11 Things That Surprised Me About Malta: A First-Time Visitor’s Guide

One of the things I love most about traveling is discovering how different each country can be. Every place has its own traditions, food, language, customs, and little quirks—and honestly, those differences are part of what makes traveling so much fun.

Malta was no exception.

This was my first visit to Malta, and I came away with a few things that surprised me, along with some practical information that may be helpful if you're planning your first trip. Keep in mind that some of the information below is based on what I experienced during my visit, so it's always a good idea to check current information before your own trip.

1. The Crowds

Malta can get busy, especially when cruise ships are in port. During our visit, Valletta was busiest during the daytime, particularly along the main streets.

But one thing I noticed was that you didn't have to go far to get away from the crowds. In Mdina, the main square was busy, but once we wandered into the maze of smaller side streets, it was surprisingly quiet.

That is one of my favorite travel tips in general: when a place gets crowded, turn down a side street and see where it takes you.

2. The White Taxis

You will see white taxis throughout Malta.

Before our visit, I had heard plenty of stories about the taxis being expensive and the drivers not always being friendly. Since we only had part of one afternoon to explore and had a long list of places we wanted to see, we decided to give one a try.

We found a taxi driver and asked how much he would charge to take us around to the places on our list. He quoted us $50.

Was that the cheapest way to get around? Probably not.

But we had limited time, and he agreed to take us everywhere we wanted to go. We knew we were paying for convenience, but sometimes when you've spent a lot of money and time getting to a destination, you have to decide whether saving a little money is worth missing something you really want to see.

For us, it wasn't.

We paid the $50, climbed in, and spent the afternoon seeing as much of Malta as we could.

Sometimes the experience is worth more than the savings.

This was our taxi driver.

3. Driving in Malta

I did not drive while we were in Malta, so I don't have personal experience renting a car there.

If you are planning to drive, remember that Malta drives on the left side of the road. Before renting a car, I would recommend checking the most current information on driving requirements, insurance, parking, fuel, and road rules.

And if you're like me and prefer to let someone else do the driving when you're exploring a new country, Malta has other transportation options.

 

4. Rabbit Is a Traditional Maltese Dish

If you love little bunnies, you might want to skip this section!

One thing I quickly learned about Malta is that rabbit is a traditional part of Maltese cuisine. You will see rabbit dishes on local menus, and it is considered one of the country's traditional foods.

Malta's food reflects the many cultures and influences that have shaped the islands over the centuries. Along with rabbit, you'll find plenty of seafood and other meats on restaurant menus.

Our travels have taught us that food is one of the best ways to experience another culture—even when the menu includes something that might be very different from what we're used to eating at home.

5. Service Can Be Different From What Americans Expect

One of the biggest differences I noticed while traveling in Europe is that restaurant service can be much more relaxed than what we are accustomed to in the United States.

In America, we are used to the check arriving almost automatically when we're finished eating. In many European restaurants, you may need to ask for it.

And once you ask, don't necessarily expect the check to appear immediately.

Meals are often meant to be enjoyed at a slower pace. If you're in a hurry, keep that in mind when planning your day.

I've learned that when traveling, you have to adjust to the way things are done there rather than expecting everything to work the way it does at home.

6. Malta Has Some Amazing Churches

Malta has an incredible number of churches, and they are an important part of the country's history and culture.

The story of St. Paul is also closely connected to Malta. According to tradition, Paul was shipwrecked on Malta around AD 60, and his arrival became an important part of the island's Christian history.

But even if you're not particularly interested in church history, some of Malta's churches are worth seeing simply because of their architecture and interiors.
They are beautiful.

7. English Is Widely Spoken

One thing that made traveling in Malta especially easy for us was the language.

Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English. Italian is also widely understood and spoken by some people.

For American travelers who may be nervous about traveling somewhere where they don't speak the language, Malta is a relatively easy place to navigate.

Being able to communicate easily made our visit much less stressful.

8. Don't Assume the Power Plugs Are the Same Throughout Europe

This is one of those little travel details that is easy to overlook until you arrive and realize your charger doesn't fit.

Malta uses Type G electrical outlets, the same style commonly used in the United Kingdom. That means the plug you need in Malta may be different from what you use in other European countries.

For example, I have needed Type C and Type F plugs in other parts of Europe.
My advice: check the plug type before every international trip.

9. The Currency Is the Euro

Malta uses the euro (€) as its currency.

ATMs are available throughout the islands, but as with any international trip, I recommend checking with your bank before you leave and making sure you understand any foreign transaction or ATM fees associated with your cards.

10. Malta Can Be Surprisingly Affordable

When we visited Malta, we found it to be relatively affordable compared with some other European destinations.

We found a wonderful place to stay overlooking the harbor, and at the time we paid just $48 a night.

Prices have obviously changed since our visit, so I wouldn't use that number as a guide for what you'll pay today. But it is a good reminder that you don't always have to spend a fortune to find a great place to stay.  

View from our balcony.

11. The Beaches May Not Look Like What You Expect

When you think of an island in the Mediterranean, you might picture palm trees, lush vegetation, and wide stretches of soft white sand.

Malta isn't quite that picture.

The islands have a rocky landscape, and much of the coastline is made up of cliffs and rocky areas rather than the tropical-style beaches you might expect.
But don't let that fool you.

The water is beautiful, and Malta's coastline is one of the things that makes the islands so special.

Final Thoughts on Our First Visit to Malta

Malta was one of those places that reminded me why I love traveling.

It wasn't exactly what I expected—and that's a good thing.

From wandering the quiet streets of Mdina to discovering Malta's churches, trying to figure out transportation, learning about the local food, and simply taking in the scenery, our first visit gave me a much better understanding of this small Mediterranean country.

Traveling isn't about finding places that feel exactly like home. It's about experiencing places that don't.

And sometimes the things that surprise you are the things you remember the longest.