Malta is the main language. Maltese traditional cuisine. What are the ways to get to the place

They began to colonize Malta even before our era; It is believed that the Phoenicians were the first to succeed in this, because the very name "Malta" from the ancient version of this language is translated as "shelter", "secluded place". Other discoverers of the island were Greek sailors, but the name was strengthened precisely by the Phoenician. It so happened that over time, the languages ​​​​of the mentioned conquerors were completely ousted from Malta. The fact is that the island passed from hand to hand: it was either the Arabs, then the Byzantine Empire, then the Norman, then Spain - the conquerors changed each other, but the indigenous language was preserved.

The succession of changes of conquerors continued until, in the 16th century, the emperor of the Roman Empire, Charles V, gave the island to a knightly order, so called - the Order of Malta. This gave fertile ground for the development of the Italian language, which has been preserved in this territory to this day. But 250 years later, Napoleon I captured Malta, although his main goal was, of course, Egypt. Of course, the order lost its former power and lost its former power over the island. Since that time, it can be said that 2 imported languages ​​​​began to exist here: Italian and French. The fact is that for more than 200 years of the existence of the order, several generations were born who understand the Italian language quite well. Of course, there is no need to talk about literacy and an impeccable culture of writing.

But also French failed to become the main in this wonderful place. At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, the British took Valletta (the capital), since then France has finally lost control over the island. Soon Malta became an integral part of Great Britain, a modern naval base was deployed. Only 50 years ago Malta became an independent state, and now there are no English military units there, but the English language has remained and has become the final and one of the largest components of the Maltese language field.

Distribution of languages ​​in Malta

In fact, one can imagine such a percentage panorama of people on the island who speak the language: Maltese 99%, English 88%, Italian 64%, French 15% . It can be concluded that the Maltese as a whole are fluent in foreign languages, but still 7% of the population knows only their own native language. As a rule, these people do not work in trade or in the service sector, and you will not have to deal with them. You need to know that in Malta there is not one official language, but two: Maltese, English. In addition, Maltese is the official language European Union. It is very difficult to understand this language, it is not similar to any European. It may sound like it is Arabic- and in fact they are very similar, but nevertheless, even the Arabs do not understand Maltese, since the language has a number of its own distinctive features that put it in a separate niche.

The main part of the population of the island, it must be admitted, is not very positive about English-speaking tourists, since the British are associated with people with invaders. A large percentage of the population prefers the Italian language, and besides this, they are increasingly in favor of reunification with Italy. The reason for this is not only geographical proximity, but also the historical mutual love of Italians and Imalts. There is nothing wrong if you come to Malta and speak only English - you will be answered with hospitality and smiles, as trade etiquette and service are very highly developed in this country. Moreover, it will immediately be clear from the accent that you are not an Englishman or an American. Guests are always welcome here.

Geography of Malta

The archipelago of Malta is located in the central Mediterranean, 80 kilometers south of Sicily. Only three islands of the Maltese archipelago are inhabited: Malta, Gozo and Comino. The islands lie on the Maltese plateau and are the shallows of the isthmus connecting Sicily and North Africa.

Along the coast of the Maltese islands are bays and lagoons. The relief of the territories is mostly hilly. The most high point country, Ta-Dmeyrek, 253 m high, is located next to the cliffs of Dingli. With the exception of rivers that appear during the rainy season, there are no water resources, except for springs with fresh water in Barria, San Martin and Gozo.

State structure of Malta

The political system of the Republic of Malta with its parliament and municipal bodies is very similar to Westminster. The unicameral Parliament of Representatives is elected by universal suffrage for 5 years, but the President of the Republic can dissolve it before the expiration of his term.

Weather in Malta

The climate of Malta is characterized by mild winters and hot summers. It rains here mostly in winter.

The average temperature of August - the warmest month of the year - is + 30 C°. January temperature varies from + 12 to + 20 С°.

The summer period on the islands lasts from mid-April to November. Malta is called in Europe one of the countries where everything is bathed in greenery all year round.

The average annual water temperature is + 20 С°.

Language of Malta

Maltese, along with English, is the official language of the Republic. It is spoken by 100% of the country's population. 88% of the population speaks English, 66% Italian and 17% French.

Religion in Malta

The state religion of Malta is Roman Catholicism, but the country's constitution does not restrict its citizens in religion.

Currency of Malta

Most favorable exchange rate banks offer currency exchange. The country accepts most international bank cards for payment.

Customs restrictions

Allowed duty-free import:

• tobacco products (200 cigarettes / 100 cigarillos / 50 cigars)
• alcohol (1 liter of alcoholic beverages / 1 liter of wine).

Imported amounts of money are subject to mandatory declaration.

The import of pets is prohibited.

Tips

In Malta, it is customary to leave up to 15% of the bill as a tip if it is not already included in the bill. When paying for taxi services, you can round up the invoice amount.

Souvenirs

Malta is famous for its glassware. Travelers can purchase animal figurines, crockery, and jewelry. The most popular souvenir among tourists is the Maltese cross, made of gold or silver (worth 7 euros). Many people bring door handles, dolphin figurines, old Maltese buses, liquors, wines, honey as gifts from Malta. Clay bags are considered the most unusual souvenir (they are made of clay, but look like a crumpled paper bag).

Office Hours

Banking hours: from Monday to Thursday - from 8.30 to 12 o'clock; on Friday and Saturday - from 8.30 to 11.30.

Shops are open from 9 am to 1 pm and from 4 to 7 pm. Most shops are closed on Sundays and holidays, but tourist areas Some shops are open until 22:00 on weekdays and until 12:00 on Sundays.

Safety

When relaxing in Malta, you should follow the usual safety rules that are typical for tourist areas: do not leave things unattended, close car doors, leave money, jewelry in the hotel safe.

Mains voltage:

Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English, Italian is widely spoken.

The national Maltese language is the only one European language Afro-Asian origin. This dialect has become widespread in Malta, Sicily and in Southern Italy after the conquest of the region by the Arabs in the 9th century. The first mention of the Maltese language dates back to the 14th century, when a group of Benedictine monks who were going to build a church on the island could not find mutual language with the islanders. The first written source in Maltese, the Kaksara poem, dates back to the 15th century. In the 17th century, a French knight compiled the first dictionary of Maltese words, which also had a grammar section.

The Maltese language uses the Roman alphabet with some additional letters. Approximately half of the words in Maltese are borrowed from Italian and Sicilian, and approximately 20% from English. There are approximately 370,000 Maltese speakers in the world, of which 300,000 live in Malta. Despite the small size of the island, there are many dialects and pronunciations in the Maltese language, however, these differences tend to be smoothed out as a result of the influence of the modern global media environment. Knowledge of Maltese is not necessary on an island where everyone speaks English, but this kind of knowledge will be counted as a plus and will ensure the sympathy of the local population.

English is the second official language in Malta. It has infiltrated the island since 1800, when the British drove out the French and took control of the island. Due to its advantageous strategic position, Malta almost became part of the United Kingdom, however, became a dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations, and then independent republic. English plays a very important role on the island. It is used in everyday life, it is the main language of business, it is taught in a number of secondary schools and the University of Malta.

The appearance of the Italian language in Malta dates back to the 12th century, when the island was conquered by Europeans from the Arabs and became part of the Kingdom of Sicily. Malta was later handed over to the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St. John and Italian became the official language of Malta. However, the language brought by the knights remained the language of the aristocracy and the elite, so that by the beginning of the 20th century no more than 15% of the population could speak Italian. Since 1934, the Italian language has not been state language Malta, though continues to play a prominent role in society. Italy is one of Malta's main trading partners, so most of the goods, equipment and services on the island are Italian. Today, about 60% of the population speaks Italian, and knowledge of it provides advantages when doing business with Italian partners.

Republic of Malta- a state located on the islands of the Maltese archipelago, which includes the island of Malta, Filfla, St. Paul's and other small islands. The place where Malta is located has long been an intersection trade routes to Europe, Asia and Africa, it has always attracted settlers, so historians cannot even determine exactly how many millennia ago people first appeared here: some date back to the 4th millennium BC!

Currency of Malta- euro, since it is a member of the EU (Malta joined it on May 1, 2004).

Official language. in Malta official languages two: Maltese (it belongs to the Semitic family of languages ​​and is close to Arabic) and English. The Maltese language is used not only in the state - it is, for example, spoken by immigrants from the archipelago living in Australia. Maltese is national language country - this means that legal proceedings are conducted precisely on it. In addition, it is one of the official languages ​​of the European Union - all official EU documents in without fail transferred to him. Another widely spoken language on these islands is Italian.

Population of Malta consists of Maltese (more than 95%), British (a little more than 2%); all other national groups combined account for just over 2%. The population density is very high - the country occupies the 4th place in the world according to this indicator. The majority of Maltese citizens live on the island of Malta - about 87%; the rest live on the island of Gozo - only a few families live on Comino, several islands are deserted. Most of the population lives in cities - about 94%. Malta is a Catholic country: this religion is practiced by about 97% of the population. Another 1.2% are Anglicans, the rest belong mainly to other Christian denominations.

You should definitely see the local temples - they all feature beautiful architectural solutions and a rich and harmonious interior. There are a lot of churches here, almost every, even a small, village has its own temple, and, in fact, each of them deserves attention - if you are a fan of architecture.

It is worth visiting The Limestone Heritage - a former quarry, now a museum of the history of limestone mining in Malta. By the way, gardens are planted in processed quarries in Malta. We also recommend going on an excursion to the workshops for the manufacture of Maltese glass.

Another famous attraction is, installed under water at a depth of 38 meters, two kilometers from the coast. The sculpture was made and installed in 1990; at first it was located near St. Pauls, later it was moved due to problems with water quality. The weight of the statue is 13 tons, next to it is the flooded Malta Gozo ferry and the first scientific vessel of Jacques-Yves Cousteau that sank nearby.

Resting in the resorts of Bugibba, Qawra and St. Paul's Bay, you can visit the unique Simar bird sanctuary in Shemshia or walk the "Trail of History" to get acquainted with not too famous, but very interesting sights, such as Punic burials or an old apiary.

Cuisine of Malta

Malta Transport

The public one is quite well developed: regular buses provide communication between the cities and towns of the islands of Malta and Gozo, as for Comino, you can get around it on foot in about 5 hours.

Previously, both tram and rail services existed in Malta, but gradually buses replaced other modes of transport (with the exception of the ferry between Valletta and Sliema).

Until mid 2011 bus service carried out private flights, attracting tourists with a peculiar design. Today they are all united in a new transport system. All buses are very comfortable, each is equipped with air conditioning, the system of routes and stops is optimized. Information screens are updated in real time.

Buses on the island of Gozo also have a convenient schedule - they come once an hour, except for route 301 Victoria-Mgarr - it has an interval of half an hour due to the fact that a ferry from Malta arrives at the port of Mgarr at this interval.

Comino Island can be reached from Malta from the town of Marfa by ferry (in summer they depart hourly from 9-00 to 17-00, in April, May, September and October they run from 10-00 to 16-00, it is better to check the departure time with captain). From the island of Gozo to Comino you will have to take a boat.

Basic moments

Malta is very popular with tourists. Travelers are attracted by the clean Maltese beaches, picturesque nature, colorful festivals and many architectural monuments. The archipelago has a long history, and on it you can see buildings from different eras: the ruins megalithic temples, medieval fortresses, ancient palaces, cathedrals and squares. The most visited sights are concentrated in the capital of the country - the city of Valletta.

Many foreigners come to the island to study in schools in English. In Malta it costs 30-40% less than in others European countries. Language classes on the island are open to preschoolers, schoolchildren, students and pensioners, so anyone who wants to improve their English gets all the opportunities for this.

Someone is in a hurry to Malta for the sake of playing in the casino, others are interested in exciting scuba diving. Lovers of natural attractions love to visit natural caves and natural parks. Known far beyond the country marine park Mediterraneo, where you can see exotic reptiles, birds and amphibians, as well as visit spectacular shows with dolphins and sea lions.

A special category of tourists come to Malta for thalassotherapy. The mild sunny climate, the warm sea and the air saturated with iodine salts can cure many diseases and relieve stress perfectly. There are many well-equipped clinics on the islands, where they use hydromassage, healing body wraps, rejuvenating masks, peelings, lymphatic drainage and other modern wellness treatments.

History of Malta

The island archipelago lies at the crossroads of ancient trade routes that connected Europe, Asia and Africa. In the 8th century BC, the Phoenicians and Greeks settled the Mediterranean islands. In the ancient period and in the Early Middle Ages, Malta passed many times from one state to another and belonged to Carthage, Ancient Rome, Byzantine Empire, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards.

In 1530, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles V, granted the main island to the Knights of St. John, who from that time became known as the Order of Malta. At the end of the 18th century, Napoleon's troops, heading for Egypt, invaded Malta, and the power of the Catholic order ceased.

In the autumn of 1800, the situation changed, in the capital island nation the British landed. They raised the British flag over Valletta, Malta became a British colony and until 1979 served as a British naval base.

In 1964, the island archipelago gained independence, and 10 years later a republic was formed here. Since 2004, the island nation has become a full member of the European Union.

Climate

Malta is in the zone mediterranean climate, and its weather is in many ways reminiscent of Sicilian. From June to September the air temperature is +28...+34 °C. In winter, the thermometer on average stays at +14 ... +16 ° С. During the year, 530-570 mm of precipitation falls on the islands, most of which occur during the winter months.

Almost all the time, warm sea breezes and the northwest wind "Mistral" blow over Malta. At the end of summer, the Mediterranean island feels the influence of the strong south and southwest wind "sirocco" that comes to Malta from the North African and Arabian deserts. During the sirocco, the air temperature rises to +35 ° C and above, and dusty, dry weather sets in on the islands.

The beaches of Malta

It is believed that beach season in Malta starts in May. However, at the end of spring, the temperature of sea water is +19 °C, and for most vacationers the sea seems to be still cool. Mass swims begin in June and last until September and even October, when the velvet season, beloved by all tourists, reigns on the islands.

There are no many kilometers of beach areas here, but Malta is rich in cozy small beaches. Most of them are surrounded by picturesque bays. Almost all Maltese beaches are free. Those who come to Malta are advised to swim in areas patrolled by lifeguards, because with sea ​​waves and it is dangerous to joke with local currents. In order not to injure your legs, it is better to go into the sea in bathing slippers.

Sandy beaches are the most popular among tourists. On the Maltese Islands, you can find beaches with white, pink, golden and red sand. These are places that are almost always crowded. Relaxing on the sandy beaches is convenient. The entrance to the water is gentle. Such beaches have all the necessary infrastructure - sun loungers and parasols, toilets, showers, changing places, as well as sports equipment rental. Many of the Maltese beaches are marked blue flag. And this means that they are distinguished not only by the purity of sea water, but also by a careful attitude to the natural environment.

Most of the pebbly and rocky beaches in Malta are “wild”, and there are not many tourists on them. Lovers of secluded relaxation prefer to enjoy the silence, leaving for small islands Maltese archipelago. These are rock formations in the middle of the sea, where you can spend time all alone. You need to know that there are no official nudist beaches in this country, in addition, topless sunbathing is prohibited in all bathing areas.

One of the best sandy beaches considered to be Golden Bay, which is located on northwest coast islands of Malta. Golden sand and crystal clear sea attract many travelers here. On Golden Bay you can sunbathe, swim, play sports, and have picnics in the evening. In the neighborhood, next to the small village of Manikata, there is another popular beach- Ain-Tuffiha. The sand on it is reddish, and to get to the shore, you need to climb a ladder of 100 steps.

The longest Maltese beach, Adira Bay, has a length of 800 m. It is located in the north of the main island, in the resort area of ​​Mellieha. This sandy beach is ideal for families. Entry into the water throughout is very gentle, and the shallow water is very warm. In the high season, Adira Bay has a lot water activities– windsurfing, water skiing, banana rides and kayaking.

Armier Beach is famous for its noisy youth party, and Jnaina Bay, on the contrary, for its silence and a small number of vacationers. Windsurfers go to the beach of St. Thomas Bay, in the south of Malta, and the steep banks of St. Peter's Pool and Ghar Lapsi are in demand among fans of jumping into the sea from a height.

Several artificial sandy beaches have been created on the main island: Pretty Bay in the port city of Birzebbuja, Paradise Bay in the northwest of the island, St. George Bay in the east of Malta, and Bugibba, which is located near the city promenade of the resort of the same name.

On the island of Gozo, Vid il-Isri is popular - a small beach that is 6 km north of Victoria. In the north of the island lies the beach of Ramla Bay. The wide coastal strip is surrounded by hills, where beautiful gardens grow, and is famous for its golden-red sand. In the vicinity of Ala, it is worth visiting the Hondok-i-Rumin beach. It is believed that in this part of the Gozo coast, the water warms up more slowly, and therefore the sea here is cooler.

Valletta

The capital of Malta is named after the head of the Knights of St. John, Jean Parisot de la Valletta. The city, in which a little more than 5.7 thousand people live today, is located in the northeast of the main island. It has so many architectural monuments and attractions that it is one of the World Cultural Heritage cities.

The central street of Valletta divides the city in half and ends near the medieval Fort St. Elmo, which once served main fortress Malta. Nowadays, the collections of the National Military Museum are located in the ancient fort, and costumed knightly holidays are held.

Most travelers visit the Palace of the Grand Master, which used to be the residence of the Order of Malta, and today is used by the Parliament and the President of the country. During a tour of the building, tourists are shown several halls and a large armory.

Another popular tourist attraction in Valletta is the medieval city gate of Putirial. The routes of all excursions around the Maltese capital also involve acquaintance with the three most famous temples – cathedral St. John, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Church of the Shipwreck of St. Paul, where several Christian shrines are kept.

Sights of Malta

All sights of Malta

There are many diving centers and schools in Malta where you can make one-time dives, get training of any level of complexity and rent necessary equipment and equipment. Diving enthusiasts appreciate the Mediterranean archipelago for its warm sea, thanks to which they dive all year round. In summer sea ​​water warms up to +23 ... +25 °С, and in winter its temperature does not fall below +14 °С. Coastal waters are very transparent - visibility at a depth reaches 30-50 m.

During diving in Malta you can see a variety of inhabitants mediterranean sea and admire the beautiful underwater landscapes - picturesque grottoes, long tunnels, caves and intricate arches. At depth, meetings with moray eels, groupers, mullet, parrot fish, flounder, stingrays, octopuses, crabs, squids and seahorses are frequent.

Sunken ships have found shelter in coastal waters, the most famous of which are the English submarine X7 and the French liner Carnac. The complex of underwater caves Blue Grotto, which is located in the south of the main island, near the settlement of Krendi, is especially popular with divers all over the world.

Restaurants and cuisine

Malta lies at the crossroads of trade routes, and the cuisine of this island nation has connected culinary traditions Italians, Moors, Greeks and Spaniards. Local chefs prefer seasonal vegetables and fruits, fresh fish, seafood, cereals, delicate goat cheese and olive oil.

The Maltese used to cook on stone hearths, so baked and stewed dishes predominate in modern cuisine. Tourists who come to Malta are advised to try the fragrant soup "allotta", which is cooked from different varieties of fish with the addition of fragrant spices, as well as a dish of dorado "lampuka".

Meat lovers will surely enjoy Malti tender spaghetti or Maltese rabbit stewed in ripe tomato sauce and red wine. Vegetarians will appreciate soft goat cheese salad, pickled brigilla vegetables, Maltese vegetable salad sandwiches and caponata vegetable stew.

There are many delicious desserts in Malta, so those with a sweet tooth will have a lot of fun here. The Maltese do not prepare desserts with chocolate, but often use ricotta cheese and candied fruits for them. locals make delicious pastizzi pies filled with fresh fruits, nuts and honey. The islanders are very fond of “cannoli” rolls with ricotta and candied fruit, “imkaret” pastries with mashed dates and halva made from sweet ground almonds. All tourists like Maltese ice cream. It is made with the addition a large number condensed milk.

The inhabitants of the islands appreciate liqueurs - strong alcoholic drinks that can be added to coffee during the cold season. In Malta, several types of them are produced and used for this local fruits. The most popular among the Maltese and tourists is Limuncell lemon liqueur. Honey-made Ghasel, pomegranate Rummiena, tangerine Mangolin and orange Laring have pleasant tastes.

Where to stay

There are many hotels in Malta and tourist complexes. As in the rest of the world, five-star hotels provide the best level of service, but you can also choose quite worthy options among budget hotels. Some hotels have private beaches. The all-inclusive system is rare here. Often hotels offer two meals a day, that is, guests can count on continental breakfasts and a la carte dinners.

IN low season, which lasts from November to March, housing prices are declining. However, most budget hotels closes during this time for renovations to prepare rooms for the summer, so during the winter months in Malta, the choice of affordable accommodation options can be limited.

It should be noted that there is no centralized heating in the archipelago. IN winter time air conditioners, electric and gas heaters are used for heating in hotels. Those who want to come to Malta in the cold season should find out in advance how the heating works in the hotel and whether you need to pay extra for this service.

Transport

Driving in Malta is on the left. main island small in size, so trips on it rarely exceed one hour. The average duration of a transfer from the hotel to the attraction is usually 20-30 minutes. railway there is no. From land transport they travel around the islands on comfortable buses, minibuses and sedans. For 20 euros, travelers are transported around the main island on double-decker buses.

Shuttle Buses owned by the local carrier Malta Public Transport. Most of the routes are laid through the capital of Malta, so often you have to travel an extra distance to get to the right place. If the bus has numbers from 1 to 99, then it goes through Valletta. Buses running with numbers from 200 to 300 do not call in the island capital. Cars with the letter “N” added to the numbers go at night, and buses with numbers from 300 run around the island of Gozo.

All Maltese buses are air-conditioned, have soft seats and electronic displays. Tickets are sold by drivers. The fare on night buses is twice the price of a day trip. To save some money, you should use travel tickets.

Taxis can be taken on the street, in car parks. Taxi cars are also ordered by phone, on the Internet and at Taxi Booth kiosks. Getting in a taxi costs 3.5 euros. The first 8 km of the trip are paid at a rate of 1.4 euros for each kilometer, and the next - 1 euro. To come by taxi from the airport to the capital of Malta, you need to pay 17 euros.

Certain advantages are given to those who want to move around the island on a rented car or scooter. About 80% of Maltese roads have a good asphalt surface. The trails here are free, traffic jams are rare, and the distances from city to city are short. True, having arrived in Valletta, it is better to change personal transport to public transport. The reason is that for entry into historical Center cities have to pay, and most of the streets in the capital are pedestrian.

Along the coast, tourists move to cruise ships, yachts and motor boats. Some travelers use seaplanes and helicopters, but this pleasure is not cheap.

Souvenirs

Shopping centers and supermarkets can only be found in the capital of Malta or in major cities. In other places, purchases are made in small kiosks and shops. Most shops are open from 9.00 to 19.00 and have a break for a daytime siesta from 13.00 to 16.00 - because in the heat it is customary to relax, not work! IN resort areas retail outlets may not close until 22.00, but on Sundays everywhere they declare a day off.

As a memento of visiting the Mediterranean archipelago, tourists bring linen lace made by local craftsmen. Its quality is so high that the British Queen Victoria herself loved to wear dresses trimmed with elegant Maltese lace. Also popular as souvenirs are small mock-ups of yellow retro buses and “luzzu” boats, gozo down products from the island of Gozo and decorations with images of the Maltese cross.

From edible souvenirs from Malta, sea salt, fragrant honey, delicious jbeinit cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, liqueurs, capers, ceratonia pod syrup and olive oil are brought. Wines made at the local wineries Marsovin and Delicata are very popular. Maltese wines are sold in large shopping malls, grocery and souvenir shops. You can also buy Cick light beer and dark Lacto and Blue Label (Ale) beers there. If you want to buy lighter drinks, you should pay attention to Shandy and Kinnie beer mixed with lemonade - a soft drink that has a delicate taste of Maltese herbs and bitter oranges.

Information for tourists

• To stay on the island, Russians and residents of the CIS countries need to obtain a Schengen visa.
• Without a declaration, it is allowed to import up to 10 thousand euros into Malta.
• Currency is changed at the airport, as well as in banks and exchange offices all over the island. They are easy to find near large hotels, shopping centers and tourist areas. Cash departments of banks are open on weekdays from 8.30 to 12.30, and on Saturdays they close at 12.00.
• payment credit cards accepted only in some restaurants, large hotels and shopping centers. On public transport are paid in cash.
• The locals speak Maltese, but tourists have no problem as most Maltese are fluent in English.
• It is customary to leave a tip in restaurants and cafes. They make up 5-10% of the order amount and are included in the bill in a number of places. Tips are also given to porters and maids in hotels. If you wish, you can leave a reward of up to 10% to the taxi driver.
• Thanks to the Tax free system, tourists can return up to 15% of the cost of goods purchased in Malta. To get a refund, you need to keep receipts and not use the goods until the end of the trip. Tax free is issued at the airport if the total cost of purchases exceeds 315 euros. It should be borne in mind that the money is not issued immediately, but sent to the specified address.

Safety

Malta is civilized and safe country. It has a low crime rate, and tourists can walk the streets quite calmly. As in the rest of the world, you should only beware of pickpocketing. To avoid trouble, it is recommended to store large sums of money, documents and valuables in safes. There are cases of car theft on the island, so you need to park cars and scooters in crowded places.

There is a lot of sun in Malta all year round, so vacationers are advised to use good creams and gels with a protection level of 30 SPF. We must also not forget that any sunscreen works well only in the first two hours after application. When this period has passed, the degree of protection drops sharply.

There are poisonous scorpions in Malta. in cities and tourist centers there are none, but in the countryside, in the crevices between the stones, the probability of meeting a scorpion increases. If the bite could not be avoided, it is better to immediately contact for medical care, since scorpion venom can cause a severe allergic reaction.

While swimming, you need to beware of poisonous jellyfish. It is not difficult to notice them, as dangerous jellyfish keep in flocks in surface layer water and are active until noon. In case of burns, wash the affected area sea ​​water and lubricate the skin with sunscreen.

From other Russian cities, they get to the island state with a transfer. From Vienna, you can fly to Malta in 2 hours and 10 minutes, and from Istanbul in 2 hours and 30 minutes. In addition to these two cities, transfers are made in Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, Berlin, Marseille, Stockholm, London and some other European cities. Maltese Airlines connects the islands with Italy.

The international airport is located 5 km southwest of the capital. You can get from it to Valletta by express buses marked with the letter "X" or by taxi.

Some travelers prefer to sail to the islands by sea. As a rule, this option is more suitable for those who plan to spend 1-2 days in Malta. Regular ferries run to Malta from Salerno, Calabria, Genoa, Civitavecchia and Tunisia, as well as from the Sicilian ports of Pozzallo, Syracuse and Catania. Ferries depart several times a day and travel time is 2-4.5 hours. If you buy return tickets on the same day, you can get a discount of up to 50%. Comfortable ferries have three decks. The lower one is for vehicles. The upper one accommodates class I passengers, and the middle one is occupied by economy class passengers. On sea ​​vessel there are small shops, bars and even a casino.