TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(MTL)
Maltese lira |
| Electrical |
240 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 356 |
Climate
Malta’s
climate is strongly influenced by the sea and is typical of the
Mediterranean. The Islands have a very sunny climate with a daily
average of five to six hours sunshine in mid-winter to more than
12 hours in summer.
Winters are mild, with the
occasional short chilly period brought about by the north and
north-easterly winds from central Europe.
Summers are hot, dry and very
sunny. Day-time temperatures in summer are often mitigated by
cooling sea breezes, but in spring and autumn a very hot wind
from Africa occasionally brings unseasonally high temperatures
and humidity. This is known as the Sirocco, or, in Maltese, the
Xlokk – this wind affects Greece and Italy as well; in Malta
the air is generally drier because of the short sea track from
the African coast.
Annual
rainfall is low, averaging 578mm a year, and the length of the
dry season in summer is longer than in neighbouring Italy. Sea
bathing is quite possible well in to the ‘winter’
months, and the peak beach season can last until mid- to late
October.
Currency
The Maltese Pound (Lm) or Lira is divided into 100 cents.
Any amount of foreign currency may be brought into Malta as long
as it is declared on arrival. The maximum amount of Maltese currency
that may be brought into the country is of Lm 1000 per person.
On departure, visitors can take out again all their foreign currency,
but not more than Lm1000 in Maltese currency.
Banks
& Currency Exchange: Banks
are normally open between 08.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. from Monday
to Friday, and up to 11.30 a.m. on Saturday. Some banks work longer
hours. Summer and winter opening hours may differ.
Exchange Bureaux at Malta
International Airport are open 24 hours a day. International bankcards
are accepted and foreign currency is easily exchanged. Banks,
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and exchange bureaux can be found
all over the Islands.
Many
hotels and larger shops and restaurants can exchange currency.
The exchange slip is required to change local currency back to
foreign denominations on departure. Exchange rates offered by
hotels, restaurants and shops are generally inferior to those
available at banks.
Credit
Cards: Most hotels and restaurants, as well as many shops,
accept Access, American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club International,
Mastercard and Visa.
Electricity
The
electrical supply is 240 volts, 50 hertz. The three-pin rectangular
plug system is used, as in Britain.
Adapters are very easy to find.
Tipping
Gratuities
are usually in the region of 10 – 15%, as in most European
countries. As a rule of thumb: taxi drivers – not expected,
but up to 10%; porters – 10c to 15c per piece of luggage;
restaurants, unless a service charge is added to the bill, 10%.
Here
is some more useful Tourist
Information about Malta.
