedom Day, 31 March (1979)
 * Sette Giugno, 7 June (1919)
 * Feast of Our Lady of Victories, 8 September (1565)
 * Independence Day, 21 September (celebrating gaining independence from the UK in 1964)
 * Republic Day, 13 December (1974).

Climate
Malta's climate is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea and is similar to other Mediterranean climates. Winters are wet and windy. Summers are virtually guaranteed to be dry and hot. Temperatures range from a low of approximately in December, January, February and March to highs of approximately  in June, July, August and September.

Terrain
Mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains, with a coastline that has many coastal cliffs and numerous bays that provide good harbours. The highest point is Ta' Dmejrek (near Dingli) which has an elevation of above sea level.

Visitor information

 * Visit Malta

Talk

The official languages are Maltese and English. By law, all official documents in Malta are in Maltese and English and many radio stations broadcast in both languages. Virtually all Maltese citizens speak English fluently and some may even speak with a standard British accent.

Maltese is a Semitic language, though it has borrowed a substantial amount of vocabulary from the Romance languages (particularly Italian and Sicilian). The closest living relative of Maltese is Arabic, particularly the dialect spoken in North Africa known as Maghrebi Arabic (spoken in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria) though Maltese is written in the Latin alphabet instead of the Arabic script. Maltese is also more distantly related to Hebrew and Amharic, so if you speak any of these three languages, you'll recognise some similarities. It also has substantial English elements in it. Knowing a few phrases in Maltese may be useful.

Italian is widely understood and spoken. Some people can speak basic French, but few are fluent.

Get in
Visitors from outside the EU, including Americans, must fill out a landing card, available on board some arriving flights (sometimes) or in the entrance hall of the airport from the small box between the customs agents. As of January 2020, American travellers report having their passports stamped into the Schengen Area and being waved straight on to baggage claim.

By plane
The islands' sole airport is

Buses to various locations on the island (Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian's, etc.) are outside the terminal building. Ticket machines and schedules are by the bus station. As of February 2020, a ticket for one-way adult in summer is €2.00 (€1.50 in winter). It takes 30-70 min to get to Valletta or Sliema depending on traffic (which can be heavy).

Official Malta taxis have fixed rates to destinations. These rates should be described on a board in the arrivals halls.

By boat
There are frequent fast ferries to the Sicilian port of Catania (3 hours) and Pozzallo, Italy (90 minutes), but the seas can be turbulent with a heavy swell if it's windy. Usually the trip takes around twice as long on large passenger ships, but fares are a lot cheaper, which makes it ideal for drivers of cars, trucks, or campers. Other destinations include Livorno, Salerno, Rome (Civitavecchia), Palermo, Genoa and Tunis. However, discount airlines like Ryanair, Wizzair, Windjet and Efly can be more convenient and the prices of their flights are often comparable to the cost of a boat trip.

Get around
The island of Malta is pretty densely populated and there is no rail transport of any kind, so expect crowded streets no matter how you try to get around. On the plus side, distances are relatively short and bus fares are low compared to Western Europe.

By bus

Malta has been known for its potpourri of vintage buses of all brands and bodies, with additional unique custom decorations added. Those have mostly been retired (yet many remain preserved purely as antiques), and the bus system is operated using modern, air-conditioned buses.

The Malta Public Transport is the operator of the bus network across Malta. The bus system is notoriously slow, with bus lines doing many detours and buses often stuck in traffic jams, especially around 6PM. There are many bus routes that overlap around Valletta, however these may be sparse the further out one goes.

There exists a national public transport route planner at Malta Public Transport. The website also will point to the related “Tallinja” app. It is worth planning your journeys using the website or the app, especially as sometimes buses can be cancelled at the last minute and you need to consider another way of getting around.

A single ride fare is €2.00 in the summer (June through October), €1.50 in winter, and €3.00 at night, and you can buy the ticket directly from the driver. It allows you to travel within a two-hour period including changing lines (but doesn't allow returns) until you reach your destination.

Since 2021, it has been possible to use contactless MasterCard and Visa cards to pay for the fares, as well as cash.

If you plan to travel around Malta by bus extensively, you may want to purchase the Explore card. These allow the addition of various add on passes e.g. 4-day unlimited travel, 7-day unlimited travel, or a tourist orientated “Plus” add on. Do note that you have to enable these add-ons via the Tallinja smartphone app: whilst the staff at the Valletta bus station will sell you the physical Explore card and add on the necessary credit, as of August 2023, they will not be able to use the credit to activate the add-ons. Whilst the Tallinja app is available for iOS and Android, and is relatively easy to use, some assistance may be needed for tourists who either do not have a smartphone or are technologically challenged. It may be worthwhile to either activate roaming on your mobile phone, or get a cheap eSIM, to make the most of the app whilst one is out and about.

As of August 2023, the Plus add on is €79 per person. It offers unlimited Malta bus travel for 7 days, unlimited Gozo travel for 4 days (do note the clock on this 4 days travel starts at the same time as the rest of the card is activated!), a return trip on the Valletta to Gozo fast ferry, a Valletta harbour cruise (€20 by itself) from ISeeMalta, and 2 trips on the Valletta harbour ferries.

Do note some of the add-ons may not allow the use of some types of buses e.g. express buses. Do read the terms and conditions carefully.

Many lines depart from Valletta, which makes it almost always necessary to transit there. Buses are often full, especially on weekends, on the lines passing by the tourist spots. Hence, it is almost always impossible to board at another station than the first station - the bus won't even stop. With very low frequencies (most lines pass every 30, 60 or 90 minutes), you need to wait for the next bus, which can be full too. You may thus want to first head to the terminus (e.g. Valletta), even if it is your opposite direction, and then take the line in the direction you wish. For example, to go to Gozo from St. Julian's, first go back to Valletta (or Sliema Ferries, if using line 222), and then head towards Gozo.

At an end station, buses often change lines. Don't watch the bus number before it is fully stopped and empty of its passengers, as it can change its number at that time (e.g., a bus can arrive in Valletta numbered as 51, but then depart as number 53).

For tourists, a combination of the Explore Plus and a Heritage Malta pass may serve your needs. An alternative is the ISeeMalta combination tourist pass with access to sites as well as a few days of unlimited travel on their Hop On Hop Off circular route tourist buses. Do note though that the “HOHO” type tourist buses seem particularly poorly reviewed on TripAdvisor.

By taxi
Malta's white taxis are the ones that can pick you up off the street. Figure on €15 for short hops and not much more than €35 for a trip across the island. There are now government-approved fares for taxis from the airport ranging from €10 to 30.

For cheaper airport transfers and local taxis try using one of the local "black cab" taxi firms such as eCabs, Peppin Transport (cheaper online prices), Malta Transfer airport shuttle, Transfers Malta, any.cab Malta Airport Transfers or Malta airport transfers with a high quality of service and online booking available. Their rates are normally lower than white taxis but their services must be prebooked (at least 15 minutes notice). The ride-share company Bolt also operates in Malta. Airport to Sliema cost aprox.

If you would like a taxi tour, it is a good idea to book it in advance with an agreed price and arrange to be picked up from your hotel or apartment. The tours are best kept short, around 3 to 4 hours should do it. In a car you will be able to cover Mdina, Rabat, Mosta, Valletta and the Blue Grotto. However, some people say that when visiting historical sights it is best to also hire a licensed tourist guide (who will wear their licence while on tour) and accuse taxi drivers of often giving inaccurate information.

Ride-hailing services like Uber, Bolt and Bonju are also available.

By car
Renting a car in Malta is a fine way to see the country, since it's cheap and driving conditions have steadily improved greatly. Having your own car allows you to make a lot more of your trip and discover the many hidden charms these small islands have to offer. UK driving rules apply, with drivers keeping to the left side of the road.

Prebook your car rental online as this works out cheaper than booking when you arrive. According to the Mediterranean markets, Malta has very low rates for car rental. Any driver and additional drivers must take their driving licenses with them to be covered by the insurance policies provided by the local car rental supplier.

Car hire is available also at Malta International Airport with many leading brands such as Avis, Hertz, CityGo Rentals and Europcar having a car hire desk inside the airport.

There are also a number of local rental companies that operate on a meet-and-greet basis at the airport. Most of the time these companies provide more of a personalised service to the clients.

There is GPS coverage of the island by popular brands; however, do check with your rental company as to whether they make this available to you or not. Popular opinion states that the GPS mapping of Malta isn't altogether that accurate, where certain routes planned on the GPS, will send you up one-way streets without warning, best to use common sense in conjunction with this technology. Also, the Maltese can be a very friendly bunch of people when giving directions are concerned.

Within the Valletta region
There are several ferry lines within the Valletta region, in particular linking Valletta to Sliema, and Valletta to Birgu (Vittoriosa - part of the Three cities). Malta Public Transport has bus links to Valletta Ferry Services which run the Valletta region services.

Between Malta and Gozo
There is the regular ferry service between Ċirkewwa on Malta and Mġarr on Gozo, it goes every 45 minutes in the summer and almost as often in the winter (with lower frequencies in the evening, and very low frequency at night). You buy a return ticket at the Gozo end for €4.65 (no ticket required in Malta, though you can buy your return ticket from there, and save time in Gozo). The ferry is not strictly on time, and it can even depart before schedule.

There is also the passenger fast ferry from Valletta (Lascaris berths) to Gozo (Mgarr). These leave every hour, and take 45 minutes to complete the journey. There are special ferry bus services in Valletta to get passengers to the ferry, and similar bus services exist in Gozo. Note that whilst there are multiple websites for the fast ferry, this is due to the fact that the service is run jointly between multiple companies (as described the Maltese Government on this webpage). The definitive timetable exists at the Gozo High Speed website. For most tourists in Valletta this is likely the most convenient service to use.

To Comino
There are tourist services to Comino. Some of the boats depart next to the terminal of the larger ferry, offering a return ticket for €15 (April 2023). One boat brings passengers to the Blue lagoon, then there is a choice - either return to the same ferry terminal or take another boat to Gozo. Both options are included in the ticket. There is no return trip from Gozo to Malta - use the regular ferry. Each trip takes around 10-15 minutes. The departures are hourly, from 09:00 to 17:00.

By bike
Renting a bike in Malta is not a very common and popular practice but it doesn't cost much, and offers enough flexibility to explore. Bicycle rental shops are present all over the island but it is always better to book them from beforehand via their websites so as not to be disappointed.

Cycling is an original and fun way of discovering Malta and Gozo, known for their very small size. It is a good idea to cycle on the west of Malta, in the areas of Dingli Cliffs and Fomm ir-Rih as they are far from congested cities and offer a pleasant view.

However, most roads in Malta are dangerous for cyclists; most Maltese motorists are not friendly towards cyclists and there are no bicycle lanes. It is best to stick to country roads making sure to rent mountain bikes as country roads can get bumpy and uncomfortable for city bikes. In summer, do not go cycling between 11:00 and 16:00 as the heat is unbearable.

By charter boat
The boat charter industry has grown considerably in Malta over the last few years. Malta's favourable tax regime for commercial yachting and its central location in the middle of the Mediterranean sea has meant that large, famous charter yachts – such as the Maltese Falcon and a whole range of small and midsized yachts – are now available for day and week charters. The Grand Harbour Marina has become the principal centre for bareboating (self-hire yacht chartering). It is the headquarter of such companies as Yachthelp and Navimerian Malta Yacht Charters.

See
The ancient capital of Mdina, also known as the Silent City, rests at a high point in the heart of the island. Surrounded by the scenic town of Rabat, this fortress is one of Malta's finest jewels, boasting architecture, history and a quality cup of coffee with a splendid view. Mdina gets very peaceful and romantic in the evenings when the day trippers leave.

Valletta is similar in that it boasts a rich history, only being the modern capital, it is very much alive and much more modern, serving as both a shopping area during the day and offering an array of museums and cultural sites. Of particular note is St John's Co-Cathedral, built by one of the earlier Grandmasters of the Knights Hospitaller. It contains the various chapels of the Knights' langue's, with Caravaggio paintings, tapestries and various relics of immense value to the Maltese heritage. The floors of the cathedral are the tombs of the most famous knights of the Order of St. John, and a crypt, though off-limits to tourists, hosts the bodies of some of the most illustrious of Grandmasters, including the city's founder, Jean de Valette.

The Megalithic Temples of Malta are some of the oldest buildings in the world, as such they have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Seven megalithic temples are found on the islands of Malta and Gozo, each the result of an individual development. The two temples of Ggantija on the island of Gozo are notable for their gigantic Bronze Age structures. On the island of Malta, the temples of Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien are unique architectural masterpieces, given the limited resources available to their builders. The Ta'Hagrat and Skorba complexes show how the tradition of temple-building was handed down in Malta. Beware, that access to the Hypogeum is restricted to a maximum of 60 persons a day (10 persons in six shifts), which means tickets must be booked well in advance. This site is well worth visiting - last minute tickets can be looked for the day before and can be enquired at St Elmo’s fort; however these last minute tickets do have a mark-up (€50 last minute v €35 booked in advance as of August 2023)! In Gozo, a rural atmosphere is predominant. Billy Connolly purchased a home in Gozo several years ago, owing to the island's quiet and relaxing nature. Visitors will be interested in taking a look at the impressive geographical feature of the Inland Sea, carved out by the Mediterranean. One is also obliged to visit the Citadel, Gozo's version of Mdina. Gozo is 5 km northwest of Malta and can be reached by a 25-minute crossing from Cirkewwa, the harbour of Malta.

For a look into more traditional Maltese life, the seldom seen south of Malta is a possible option for visitation. Townships like Ghaxaq often escape public notice, but some of the island's finest churches lie in the south. The many churches of Malta are testaments to the style and design of their times. Many towns in the north were stripped of their culture due to rapid urbanisation, but this has been felt less in the south of Malta.

If you visit Malta in summer, be sure you visit one of the town/village feast. Every town or village has at least one feast dedicated to a saint. The feast usually lasts for one week (in most cases from Monday to Sunday), with its peak being usually on Saturday. During this week, the village or town will be decorated with several ornaments and works of art such as statues, lights and paintings on tapestry. In most cases, the feast would also be furnished with fireworks, both air and ground (which are quite spectacular and rather unique to Malta). In most cases, the ground fireworks are presented the day before the actual feast day late at night. There are differences between one village feast and another, and some are more attractive and more famous than others. Some of the most famous feasts are those of Our Lady of the Lily in Mqabba (third Sunday of June), Saint Philip in Zebbug (second Sunday of June), Mount Carmel in Zurrieq (Sunday before the last of July), Saint Mary of Imqabba, Qrendi, and Ghaxaq (on the 15 August), Saint Catherine of Zurrieq (first Sunday of September) and the Nativity of Our Lady in Naxxar (on the 8 September).

During the month of April, a fireworks contest occurs in the Valletta/Floriana area, where different fireworks factories compete with each other exhibiting their finest works both ground fireworks and air fireworks. It is spectacular and above all it's free to attend to.

Quite a few wine festivals are organised during summer, two of which are organised in Valletta and one in Qormi. It is a great experience to taste several Maltese wines at very cheap prices. (In the Qormi festival (September) and Delicata wine festival (August), you buy a €10 cup, and you can drink as much as you like; in the Marsovine wine festival (July), you buy a cup and 14 tokens for €10). A beer festival (July–August) is also organised in Ta' Qali.

Finally, Malta's megalithic temples are the oldest free-standing structures on Earth, and one should not forget to take walks in the countryside. The most popular tourist destinations of Sliema and St. Julians probably have the least to offer as regards a taste of Malta, though they continue to be the most frequented. They are the most modern of locations, with most old buildings having been knocked down due to the monstrous construction industry fuelling the economy. Malta's main nightlife area can be found here, especially in Paceville.

Tourist cards
As a tourist if you are wishing to see a lot of sites it may be worth getting a tourist card.

One card is the Heritage Malta Multisite Pass. For €50 (as of August 2023) you have entry into most of HM’s sites - the only exception is the Hypogeum which is worth seeing but needs to be booked in advance. This card can be paired with a Malta Public Transport pass to effectively get around and see all these sites.

An alternative is an ISeeMalta pass - this allows entrance to a similar (but not exactly the same) number of sites. The pass uses the ISeeMalta as the method of transportation.

It is worth comparing the passes, what’s available, and the prices to see what is most suitable for your needs. Note that the ISeeMalta buses are not well reviewed on TripAdvisor - however this may not be your experience if you choose to use it.

Do
Sample the local delicacies.

In the summer, the island is perfect for water sports and beach activities. The island has been described as an open-air museum by some; one is unlikely to run out of things to see during a visit to Malta. Each township has its own unique sights to offer if one pays close enough attention. Most Maltese citizens have not even visited all the wonders and attractions that this island offers.

Hiking in the countryside offers a taste of rural Malta, especially if trekking along the coast of Gozo.

Although Malta is not famous for its tennis, it is a popular sport throughout the islands. Players on all different levels can congregate at the various tennis courts spread out across Malta to play a game of tennis or watch as regular season games are being played. Because of the warm climate, even in the winter months, tennis is therefore a sport that can be played all year around in Malta. Sailing is a wonderful option, as Malta boasts an impressive array of caves, scenic sunsets, and other views.

The island is surrounded by a limited number of beaches. They get crowded in the high season, so keep this in mind when planning your visit.

There are a number of great annual festivals worth attending. Valletta Carnival - February/March Malta Carnival national activities will be held in Valletta and Floriana. Dance and costume competitions will take place in the capital and Floriana followed by defiles which include triumphal floats, bands, grotesque masks and lots of dance. Malta Carnival is an unforgettable experience of fun, colour, art and merriment.

Għanafest - Malta Mediterranean Folk Music Festival - June The Malta Mediterranean Folk Music Festival is a fabulous 3-day event of Mediterranean folk music, including Maltese folksongs (għana), Maltese songwriters and folk ensembles, together with guest folk musicians from neighbouring Mediterranean countries. Għanafest also hosts a series of workshops on traditional instruments and a special programme for children, and is complemented by traditional Maltese food and the marvelous surroundings of the Argotti Botanical Gardens in Floriana.

Malta Jazz Festival - July The Malta Jazz Festival has a special place in Malta’s cultural calendar, attracting great stars of the international jazz scene to Malta. It has become a hub for the exchange of musical experience – an encounter between musicians of international fame and gifted local artists. The magnificent setting of the historic Ta’ Liesse wharf in Valletta’s Grand Harbour makes the Malta Jazz Festival a uniquely memorable experience.

Malta Arts Festival - July The Malta Arts Festival is the highlight of Malta’s cultural calendar – a showcase of diverse top quality theatre, music and dance performances, and offers something from almost all artistic forms, including collaborations between Maltese and foreign artists. The festival events are held in various venues in and around Valletta, mostly open-air, taking advantage of Malta’s cool summer evenings. The festival’s joint performances and workshops, together with its specially commissioned works, enhance local artistic development and provide impetus for cultural innovation.

Notte Bianca - September/October Notte Bianca is held annually in Valletta and is a spectacular, night-long celebration of culture and the arts. State palaces, historic buildings and museums open their doors almost all night, playing host to visual art exhibitions and music, dance and theatre performances. Streets and squares become platforms for open-air activities, and many cafes and restaurants extend their hours and run pavement stalls. All areas of the capital city, from the entrance gate to the far end of the peninsula are involved and all events are free of charge.

Isle of MTV Malta Special - Held annually at the Fosos square in Floriana, it is the largest open-air free concert in Europe. Worldwide acclaimed artists take the stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 50,000 people.

Dive
Malta is a great place to dive, with it being possible to dive all year round. The water temperature varies from a cool in February/March to warm  in August. The visibility of water is generally high, making it a good place to learn diving as well.

The dive sites are close to shore. Consequently, most dives start there, making everything easier and cheaper. The dive sites include rocky reefs, some wrecks and cave diving (especially interesting is the dive in the Inland Sea in Gozo). There will tend to be more marine life during the warmer months, when you can hope to see tuna, octopus, moray eels, seahorses, fire worms, soft coral along with the usual sea grass and underwater ridges.

Surf
Being an island in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta offers up numerous amazing surf spots stretching all over the coastline. In the summer air temperatures average at 31˚C and sea temperature is a comfortable 25˚C, creating perfect conditions for spending hours in the clear blue ocean. Check out surf spots Ghallis, Palm Beach and St. Thomas, they are all close to the tourist centre of Malta on the north shore.

Christmas in Malta
Christmas is a largely religious affair on the Maltese islands. This is because most Maltese people are Catholic. During the festive season, various Christmas cribs, or Presepji, as they're called in Maltese, can be seen on display in churches and shopping centres.

The Maltese people have many Christmas customs that are unique to the island. A very popular traditional Christmas dessert is Qagħaq tal-Għasel. These are light pastry rings filled with honey.

Money
€

Major currencies other than the euro are not acceptable as an over-the-counter currency. In the past, they were widely accepted years ago and changed on the fly at restaurants and bars. So if you have dollars or pounds, it's best to change them at the plethora of exchange bureaus or banks across the island prior to going out. The Lombard Bank doesn't charge any ATM withdrawal fee.

Transportation
Transportation costs are cheap by European standards. A weekly bus pass costs €25.

Food
Food costs are reasonable, compared to western European capitals. Having a Maltese-sized pizza in a decent restaurant costs from €7 to €12. Snacks (sandwiches, burgers, pizza slices) can be bought from €1.50 to €5. A main course in a higher-level restaurant typically costs €20-30.

Accommodation
Accommodation is reasonably cheap by western European standards. A bed in a dorm can cost around €15, and a double room in rather cheap hotels around €40.

Service
There are many small familyowned businesses in Malta. You might experience lack of servicemindedness by the children of these business owners, since it is traditionally the children that has to help out in the business, whether they like it or not.

Eat
Distinctly Maltese cuisine is hard to find but does exist. The food eaten draws its influences from Italian cuisine. Most restaurants in resort areas like Sliema cater largely to British tourists, offering pub grub like meat and three veg or bangers and mash, and you have to go a little out of the way to find 'real' Maltese food. One of the island's specialities is rabbit (fenek), and small savoury pastries known as pastizzi are also ubiquitous.

The Maltese celebratory meal is fenkata, a feast of rabbit, marinated overnight in wine and bay leaves. The first course is usually spaghetti in rabbit sauce, followed by the rabbit meat stewed or fried (with or without gravy). Look out for specialist fenkata restaurants, such as Ta L'Ingliz in Mgarr.

True Maltese food is quite humble in nature, and rather fish and vegetable based – the kind of food that would have been available to a poor farmer, fisherman, or mason. Thus one would find staples like soppa ta' l-armla (widow's soup) which is basically a coarse mash of whatever vegetables are in season, cooked in a thick tomato stock. Then there's arjoli which is a julienne of vegetables, spiced up and oiled, and to which are added butter beans, a puree made from broadbeans and herbs called bigilla, and whatever other delicacies are available, like Maltese sausage (a confection of spicy minced pork, coriander seeds and parsley, wrapped in stomach lining) or ġbejniet (simple cheeselets made from goats' or sheep milk and rennet, served either fresh, dried or peppered).

Maltese sausage is incredibly versatile and delicious. It can be eaten raw (the pork is salted despite appearances), dried, or roasted. A good plan is to try it as part of a Maltese platter, increasingly available in tourist restaurants. Sun dried tomatoes and bigilla with water biscuits are also excellent. Towards the end of summer one can have one's fill of fried lampuki (dolphin fish) in tomato and caper sauce.

Try to have a bite of ħobż biż-żejt, which is leavened Maltese bread, cut into thick chunks, or else baked unleavened ftira, and served drenched in oil. The bread is then spread with a thick layer of strong tomato paste, and topped (or filled) with olives tuna, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and the optional arjoli (which in its simpler form is called ġardiniera).

For other suggestions, see "Eat" listings in city articles.

Beers
Despite being a small island, there are many different beer brands to try:

Farsons
Simonds Farsons Cisk (Farsons) are the main brewery in Malta and are based in Ħamrun. Malta is mainly known for Cisk (spelt Ċisk in Maltese with a dot above the "C"):

Other local beers, produced by Farsons are:

Other beers
Other beers have been produced in Malta in direct competition with Cisk such as '1565' brewed and bottled in the Lowenbrau brewery in Malta.

In late 2006 another beer was released in the market called "Caqnu".

A lot of beers are also imported from other countries or brewed under license in Malta, such as Carlsberg, Lowenbrau, SKOL, Bavaria, Guinness, Murphy's stout and ale, Kilkenny, John Smith's, Budweiser, Becks, Heineken, Efes, and many more.

Wines
Malta has two indigenous grape varieties, Girgentina and Ġellewza, although most Maltese wine is made from various imported vines. Maltese wines directly derived from grapes are generally of good quality, Marsovin and Delicata being prominent examples, and inexpensive, as little as €0.60–0.95 per bottle. Both wineries have also premium wines which have won various international medals. There are also many amateurs who make wine in their free time and sometimes this can be found in local shops and restaurants, especially in the Mgarr and Siġġiewi area. Premium wines such as Meridiana are an excellent example of the dedication that can be found in local vineyards.

Soft drinks
In addition to producing alcohol, Farsons also produces Kinnie which is the signature soft drink of Malta. They also produce several soft drinks under licence including Pepsi.

Paceville
The main Maltese nightlife district is Paceville (pronounced "pach-a-vil"), just north of St. Julian's. Young Maltese (as young as high school-age) come from all over the island to let their hair down, hence it gets very busy here, especially on weekends (also somewhat on Wednesdays, for midweek drinking sessions). Almost all the bars and clubs have free entry so you can wander from venue to venue until you find something that suits you. The bustling atmosphere, cheap drinks, and lack of cover charges make Paceville well worth a visit. The nightlife crowd becomes slightly older after about midnight when most of the youngsters catch buses back to their towns to meet curfew. Paceville is still going strong until the early hours of the morning, especially on the weekends.

Tap water
Tap water in Malta tastes a bit salty compared to tap water elsewhere, though it does adhere to the EU's water safety standards. The saltiness is because almost all of the drinking water is obtained from the sea via large desalination plants on the west of the island or from the underground aquifer. It does not rain much on Malta and there are no inland lakes or rivers, so the sources of natural freshwater are limited.

Cooking tap water for tea or coffee does not help with the salty taste, so unless you have a means to distill the water by boiling and then condensing it, you'll have to make do with bottled water.

Bottled water
Buy some bottled water if you do not feel comfortable with the slightly salty taste of tap water. Some hotels will provide complimentary bottled water daily as part of your stay.

Learn
Malta has promoted itself successfully as an entirely bilingual nation for Maltese and English. It counts for many educational institutes in the rest of the world as a country where English is the first language and they therefore will often even subsidise students to go there to learn it. The majority of Maltese citizens speak English well, but as in any other country many do not. Overly relying on being able to communicate in English might prove an issue outside the main tourist areas.

Work
For foreigners, work is unfortunately often very hard to find. The Maltese are rather insular and figures show that even in the tourist sector, they are very reluctant to hire people not from the island, though there is a sense that since joining the EU, there is more willingness to hire professionals from abroad as the business sector diversifies.

The two main industries that provide jobs for foreigners in Malta are tourism and gaming. Both employ many expatriates. It's easiest to get work in tourism from May to September or October, selling tickets, doing promotions, or working at a bar or in a hotel. Jobs in gaming are often available to those who speak a foreign language and include call centres, support, sales and IT related work. These jobs are season independent and more stable.

Stay safe
Malta is generally considered safe. However, visitors to Paceville at night should exercise caution.

Due to Malta being a major Mediterranean port, sailors with shore leave tend to become quite rowdy after long voyages. As well, the advent of low-cost air travel coming to Malta has brought an influx of teenagers from across Europe enjoying short cheap weekend breaks in the sun.

Although most public parking lots are free in Malta, parking attendants will importunately extort tips from you calling them "donations". They will make you think it's obligatory telling you that everyone does it. However keep in mind that giving tips is completely voluntary and you don't have to do that, especially if you feel that the parking attendant is rude. Feel free to just walk away. The parking attendants won't damage your car in case you deny tipping (but be prepared that they may yell at you). Remember, if the parking is not free (like at the airport), there will be a sign.

People of colour have been known to experience racial discrimination on Malta.

Drugs
In 2021, Malta became the first country in the EU to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. However, while growing your own and social clubs for sharing are permitted, sale and public consumption remain prohibited.

Stay healthy
The main health risk in Malta is the fierce sun in the Spring and Summer, which can scorch unsuspecting tourists. Apply sunblock liberally to avoid getting sunburned!

Water from the tap is safe to drink but has a slightly salty taste to it because much of it is obtained through desalination.

There are many free and usually clean public toilets all over the country. Toilet paper is not always available though.

For ambulance, fire or police dial 112. The main hospitals are Mater Dei Telephone: +356 2545 0000 and Gozo General Hospital in Gozo, +356 2156 1600. The Maltese Ministry of Health maintains a complete list of government hospital services.

Respect

 * While a bit reserved, Maltese people are friendly, generous, and helpful in nature.
 * Maltese people tend to speak more loudly than the mainlanders, so they may sound like they are shouting at you even if the volume is normal.
 * Malta is a strictly Roman Catholic country; carousing by tourists, while tolerated to some extent, is not looked on very favourably, especially outside of St. Julian's and Paceville.
 * Dress respectfully when visiting churches. As a guide, men must remove any hats and sunglasses. Make sure your knees and shoulders are covered. Some churches, especially those on popular package tours, provide shawls and/or skirts for any inappropriately dressed visitors.
 * You may be refused entry to a church if a mass has already started, so make sure you arrive promptly if you wish to visit.

Mobile networks
The country has three mobile phone networks available: EPIC, GO Mobile, and Melita Mobile. Due to international agreements with providers around the globe, EPIC, GO and Melita are sure to be a part of your carrier's roaming plan. Malta uses GSM for its mobile services and alternatively, travellers can get a SIM card for their own unlocked smartphone to roam with.

The three mobile networks also offer eSIMs that can be purchased before arrival. There are also other providers which provide Malta-only and pan-EU eSIMs that are suitable for use.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is almost always available in hotels and hostels, and many cafés and restaurants offer a free connection too. Additionally, there are some "Free Wi-Fi" zones around the island. The ferry from Malta Island to Gozo also offers free Wi-Fi.

title: Malta


text:
Malta Island

Malta Island is the largest island and main population centre of Malta.

Towns

 * — the capital, named for Jean Parisot de la Valette, a French nobleman who was Grand Master of the Order of St. John and leader of the defenders during the Turkish siege of Malta in 1565.
 * — a popular tourist resort, with nice beaches, bars and such but no historical and sightseeing attractions.
 * (Three Cities) — the name used when referring to the three historic and ancient cities of Birgu (aka Vittoriosa), Isla (aka Senglea) and Bormla (aka Cospicua), three towns conglomerated by 16th century fortifications called the Cottonera lines.
 * — fishing village south of the island
 * — an enchanting promenade ensures you a pleasant evening here
 * – a locality surrounded by the largest and some of the most wonderful sandy beaches on the island
 * — Malta's well-preserved quiet old capital. pronounced 'im-dina'
 * — the 3rd largest city (in terms of population) in Malta.
 * — a neighbor of Buġibba with a few more sightseeing attractions.
 * — hosts numerous historical attractions such as St. Paul's catacombs and the Roman Villa
 * — perfect area for nightlife & entertainment
 * — perfect area for nightlife & entertainment

Other destinations

 * (Il-Mixquqa) – one of Malta's most beautiful sandy beaches, on the northwest coast of the island.
 * Northern Harbor of Malta
 * Southern Harbor of Malta

Get in
is at Luqa, see Malta.

Ferries sail from Sicily to Valletta and frequently from Gozo to Cirkewwa on the north tip of Malta island.

Get around
The old rattlers of the 1990s were replaced with new air-conditioned coaches. Public transport on Malta covers much of the island and is cheap. It can get crowded in busy times though, with locals and holiday makers, depending on the route. Fares for non-residents are €1.50 (winter) or €2 (summer) for a 2-hour ticket (but you can buy 12 trips in advance for €15) and €21 for a 7-day ticket; all these permit one to travel any distance on any routes within the validity period, including on Gozo.

Do
Malta Island has some excellent beaches, perfect for a day of sunbathing or water sports. Fine examples include:

Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa
The Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa are two adjoining bays carved in the coastline of northwestern Malta. Golden Bay is probably the most popular beach in the area and attracts people of all kinds. And for good reason, as you'll find everything you need for a day at the beach: perfect sands, some pleasant beach clubs and a good range of water sports activities. The water is good for swimming, water skiing, banana rides and (when the waves allow) boogie boarding. Red flags will warn you if strong currents are present. Għajn Tuffieħa boasts similar attractions but is slightly less crowded, possibly because of the long stairs leading to its sands. The beaches are easily reachable by car and a parking is a available. Alternatively, regular bus services run to and from towns in the region. Take bus 44 from Valetta or bus 223 and 224 from Bugibba. If you're not on a budget, you can also stay or eat at the beach in the 5-star Radisson Blu hotel, considered one of the best in the country.

Buy
Malta uses the euro.

Stay safe
There was a little rowdiness in the St Julians area a few decades ago but Malta is now generally very safe and is a quiet, family destination.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Malta Island


text:
Maltese phrasebook

Maltese (Malti) is the main language of Malta.

Pronunciation guide
The Maltese alphabet consists of 30 letters.

Vowels

 * a : like 'a' in "after"
 * e : like 'e' in "enter"
 * i : like 'i' in "if"
 * o : like 'o' in "often"
 * u : like 'oo' in "too"
 * ie : like 'ea' in "mean"

Consonants

 * b : like 'b' in "ball"
 * ċ : like 'ch' in "church"
 * d : like 'd' in "door"
 * f : like 'f' in "fork"
 * g : like 'g' in "gone"
 * ġ : like 'j' in "jump"
 * għ : mostly silent, except at the end of a word or immediately before 'h', in which case, it sounds like 'ħ'
 * h : mostly silent, except at the end of a word, in which case, it sounds like 'ħ'
 * ħ : like 'h' in "hold"
 * j : like 'y' in "yellow"
 * k : like 'c' in "cake"
 * l : like 'l' in "love"
 * m : like 'm' in "make"
 * n : like 'n' in "nice"
 * p : like 'p' in "pig"
 * q : glottal stop, no direct equivalent. Similar to the Cockney English pronunciation of 'tt' in "bottle"
 * r : like 'r' in "rail"
 * s : like 's' in "saw"
 * t : like 't' in "tail"
 * v : like 'v' in "victory"
 * w : like 'w' in "weight"
 * x : like 'sh' in "shore"
 * z : like 'ts' in "dots"
 * ż : like 'z' in "zero"

Basics

 * Hello. : Hello. (HEH-low)
 * Hello (informal) : Aw (AA-w)
 * Hello. (Good morning) : Bonġu. (BON-ju)
 * How are you? : Kif inti? (kiyf int-EE?)
 * Fine, thank you. : Tajjeb. Grazzi. (TAI-yeb GRUTS-ee)
 * What is your name? : X'jismek? (SHYI-smeck?)
 * My name is ______. : Jisimni ______. (yi-SIM-nee_____ .)
 * Nice to meet you. : Għandi pjaċir. (AAn-dee pya-CHEER)
 * Please. : Jekk jogħġbok. (yek YOH-jbok)
 * Thank you. : Grazzi. (GRUTS-ee)
 * You're welcome. : Mhux problema. (moosh pro-bleh-MA)
 * Yes. : Iva. (Eve-a)
 * No. : Le. (Le)
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : Skużi. (SCOO-zee)
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : Skużani. (SCOO-za-nee)
 * I'm sorry. : Jiddispjaċini. (yid-dis-pya-CHEE-NEE)
 * Goodbye : Saħħa. (SAH-ha)
 * Goodbye (informal) : Ċaw. (CHA-W)
 * I can't speak Maltese [well]. : Ma nitkellimx bil-Malti [tajjeb]. (maa nit-kel-limsh bill mal-ti [thai-yeb])
 * Do you speak English? : Titkellem bl-Ingliz? (Tit-kel-lem blin-gleez?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : Hawn xi ħadd jitkellem bl-Ingliz? (awn shi hut jit-kel-lem blin-gleez?)
 * Help! : Ajjut! (I-yut!)
 * Look out! : Attent! (AAT-tent!)
 * Good morning. : Bonġu. (BON-ju)
 * Good day. : Il-ġurnata t-tajba. (ill JUR-na-ta it THAI-ba)
 * Good evening. : Bonswa. (BON-swaa)
 * Good night. : Il-lejl it-tajjeb. (ill leyl it THAI-yeb)
 * I don't understand. : Ma nifhimx. (maa ni-fimx)
 * Where is the toilet[, please?] : Fejn hu t-toilet[, jekk jogħġbok?] (feyn ooh it TOY-litt, yek YOH-jbok?)

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : Ħallini. (hahl-LEE-nee)
 * Don't touch me! : Tmissnix! (tmiss-NEESH)
 * I'll call the police. : Se ngħajjat il-pulizija. (se NIGH-yat ill poo-lits-EE-ya)
 * Police! : Pulizija! (poo-lits-EE-ya!)
 * Stop! Thief! : Waqqfuh! Ħalliel! (wa-eh-FOOH! hahl-LIEL!)
 * I need your help. : Tista' tgħini? (tis-TA tey-nee?)
 * It's an emergency. : Emergenza. (eh-mer-GEN-sa)
 * I'm lost. : Intlift. (in-tlift)
 * I lost my bag. : Tlift il-basket. (tlift ill BUS-ket)
 * I lost my wallet. : Tlift il-wallet. (tlift ill WOH-let)
 * I'm sick. : Imradt. (im-rudt)
 * I've been injured. : Weġġajt. (WEDGE-iyt)
 * I need a doctor. : Għandi bżonn tabib. (AAndi bzon TAA-bib)
 * Can I use your phone? : Nista' nużalek it-telefon? (nis-TAA noo-ZAA-lek it te-le-fon?)

Numbers

 * 1 : wieħed (WEE-hed)
 * 2 : tnejn (tneyn)
 * 3 : tlieta (TLEE-ta)
 * 4 : erbgħa (EHR-ba)
 * 5 : ħamsa (HAM-sa)
 * 6 : sitta (SIT-ta)
 * 7 : sebgħa (SEH-ba)
 * 8 : tmienja (tmeehn-ya)
 * 9 : disgħa (DIH-sa)
 * 10 : għaxra (AA-shra)
 * 11 : ħdax (hdash)
 * 12 : tnax (tnash)
 * 13 : tlettax (tleht-TAASH)
 * 14 : erbatax (ehr-ba-TAASH)
 * 15 : ħmistax (hmiss-TAASH)
 * 16 : sittax (sit-TAASH)
 * 17 : sbatax (zba-TAASH)
 * 18 : tmintax (tmin-TAASH)
 * 19 : dsatax (tsa-TAASH)
 * 20 : għoxrin (osh-REEN)
 * 21 : wieħed u għoxrin (WEE-hed oo osh-REEN)
 * 22 : tnejn u għoxrin (tneyn oo osh-REEN)
 * 23 : tlieta u għoxrin (TLEE-ta oo osh-REEN)
 * 30 : tletin (tleh-TEEN)
 * 40 : erbgħin (ehr-BAYN)
 * 50 : ħamsin (hum-SEEN)
 * 60 : sittin (sit-TEEN)
 * 70 : sebgħin (seh-BAYN)
 * 80 : tmenin (tmeh-NEEN)
 * 90 : disgħin (dih-SAYN)
 * 100 : mija (MEE-ya)
 * 101 : mija u wieħed (MEE-ya oo WEE-hed)
 * 200 : mitejn (mee-TEYN)
 * 300 : tliet mija (tlet MEE-ya)
 * 1,000: elf (elf)
 * 2,000: elfejn (el-FAYN)
 * 1,000,000 : miljun (mill-YOON)
 * number _____ (train, bus, etc.) : numru _____ (noo-mroo)
 * half : nofs (nofs)
 * less : inqas (IN-aas)
 * more : iktar (ICK-tar)

Note: Some phrasing involving numbers may be difficult to catch for anyone not familiar with the Maltese language.

Time

 * now : issa (is-SAH)
 * later : iktar tard (ick-TAR tard)
 * before : qabel (AA-bel)
 * morning : filgħodu (fill-O-doo)
 * afternoon : wara n-nofsinhar (WAA-rah in nofs-in-aar)
 * evening : filgħaxija (fill-AA-shee-ya)
 * night : bil-lejl (bill leyl)

Clock time
Note that 'one o'clock' and 'two o'clock' are exceptions to the rule of reading clock time. Times between 'three o'clock' to 'eleven o'clock' are told normally and told normally by using the numbers.

 * one o'clock AM : is-siegħa ta' filgħodu (is SEE-yah tah fill-O-doo)
 * two o'clock AM : is-sagħtejn ta' filgħodu (is SAH-teyn tah fill-O-doo)
 * three o'clock AM : it-tlieta ta' filgħodu (it TLIH-ta tah fill-O-doo)
 * noon : nofsinhar (nofs-in-aar)
 * one o'clock PM : is-siegħa ta' wara n-nofsinhar (is SEE-yah tah WAA-rah in nofs-in-aar)
 * two o'clock PM : is-sagħtejn ta' wara n-nofsinhar (is SAH-teyn tah WAA-rah in nofs-in-aar)
 * three o'clock AM : it-tlieta ta' wara n-nofsinhar (it TLIH-ta tah WAA-rah in nofs-in-aar)
 * midnight : nofsilejl (nofs-ill-leyl)

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : _____ minuta(minuti) (mih-NOO-tah (mih-NOO-tee))
 * _____ hour(s) : _____ siegħa(t) (see-aa (see-aat))
 * _____ day(s) : _____ jum(jiem) (yoom (yiem))
 * _____ week(s) : _____ ġimgħa(t) (jim-aa (jim-aat))
 * _____ month(s) : _____ xahar(xhur) (xaar (xoor))
 * _____ year(s) : _____ sena(snin) (se-na (snin))

Days

 * today : illum (il-LOOM)
 * yesterday : ilbieraħ (il-BIH-rah)
 * tomorrow : għada (AA-da)
 * this week : dil-ġimgħa (dill jim-aa)
 * last week : il-ġimgħa l-oħra (ill jim-aa loh-ra)
 * next week : il-ġimgħa ddieħla (ill jim-aa id-dih-la)

 * Sunday : Il-Ħadd (ill hut)
 * Monday : It-Tnejn (it tneyn)
 * Tuesday : It-Tlieta (it TLEE-ta)
 * Wednesday : L-Erbgħa (LEHR-ba)
 * Thursday : Il-Ħamis (ill ham-EES)
 * Friday : Il-Ġimgħa (ill jim-aa)
 * Saturday : Is-Sibt (iss sibt)

Months

 * January : Jannar (yan-NAR)
 * February : Frar (frar)
 * March : Marzu (mar-tsoo)
 * April : April (aap-REEL)
 * May : Mejju (MAY-yoo)
 * June : Ġunju (JOON-yoo)
 * July : Lulju (LOO-lyu)
 * August : Awwissu (aaw-WIS-soo)
 * September : Settembru (set-TEM-bru)
 * October : Ottubru (ot-TOO-broo)
 * November : Novembru (noh-VEM-broo)
 * December : Diċembru (dee-CHEM-broo)

Colours

 * black : iswed (ISS-wet)
 * white : abjad (AHB-yat)
 * gray : griż (grees)
 * red : aħmar (AHH-mar)
 * blue : blu (blu)
 * yellow : isfar (ISS-far)
 * green : aħdar (AHH-dar)
 * orange : oranġjo (oh-RAHN-jyo)
 * purple : vjola (VYO-lah)
 * brown : kannella (kahn-NEL-lah)
 * pink : roża (RO-sa)

Transportation
Note that there are no trains in Malta, so asking train relating information will not be necessary.

Place Names
In general, the name of the language is not the same as the country. e.g. Spanja → Spain, Spanjol → Spanish Amerika → America, Amerikan → American

 * Canada : Kanada (KA-naa-daa)
 * England : Ingilterra (ING-eel-TER-raa)
 * France : Franza (FRAN-tsa)
 * Italy : Italja (IT-al-yaa)
 * Germany : Ġermanja (GER-maan-yaa)
 * Holland : Olanda (OL-aan-daa)
 * Australia : Awstralja (AUW-straal-yaa)
 * Finland : Filandja (FEEL-aand-yaa)
 * Russia : Russja (RU-ss-YAA)
 * Belgium : Belġu (BEL-guu)
 * Luxembourg : Lussenburgu (LUS-sen-buur-guu)
 * Poland : Polonja (POL-on-yaa)
 * Croatia : Kroazja (CROW-aats-yaa)
 * Denmark : Danimarka (DA-nee-maar-kaa)
 * Scandinavia : Skandinavja (SKAAN-deen-aav-yaa)
 * Sicily : Sqalijja (SEU-aalee-yyaa)
 * Europe : Ewropa (EW-ro-paa)
 * Africa : Afrika (AF-ree-kaa)

Bus and train

 * How much is a ticket to _____? : Kemm hu biljett għal _____? (kemm oo bill-YET aal ______)
 * One ticket to _____, please. : Biljett wieħed għal _____, jekk jogħġbok. (bill-YET WEE-hed aal ________, yek YOH-jbok)
 * Where does this bus go? : Għal fejn hi din? (aal feyn ee deen?)
 * Where is the bus to _____? : Fejn hi tal-linja għal _____? (...)
 * Does this bus stop in _____? : Din tieqaf _____? (...)
 * When does the bus for _____ leave? : Fiex ħin titlaq titlaq għal _____? (...)
 * When will this bus arrive in _____? : Fiex ħin tasal f' _____? (...)

Directions

 * How do I get to _____ ?: Kif nasal sa ______? (keef NAH-sal saa _______)
 * ...the bus station? : ...it-terminus? (it ter-MIH-nus)
 * ...the airport? : ...l-ajruport? (liy-roo-PORT)
 * ...the youth hostel? : ...il-hostel? (ill hoss-TEL)
 * ...the _____ hotel? : ...il-_____ hotel? (ill ______ ho-TEL)
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British embassy? : ...l-ambaxxata Amerikana/Kanadiża/Awstraljana/Ingliża? (lam-baash-shaa-ta aa-meh-ree-KAA-na/kaa-naa-DEE-sa/aaw-stral-YAA-na/een-GLEE-sa)
 * Where are there a lot of... : Fejn hemm ħafna... (feyn emm haaf-na...)
 * ...hotels? : ...hotels? (ho-tels?)
 * ...restaurants? : ...ristoranti? (ris-to)
 * ...bars? : ...bars? (bars)
 * ...sites to see? : ...affarijiet x'tara? (af-fa-REE-jiet SHTA-raa)
 * Can you show me on the map? : Tista' turini fuq il-mappa? (tis-taa tu-REE-nee foo-UH ill map-pa?)
 * street : triq (trih-uh)
 * Turn left. : Dur fuq ix-xellug. (...)
 * Turn right. : Dur fuq il-lemin. (...)
 * left : xellug (...)
 * right : lemin (...)
 * straight ahead : ibqa' miexi (...)
 * towards the _____ : lejn il- _____ (...)
 * past the _____ : aqbez il- _____ (...)
 * before the _____ : qabel il- _____ (...)
 * Watch for the _____. : Stenna sakemm tara il- _____. (...)
 * intersection : salib it-toroq (...)
 * north : tramuntana (...)
 * south : nofsinhar (...)
 * east : lvant (...)
 * west : punent (...)
 * uphill : fit-telgħa (...)
 * downhill : fin-niżla (...)

Taxi

 * Taxi! : Taxi! (...)
 * Take me to _____, please. : Ħudni sal- _____, jekk jogħġbok. (...)
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : Kemm tiswa biex tasal sal- _____? (...)
 * Take me there, please. : Ħudni s'hemm, jekk jogħġbok. (...)

title: Maltese phrasebook


text:
Maluku

The Maluku Islands, also known as the Moluccas or the Spice Islands, are a region of Indonesia lying between Sulawesi and Papua. They are divided into North Maluku Province and Maluku Province.

These are the famous Spice Islands, which drew Indian, Chinese, Arab and eventually European traders in search of cloves, nutmeg, mace and several other spices that were at the time grown only in these islands. For European traders, these spices were almost as precious as gold. Maluku was the first part of what is now Indonesia to be colonised by Europeans, first the Portuguese, then Spanish and finally the Dutch. As a result, many Moluccans have European names.

The islands are still somewhat off-the-beaten track for travelers. Because of their isolation and lack of infrastructure, some of the small islands are a hidden paradise. Transport can be frustrating, but the combination of pristine reefs, tropical beaches, forest-coated volcanoes, centuries-old forts and charming local culture make the effort worthwhile.

Understand
The 632 islands of Maluku are sprawled across a vast expanse of ocean, sitting astride one of the world’s most volatile volcanic belts. Maluku is blessed with incredible sea gardens, idyllic, tropical beaches and rugged, forest-coated volcanic mountains. In 1511, the Portuguese built their first fort in the area on the island of Ternate, and cornered the clove trade. The Spanish tried to break the monopoly with Magellan's expedition of 1519, officially named Armada de Molucca. The Dutch, who arrived in 1599, mounted the first serious threat to Portuguese control of Maluku’s treasures. Armed conflicts broke out, taking a heavy toll from the islands' populations as well as the rival European powers. When the Dutch finally emerged as victors they enforced their trade monopoly with an iron fist. Whole villages were razed to the ground and thousands of islanders were massacred, especially on the island of Banda.

The British briefly occupied Maluku during the Napoleonic Wars, but Dutch rule was restored in 1814 and it wasn’t until 1863 that the compulsory cultivation of spices was abolished in the province. Now fish and other sea products are Maluku’s major sources of revenue, but nickel, oil, manganese and various kinds of timber also contribute to the province’s wealth.

The main gateway into Maluku is through the provincial capital Ambon, which is served by regular flights to most parts of the archipelago. Air and sea transportation connect the islands with 79 seaports and 25 airports. Roads on many of the islands provide access to the more remote places of interest.

Local people
Prior to the inward migration of Austronesian peoples in the early twentieth century under the Dutch, the inhabitants of Maluku were Melanesian. That inward migration continues today, when Maluku is part of Indonesia. Christianity and Islam are the most common religions. Christianity arrived with the Portuguese and Spanish before Dutch colonisation. The Sultanate of Ternate and Tidore was instrumental in spreading Islam in the north Moluccas, as were Arab traders along the coast of Ambon and its surrounding islands. Indian, Arab, Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch settlers were later added to this Melanesian-Austronesian mix. More recent arrivals include Bugis traders from Sulawesi and Javanese transmigrants.

The people of Maluku are not very familiar with foreigners. Don't be shy, just play along if they ask for a photo.

Most people are bilingual, they can speak their own local language, as well as Indonesian. English isn't widely spoken. People in more developed areas are more likely to understand English than in the isolated areas. A common language in Ambon and nearby Ceram is Ambonese Malay, a Malay-based creole. Local languages include those in Ternate, Tidore and West Makian. More than 130 languages were once spoken across the islands but, due to the increasing use of Indonesian, many of the original languages are now endangered.

Regions
Maluku is administratively divided into two provinces.
 * North Maluku Province (Maluku Utara): Covers the northern part of the maluku islands, the new province is home to the "Halmahera rain forests" ecoregion and is home to a number of plant and animal species unique to the islands. Tourism is small, but growing. Most of the islands are uninhabited. Prominent islands include Halmahera (Jailolo), Obi island, Morotai island, the Sula islands, Ternate and Tidore. It is also home to the once mighty Ternate Sultanate, although the Sultan no longer has any political power over Ternate or the region.
 * North Halmahera (Halmahera Utara) district consists of the Western half of the northern arm of Halmahera Island plus North Loloda sub-district around the Northern cape and Morotai Island up to the Northeast. The area is sprinkled with beautiful white and black sand beaches which are accessible both by road and boat. Off the coast of North Halamahera there are also numerous small islands, both inhabited and uninhabited, with a lot of excellent snorkeling and swimming.
 * Maluku Province, sometimes South Maluku (Maluku Selatan): Covers the central and southern part of the Maluku islands, a bit more developed than its northern counterpart. Its biggest city is Ambon city, which also serves as the main seaport for the province and eastern Indonesia as a whole. Important islands include Ambon island, Aru, Babar, the Banda islands, Buru, Ceram (Seram), Kei, Moa, Saparua, and Tanimbar.

Cities

 * — the main city and seaport of Ambon Island and eastern Indonesia in general, capital of Maluku province. Although Ambon experienced sectarian conflicts in the early 2000s, it is a pluralistic city where the inhabitants come from different ethnic backgrounds such as Bugis, Balinese, Javanese, Makassarese, Minang, Flobamora (Flores, Sumba, Alor and Timor tribes), Arabian, Chinese, Dutch, German, Portuguese and Spanish. Also known as Ambon Manise (which means "beautiful" or "pretty"), it is one of the most advanced cities in east Indonesia. Main tourist attractions include beaches and old forts scattered in and around the city.
 * — a coastal town on the island of Seram, and the capital of the Central Maluku Regency (Kebupaten Maluku Tengah). Masohi also serves as the headquarters for the Manusela National Park.
 * — ex-capital of the North Maluku province on the island of the same name. The current Sultan's Palace, built in 1796, is now partly a museum containing relics from Ternate Sultanates and pre-colonial era.
 * — adjacent to Ternate, the island was an independent sultanate, rival to Ternate and an important spice trading center.
 * — the capital of North Halmahera.

National Parks

 * Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park. Built in 2004, this national park is vital for the survival of numerous endemic bird species in North Maluku. The national park is also designated as home for Togutil tribe. Activities include birdwatching and jungle track. Address: Empat Puluh Road, Sofifi, Maluku Utara Province.
 * Manusela National Park. Coastal forest, swamp forest, lowland forest, and montane forest, reaching up to the 3,027 m high Mount Binaiya, the national park is surrounded with crystal clear water and tropical landscape. Also notable as being a stronghold for many unique bird species, such as the salmon-crested cockatoo. It also has many snorkelling and hiking spots, beautiful coral reefs, underwater caves, and a small resort for visitors to stay. There are 2 villages that are usually used as a gateway to enter the park (as well as the interior of Seram island): Sawai and Wahai. Both villages have a small but growing tourism industry. Address: Kelang 1 Road, Kotak pos 9, Masohi, Central Maluku.

Beaches

 * Sulamadaha Beach. Located in a village with the same name, Sulamadaha beach is unique because of its black-sanded beach with colourful reefs and clear ocean surrounding it. The price is Rp2,500 per person (as of 2014). It is about 14 km from Ternate city and can be reached from there by angkot or private vehicles in about 1 hour. Most people snorkel or dive here. In addition, visitors can also enjoy water games like Banana Boat. Everyone is charged Rp 35,000 to try this boat.
 * Ora Beach. Located at the edge of Manusela National Park, Seram islands, it offers the chance of staying on top of the clear blue seawater. It's a bit like the Maldives or Bora Bora, but cheaper.

Historical sites and museums

 * Fort Amsterdam. A fort and a blockhouse in Hila town of Ambon Island. The blockhouse was built in 1637 by the Dutch East Indies Company. Before the fort was built, a trading lodge was established here by Francisco Serrão in 1512, a Portuguese explorer and a cousin of Ferdinand Magellan.
 * Fort Belgica. A heritage 17th-century Portuguese fort that was built atop a hill on the southwestern part of the island of Banda Neira, Maluku Tengah. The fort acted as a fortification system for the islands of Banda, which were at the time the only place in the world where nutmeg was produced. In addition to the historical value, this place also has a stunning view. In January 2015, Belgica Fort was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List as part of the Historic and Marine Landscape of the Banda Islands.
 * Fort Victoria. The oldest colonial fort in the city of Ambon, is now a tourist attraction. Being situated right in the middle of town, visitors can easily walk their way from Mardika Terminal in the city center. Pattimura, an Indonesian national hero and a symbol of independence, was hanged here.
 * Fort Duurstede. A historic 17th-century Dutch fort in Saparua. In 1817 the fort was conquered by local leader Thomas Matulessi, famously known as Pattimura, who had all the soldiers as well as the official Dutch Resident and his family killed. The fort has been restored and is open to visitors. Free entrance.
 * Museum Kedaton Sultan Ternate (Palace of the Sultan of Ternate Museum). A museum of relics from the era of the Sultanate of Ternate. The museum is located in the Village of Sao-sio, Ternate. It was built as the palace for the Sultanate of Ternate.
 * Sultan Ternate Mosque. An old mosque built in the Ternate Sultanate era, this is one of the oldest mosques in all of Maluku.
 * Wapauwe Old Mosque. A historic mosque in Kaitetu village, a village in the Wawane Mountains on the north part of cape Keitetu. Established in 1414, it is the oldest mosque in the Moluccas and possibly the oldest mosque in Indonesia which has been maintained in its original state.

Islands

 * . This small group of islands is a must when visiting Ambon and Maluku. Visitors typically spend their time getting massages on the beach, snorkelling, fishing, going for long walks on the beach, going to the caves, or learning how to cook the Maluku way.
 * . A small group of ten volcanic islands in the Banda Sea. Until the mid-19th century, the Banda Islands were the world's only source of the spices nutmeg and mace, produced from the nutmeg tree. The main town is the historic city of Banda Naira. Banda is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling.
 * . Forested island lying to the north of Halmahera. The island has relics of World War II.
 * . An island with a history of Dutch colonialism and Indonesia's new order. It also has spectacular natural sites.

By plane
The two main airports of Maluku are in Ternate (North Maluku) and in Ambon: Flights from Jakarta to Maluku are usually cheaper with a stopover in Makassar or Manado, rather than direct.
 * Sultan Baabullah Airport on the island of Ternate has regular flights from Manado, Makassar, and Jakarta.
 * Pattimura Airport on the island of Ambon has regular flights from Makassar and Jakarta, and also serves flights from several airports in Papua.
 * Pitu Airport on the island of Morotai in the far north of Maluku is served by flights from Manado.
 * Also - Karel Sadsuitubun Airport

By ferry
Several ports, such as Ambon, Banda Naira, Ternate, and Tual are served by either Indonesia's national ferry company PELNI, or private companies such as ASDP Indonesia Ferry. There are also smaller, more basic local boats to every significant island in southern Maluku province. The neighboring Lease Islands and Seram have frequent speedboat and ferry connections with Ambon.

By boat
Ferries connect major cities and islands in Maluku and are arguably the easiest way (but not the fastest) to travel across the archipelago. For example, a direct trip from Ambon to Ternate may take 18 hours. Other trips across the archipelago may take almost a day (For example, from Saumlaki to Banda Naira). Prices vary across the region and can be more than Rp200,000 for adults (For example, the Banda Naira-Tual-Dobo route).

By road
Ambon and Seram island in particular has a decent network of roads reaching all of its villages. Buses, bemos and ojeks are the main forms of public transport, though taxis could also be hired. Other places may not have asphalted roads and therefore very hard to access.

See
Since Maluku is an archipelago, there are lots of white sand beaches and corals islands to explore. Some are locally famous, most are either hard to access or unheard of. Because of isolation and the lack of pollution in the region, a lot of them, if not all, are very pristine. This in turn preserves some of the world's last remaining coral reefs. But with tourism continue to develop in the region, there will be plenty of change in the future.

Maluku's colonial history also left behind a large number of historical sites, from old forts to colonial buildings. Most are located in Ambon and Bandaneira, but other historical sites remain scattered throughout these little islands. Decades without any significant changes creates some of the best preserved colonial sites in Indonesia.

Do

 * Diving and snorkeling in various spectacular spot with many corals and fish in Ambon, Banda Islands, and Ternate. Also, the wreck diving in Morotai Island.
 * Mountaineering on Mount Api Banda, Mount Binaiya, and Mount Gamalama.
 * Sun bathing on numerous white sand beaches on Kei Islands.

Eat
The Maluku islands cuisine is rich with seafood. Some dishes look like ordinary Indonesian dishes (with savory taste and a lot of spices), but some are quite unique both in taste and ingredients. An example of the latter is Sagu Woku Komo-Komo, made from sago and fish offal, which is said to taste better than it looks.

Seafood dishes such as the Gohu Ikan (also known among Mollucans as Ternate's sashimi), use more conventional ingredients. It is made out of fresh tuna combined with lemon juice, basil, coconut oil and mashed peanuts. Other seafood dishes include Ikan Kuah Pala Banda (slow-cooked fish soup with spices and a savory-sour taste), Ikan Komu Asar (smoked tuna, usually served with Colo-Colo Sambal), and Kohu-Kohu (a dish made from coconut, anchovies, long beans, and bean sprouts eaten with Kasbi or cassava).

The staple food here, along with the rest of East Indonesia, is papeda or sago congee. It has a glue-like consistency and texture and is commonly eaten with yellow soup made from mackerel, tuna, or mubara fish spiced with turmeric and lime. Vegetables such water spinach and bunga pepaya (papaya flower bud vegetables) are also eaten with papeda. The main differences between papeda from Maluku and from Papua are the taste and texture: Maluku's papeda tends to be bland and a bit chewier than its Papuan counterpart.

Although not as popular as papeda, rice-based dishes do exist in Maluku. One of the most common is Nasi Lapola, a steamed dish made by combining tolo beans, grated coconut, and rice. Another rice-based dish is Nasi Kelapa, rice with fish and grated coconut.

For dessert (arguably the region's favorite) is Bubur Sagu Ubi, a dessert made from chewy sago and red potatoes (ubi merah) served with coconut milk and palm sugar sauce. The result is a sweet and quite nutritious dessert with a little bit of savor to balance the sweetness of palm sugar. Another dessert, Talam Sagu Bakar, is a dessert made from sago, walnuts, and red beans that are roasted to dry.

Like many other parts of the world, Maluku also has its own coffee drinks. Kopi Rarobang is a robusta coffee served with a mix of young ketapang seed and mashed cloves.

Drink
Maluku as a region doesn’t have a lot of places specifically designated for nightlife. You might find cafés in bigger city such as Ambon, but that’s about it.

Similarly, just like the rest of Indonesia alcohol is not something you can easily find. Maluku does have its own local liquor called Sopi, but you can’t really buy it since it is illegal to make and purchase Sopi. Sopi is a liquor that has been very popular and ingrained to the general society, made from fermentation of sugar palm sap and has a level of alcohol above 50%. The making of Sopi that produces its distinctive flavor is the addition of Husor root powder and the use of bamboo for distillation. Usually drunk by locals at traditional ceremonies, the production of Sopi is typically done in isolated villages away from authorities.

There are efforts to legalise sopi by some people due to its status as a traditional drink (therefore, part of Maluku's heritage), but so far nothing has been done in fear of "endangering public safety". At least for now Sopi is not something that tourists can buy, so you probably should stay away from it.

Stay safe
Maluku experienced bad riots between 1999 and 2004, but peace has returned and the people are getting on with their lives.

Despite what certain Indonesian embassies and websites might tell you, foreigners no longer need special permits to visit Maluku, and the entire region has been completely safe to visit for years. However, try not to be in Ambon around 25 April, when tensions may flare up due to the anniversary of the separatist RMS movement.

The most common crime for travelers to be aware of is theft. Violent crime is rare, however, it's wise to be extra cautious. The cities in Maluku tend to be small (both in size and population) and the traffic here is less chaotic than Java.

Stay healthy
Malaria is a problem, not only in Maluku but also in many parts of eastern Indonesia; most travellers take preventive drugs. There are also risks of other mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue and Zika; the Maluku islands are part of a WHO Category 2 area, meaning moderate risk of infection. See mosquitoes for defences against them; both insect repellents and insecticide-treated fabrics can be used.

There aren't many hospitals and health centres in the region (especially the isolated islands), but there are at least 3 hospitals in Ambon city: RSUD Dr. M. Haulussy, Siloam Hospitals Ambon, and Bhayangkara Hospital.

Go next

 * To the east of the islands are the Raja Ampat diving site resorts, but there are no connecting commercial flights or ships. Raja Ampat can be accessed by boat from Sorong in West Papua Regency
 * Multiple daily flights can be taken to Makassar

title: Maluku


text:
Malvan

Malvan is a fishing port town of 19,000 people (2011) in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Malvan has a very nice sea-shore. But it is mainly known for famous Sindhudurg fort. Maratha king Shri Shivaji Maharaj built this fort on island of Kurte.

Understand
Apart from the fort, you can relax on the beaches of Tarkarli and Chiwla beach. These beaches are neat and clean and very less crowded. Also one more spot is the Rock Garden. One temple built by Jayant Salgaonkar is the Jay Ganesh temple where the idol is of Gold. Malvan is worth a visit and sightseeing can be completed in two days.

By road
This is the best way to get in. Malvan is around 35 km towards west of a town Kasal which is on Mumbai-Goa National Highway NH-17. Distance from Mumbai is around 540 km while from Kolhapur it is mere 160 km.

State Transport buses ply from Mumbai, Kolhapur, Pune to Malvan.

By train
Nearest train station is Kudal which is a station on Konkan Railway and is around 30 km from Malvan.

By plane
Nearest airport is Dabolim in North Goa.

Get around
Best way to get around is either on foot or using auto rickshaw or hire cycle.

See
The impressive Sindhudurg or Ocean Fort, set on an offshore island, was built in 1664 by the great 17th-century warrior, Shivaji to the glory of the Maratha Empire, is just a stone's throw away. Ferry services start from morning 8 and last boat leaves 1700 hours in the evening. fare for them is ₹57 per person which include return cost as of 2009. Rock garden near to Sindhudurg Fort. It has on the rocks view of sunset.
 * Medha - Within Malvan city Kushewada and Gold Ganpati Mandir
 * Sindhudurga

Do
Situated 6 km south of Malvan and 546 km away from Mumbai on the coast of Maharashtra is Tarkarli. The major attraction here is the long and narrow stretch of beach, with its pristine water. On a clear day, you can see the sea bed through a depth of 20 ft.
 * Tarkarli

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation has one resort here.

MTDC quarters provide snorkelling facilities near Sindhudurga.

Buy

 * Malvani Masala
 * Mango Products
 * Kokam Products
 * Cashew
 * Prawns and other fish
 * Shevkandi Ladoo
 * Kulith Pithi

Eat
Malvan is famous for seafood. You can have good fresh seafood at Hotel Chaitnya near Malvan Bharad run by Mr. and Mrs. Walke. Worth testing Fried Fish. If you want to try some Malvani dish at your home try Mr. Vidyadhar Padawe's masala shop near Malvan Fish Market. You will get authentic home made Sunday masal, Garam Masala, Malvani Masala.

Sleep

 * Matruchaya Homestay ☏+91 9004350073 this property is built in a 4500 square feet area the entire Top floor which has 4 rooms is given on Rent to guests coming to visit Malvan.
 * Matruchaya Homestay ☏+91 9004350073 this property is built in a 4500 square feet area the entire Top floor which has 4 rooms is given on Rent to guests coming to visit Malvan.
 * Matruchaya Homestay ☏+91 9004350073 this property is built in a 4500 square feet area the entire Top floor which has 4 rooms is given on Rent to guests coming to visit Malvan.
 * Matruchaya Homestay ☏+91 9004350073 this property is built in a 4500 square feet area the entire Top floor which has 4 rooms is given on Rent to guests coming to visit Malvan.
 * Matruchaya Homestay ☏+91 9004350073 this property is built in a 4500 square feet area the entire Top floor which has 4 rooms is given on Rent to guests coming to visit Malvan.

title: Malvan


text:
Malvern

There is more than one place called Malvern:

United Kingdom

 * Malvern (England) - A town in Worcestershire.

United States of America

 * Malvern (Ohio) - A village in Carroll County, Ohio.
 * Malvern (Pennsylvania) - A city in Pennsylvania

title: Malvern


text:
Malvern (England)

Malvern is a spa town in Worcestershire. It has been famous for its bottled water since 1622. The town was the chosen location for the British government in case of evacuation from London during World War II.

Understand
On their first visit to Malvern, visitors can easily find themselves getting lost due to the number of places bearing the name 'Malvern'. This stems from the fact that the town of 'Malvern' used to consist of several separate settlements, and that it is still surrounded by a collection of villages on the slopes of the Malvern Hills. These villages are known as 'The Malverns' (as are the hills) and consist of:
 * Great Malvern is the main town, with the historic Priory Church, a few shopping streets and most of the civic amenities.
 * Malvern Link is a smaller settlement to the north, lying along the main road to Worcester, also featuring a nice common and old Victorian architecture.
 * Malvern Wells is a small village south of the town, famed for its spring water.
 * West Malvern is the only part of the town on the western face of the hills and overlooks Herefordshire.
 * North Malvern is a small village to the north of the town.
 * Little Malvern is a small village to the south featuring a lovely church.

History
The name Malvern probably comes from the ancient British language, with Mal-Bryn meaning 'Bare-Hill', the nearest modern equivalent being the Welsh moelfryn (bald hill). Iron Age tribes used the hills as a fortification, building a complex moat and trench network to guard their outposts, the remnants of which can still clearly be seen on British Camp. Little is known about the village until around 1075, when Benedictine monks began work on Malvern Priory. The village remained inconspicuous until the Victorian Age, when Malvern's famous waters, noted for centuries by locals by their purity, became of interest to experimenting doctors who began to advocate hydrotherapy in the waters as a cure for a wide variety of ailments. The resulting boom in medical tourism brought a great influx of wealth to the town, and the construction of a railway station in 1860 greatly increased the number of people visiting the area. Many of the prettiest and grandest buildings in the town date from this era, notably the former Great Western Railway Hotel, a grandiose building overlooking the railway station which now forms the main headquarters of the prestigious Malvern St James' College.

During the Second World War, Malvern was also important as it became the base for many government scientists working on radar (many of the huts and installations are still intact around the town) and the Defence Research Agency (DRA) continued to have a presence (and a large radar dish) in Malvern until 1995. The British government were also to be evacuated to nearby Madresfield Court in the event of the German capture of London.

In the 21st century, Malvern has established itself as a scientific centre, and the old Ministry of Defence sites were bought by Qinetiq in 2001, one of the world's largest scientific technology firms.

Visitor information

 * [https://www.visitthemalverns.org/things-to-do/towns/malvern/ Visitor information-

By car
Malvern is about 7 miles (11 km) south-west of Worcester on the A449 road. It is close to Junction 7 of the M5 motorway.

By train

 * Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain

Malvern is well served by trains from London, Birmingham, and south-west England. Trains are operated by First Great-Western and London Midland. The town prospered during the Victorian Railway boom with four stations running simultaneously up to the early 1960s. Of these, two, (a Grade II listed building and worth a visit in itself) and  remain open and very popular, serving the Cotswold line between Birmingham and Hereford.

Get around
Malvern is a great place to explore on foot, though the terrain is hilly, in particular in Great Malvern and West Malvern.

There are bus services in town, and country services provide a service on some roads.

It is also possible to travel between Link and Great Malvern by train.

Do
Malvern is at the northern end of the Malvern Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is a 9-mile-long (13.5 km) range of hills, rising up to 425m above sea level at the summit of Worcestershire Beacon. With around 100 miles of footpaths and bridleways criss-crossing the hills, this is a very popular area for walking and cycling.

 * Truckfest West Midlands celebrates heavy haulage and monster trucks, at Three Counties Showground in July - the next is 1-2 July 2023. Similar events are held at seven other locations across Britain.
 * Truckfest West Midlands celebrates heavy haulage and monster trucks, at Three Counties Showground in July - the next is 1-2 July 2023. Similar events are held at seven other locations across Britain.

Drink
Malvern features a number of excellent pubs serving a wide variety of local ales and ciders, many of which are prize-winning.

However, the most obvious local beverage is the Malvern Water, which although no longer bottled commercially, can still be obtained from numerous springs around the town for free. The water is noted for its purity and was the source of the famous 'Malvern Water Cure' which contributed so much to the towns growth in the Victorian era.

Go next
To the north, Worcester is an historic city on the beautiful River Severn, beyond which lies the industrial heartland of England around Birmingham and the Black Country.

To the east, the Vale of Evesham stretches past the northern end of the Cotswold Hills while to the south lies the West Country and the cathedral town of Gloucester.

To the west, arguably the prettiest direction to escape to, tourists will find the lovely little town of Ledbury and the impressive medieval county town of Hereford with its cathedral and situation on the River Wye. Further west lie the Marcher Castles built by the Anglo-Norman kings to guard the approaches to Wales.

To the south Upton-upon-Severn

title: Malvern (England)


text:
Malvern (Ohio)

Malvern is a village in Carroll County, Ohio.

By Car
SR43 runs through Malvern.

title: Malvern (Ohio)


text:
Malvern (Pennsylvania)

Malvern is a city in Chester County in southeastern Pennsylvania. This article also covers the villages of Berwyn and Paoli.

Understand
southeast of Philadelphia, Malvern is with a population of approximately 3,200.

Malvern was settled by colonists in the 19th century, and it is full of history, including the Civil war exploits of Pennsylvania's 52nd Regiment Infantry. This is reflected in the Victorian façades in the business district, the Victorian street lamps and the brick pavement.

However, it began as three tracts of land that were given as grants in 1631 to Quakers who responded to William Penn. Known as the West Chester Intersection, after an 1832 rail line to West Chester joined the Philadelphia Columbia Railroad under construction, this town developed slowly in the beginning. In the 1870s it was called Malvern. It incorporated in August 13, 1889, and at that time business in Malvern was very prosperous. For this reason there is a high concentration of buildings from the 1880-1910 period.

A tremendous amount of revitalization in both the residential and commercial districts has been funded by the Borough government and the County of Chester. This revitalization represents an opportunity to preserve Victorian style heritage often present in Pennsylvania small towns.

By train

 * Routes stopping at Paoli:
 * Keystone multiple trips per day between Harrisburg and New York City with stops in Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Coatesville, Downingtown, Exton, Paoli, Ardmore, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark. Some trips operate between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
 * Pennsylvanian operates daily between Pittsburgh and New York City with stops in Greensburg, Latrobe, Johnstown, Altoona, Huntingdon, Lewistown, Harrisburg, Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Exton, Paoli, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
 * Pennsylvanian operates daily between Pittsburgh and New York City with stops in Greensburg, Latrobe, Johnstown, Altoona, Huntingdon, Lewistown, Harrisburg, Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Exton, Paoli, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.

By plane

 * Celebity Jet Charter-, 2521 Yellow Springs Rd. Located in and operates from Malvern airport
 * Sky Limo Air Charter. Flies to and from Malvern Airport to many other airports around the country

Get around

 * Paoli Taxi Service -

See

 * The White Manor Country Club in Malvern was host to golf's McDonald's Classic from 1981-87.
 * Malvern Halloween and Memorial Day parades are famous throughout Pennsylvania. The Memorial Day Parade, typically held in the first weekend of June, is known as the oldest continuously held Memorial Parade in the US. Expect bands, floats, military color guards, antique vehicles, and fire trucks. The parade usually heads down King Street from the fire station to the Memorial Park.

Do

 * Paoli Battlefield - the site that Washington called the Paoli Massacre. It is considered one of the most pristine Revolutionary War battlefields in America — virtually untouched for over 225 years.  This battlefield is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an important historical site.  In the evening of September 20-21, 1777, the famous Paoli Massacre or Battle occurred. Eerily, this important historical site has been a cornfield for the last 225 years.
 * Burke Park is used mainly for festivals, concerts and general recreation; contains a beautiful Gazebo and landscaped area
 * Swiss Pines Japanese Garden, Charlestown Road, +1 610 935-3571. Japanese style ponds, manicured gardens, flowers & nature trails.

Buy

 * Antiques along King Street

Eat

 * Twenty9 Restaurant + Bar, 16 Great Valley Parkway, + 1 610 251-9229.
 * Restaurant Alba uses only locally grown produce to offers contemporary cuisine: seafood, poultry, steak and lamb.

Drink

 * McKenzie Brew House II, 240 Lancaster Avenue. Great local beer brewed to high standards.

Sleep

 * Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, One Liberty Boulevard.
 * Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, One Liberty Boulevard.

title: Malvern (Pennsylvania)


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Malwa

Malwa is in the Punjab state of India. It roughly covers the area between the Sutlej River in the north and the Ghaggar River, which flows along the Haryana border, in the south. It is the largest region in terms of area and has 12 districts in it, the largest of which are Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Bathinda.

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title: Malwa


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Mamaia

Mamaia is one of the most popular (and at times most crowded) summer resorts in Romania. It's situated on an 8-km long and 300-m wide sandy landstrip between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea, a few kilometres north-east of the important portal town Constanţa. Mamaia is a pure summer time destination, with only a handful of permanent residents staying here for winter. As early as May however, crowds of mostly Romanian beach lovers rush in, always searching for a good spot on the packed white sandy beaches during day and partying like there's no tomorrow in one of the countless clubs at night. High season runs roughly from the beginning of June to early September, but it's only late in autumn that the water will turn cold.

Get in
You'll probably be getting in via Constanţa, with several options for public transit if you don't have your own transportation. Buses 23E and 41 depart from Constanţa's main rail station, and 23 also stops near the northern bus station. Buses 41 and 47 run to and from the north end of the Mamaia strip. In high season, a small army of maxitaxis also run to and from Mamaia, but keep in mind that all public transport can get crowded during rush hours then. If possible, buy a ticket in advance at the train station or nearby shops.

If you're driving in by car yourself, count on a small access fee (less than €1).

Get around
The Telegondola (Cable Car) makes for both a fun and a useful way to get from the southern parts of Mamaia to the centre, while offering some excellent views. Buses run up and down the boulevard (tickets around €0.50) and cabs are fairly well available.

See
People don't really come here for sightseeing, but rather to have good times at the beach. Hop on the telegonda for some vistas over the area but otherwise; just kick back and start people-watching.

Do

 * Beaches Mamaia is also the only resort in Europe to have the pure white sand only found in tropical places such as Hawaii. The beach season is at its best between mid-May and late September, when average daytime temperatures are 25-30°C (78-86°F). The water is warm until late autumn.
 * Aqua Magic Water Park is a nice water park located at Statiunea Mamaia. A ticket costs 70 lei in July and August, or 40 in the other months.
 * Hop on a ferry to Ovidia island in the Siutghiol Lake, said to hold the tomb of Ovid.

Drink
You'll find plenty of hip and happening clubs to serve your need of drinks and dance in the evening.

Head south from the northern telegonda station to pick from several good options, including Megalos.

Sleep
Hotels range from mid-end (2 and 3 stars) to exclusive 4- and 5-star hotels and private clubs.

Go next

 * Constanţa - this ancient metropolis is today one of the largest harbours of Europe.
 * Mangalia - the shallow waters of this smaller sea side resort are popular among families with young children, and also offers mineral springs.
 * Danube Delta - is a fascinating natural area. Catch a minibus from Constanţa to Tulcea (2h), where you'll find an information centre with English speaking staff.

title: Mamaia