The internet will tell you everything about idyllic Maltese beaches, stunning architecture and sunny weather. While this is all true, it’s only part of the reality on this tiny Mediterranean island.
Malta is full of surprises, contradictions and paradoxes. Let me present you with a list of 10 things that surprised me the most about Malta.
1. The island is small, but it sometimes takes ages to get somewhere (especially by public transportation)
Malta is small. The country has 316 km2 (all the islands together, the main island has 246 km2).
Let’s compare it to some other places.
316 km2 is just 9 km2 more than the city of Riga (and nobody would describe the capital of Latvia as a giant metropolis). It’s 46 km less than Mjøsa, the biggest lake in Norway and 51 km less than the city of Sheffield. Malta is less than half the size of New York City (778.2 km2) and 2146 times smaller than the State of Texas.
That means you can walk from the very eastern to the western point of the island (35 km) within a day.
Great, you say! Let’s get a car and drive all around. You might imagine a drive across the whole island will take you less than half an hour. Unfortunately, Malta has way too many cars. As of 2021, there were over 400 000 cars registered in the country, which means 8 cars per 10 people.
Combined with chaotic and impatient driving, it causes a lot of traffic jams. Brace yourself for a long wait while heading to the beach on a Saturday morning.
It’s even worse when you travel by bus. To save yourself from stress and frustration, stop expecting your bus to come on time. Theoretically, there is a fantastic tool to check what time your bus will really arrive – The Talinja App. Unfortunately, it happened to me many times that buses announced to arrive within 5 minutes didn’t show up at all. It’s always better to assume that getting somewhere by bus (especially during rush hours) will take twice as long as you expected.
2. Maltese buses are very affordable!
Let’s give Malta justice. The buses might not be the fastest and most punctual, but at least the public transportation is super cheap! A 2-hour ticket costs 1,5 euros in winter, and 2 euros in summer and the 7-Day Explore Card costs only 21 euros.
Even better if you are a resident and have the Talinja Card. In this case, you can travel by bus for free as much as you like!
3. Malta doesn’t think too much about pedestrians (and cyclists)
Remember how I mentioned walking across the whole island? Yeah, in theory, it’s possible. But Malta isn’t friendly for pedestrians (or cyclists). The roads are designed with only one thing in focus – the cars.
The sidewalks are narrow and bumpy. Trash bags often lay around, especially in the morning. I cannot imagine how a person with disabilities deals with moving around this obstacle course on Malta sidewalks.
The compact size of Malta would make it a perfect destination for exploring it by bicycle. Unfortunately, that’s a risky and stressful activity. The roads are narrow, the drivers reckless and the traffic is sometimes way too heavy.
There are some cycling lanes, especially in the south of the islands, and cycling is kinda fun there. Biking in Gozo is much better too. And if you want to take a break from the traffic noise, head to Comino – this tiny island is completely car-free!
4. Maltese people love fireworks
You can expect fireworks in the middle of the week before it even gets dark. Pyrotechnics in Malta has a long tradition going back to the times of the Order of the Knights of St John, and the island has 35 fireworks factories. During the summer you will hear the firework noise almost every day. That’s because the villages celebrate their holy patrons.
If you want to see the best Maltese fireworks, plan your stay in April and visit the annual Malta Firework Festival.
5. Malta is a conservative catholic country with a total abortion ban, and at the same time, it is the most LGBT-friendly country in the EU
When I arrived in Malta, I was struck by the number of churches and religious symbols on the houses. They even have special shops where you can buy a statue of any saint of your liking. Although I come from Catholic Poland, Maltese religiosity felt like a whole different level.
Considering that, the Maltese stand on abortion is not a surprise. It is the only country in the EU and one of very few countries in the world where abortion is completely banned, regardless of circumstances. Another sign of Maltese conservatism is that divorce was illegal until 2011.
Surprising, considering the strong position of the catholic church on the island, is the Maltese politics when it comes to LGBT rights. Homosexuals in Malta can get married and adopt children. Malta was also the first EU country to ban conversion therapy. This tiny island nation has also been an indisputable number one on the Rainbow Europe Map for many years. On the scale that evaluates the situation of the LGBT community in Europe, Malta scores 92 %, while the second-best Danmark has only 74 %.
7. Malta feels hotter than the temperature ratings would suggest
-28 degrees, that’s not too hot – I’ve said a million times and two minutes later found myself sweating right after leaving the air-conditioned apartment.
Few trees, extreme humidity and bright limestone reflecting the sun make the Maltese heat hotter than, for example, in neighbouring Sicily.
So don’t forget to bring your sunglasses, sunscreen and a good hat if you plan to visit Malta.
8. The tap water is safe to drink, but it tastes like swimming pool water
The tap water in Malta is desalinated seawater. In the process, they add a lot of chlorine to disinfect the water. I am normally not picky and drink tap water whenever I know it’s safe to drink. But in Malta, I don’t see any other option than buying bottled water from the shop. It is a hassle, especially in the heat, and I hate producing so much plastic waste, but I find the strong chlorine taste so disgusting I cannot handle it.
9. Maltese people are probably the most competitive nation in the world
In many countries, there are festivals where every village celebrates their saint patron, but the Maltese take it to the next level. The regional festas are loud, colourful and full of splendour. Each town tries to outdo the neighbouring villages. The rivalry is sometimes so fierce that the festivals must be cancelled because of the looming violence.
10. Malta is the first EU country that legalised recreational use of cannabis
Contrary to the Netherlands, the Maltese law not only decriminalises and tolerates the personal use of marihuana but makes it completely legal.
Since December 2021, in Malta, you can carry 7 grams of cannabis (and store up to 50 grams). It’s also legal to grow your own plants at home (but no more than 4 plants per household, and they shouldn’t be visible). Smoking in public is also not allowed.
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