A little more
Malta.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Malta: what to know before you go

Malta is a small archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, made up of Malta, Gozo and tiny Comino. Honey-coloured fortified towns, prehistoric temples older than the pyramids and clear blue water pack a lot of history and swimming into a short trip. It suits culture lovers, divers and anyone after sunshine with a lot to see.

Where to go

• Valletta. The fortified capital, built by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege of 1565, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Mdina. The old walled capital on a hill in the centre of the island is known as the Silent City for its quiet, narrow lanes.
• The Three Cities. Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua face Valletta across the Grand Harbour.
• Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum. An underground prehistoric burial complex carved out of rock over 5,000 years ago in Paola.

Best time to visit

April to June and September to October are the most comfortable months, warm enough for swimming from late spring with fewer crowds than midsummer. July and August are hot, dry and busy, and every town holds its village festa with fireworks and processions, mostly in summer.

Staying online in Malta

Mobile coverage is very good across Malta and Gozo, with fast 4G and 5G in towns and along the coast. Free Wi-Fi is available in many public squares, cafés, hotels and on some buses. Signal can weaken in deep valleys, at the foot of cliffs and in some sea caves, and boats near Sicily may briefly pick up Italian networks. EU visitors can usually roam on their home plan; others should install an eSIM before they fly and switch it on when they land.