St. Paul’s Bay – Malta Information

The EANM Focus Meeting will take place in Qwara – St. Paul’s Bay, Malta. Situated on Malta’s breathtaking North coast, St Paul’s Bay is one of Malta’s largest seaside towns. Originally a fishing village, the area is known for its promenade and offers spectacular views of St. Paul’s Island, where the Apostle is said to have been shipwrecked in 60 AD.

Banks & Currency Exchange

Banks are normally open until early afternoon from Monday to Friday and until midday on Saturday. Some banks/branches work longer hours.

The Exchange Bureaux at Malta International Airport are open 24/7. International bank cards are accepted, and foreign currency is easily exchanged. Banks, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and exchange bureaux can be found all over the islands. Conversion charges may be applied where outlets opt to accept payment in currencies other than the Euro.

Churches, Synagogues, Mosques

The vast majority of Maltese are nominally Catholic, however, all religions are allowed and practiced. Please contact your hotel concierge to obtain the times of services or nearby places of worship.

Climate

January and February are the coldest months. Nevertheless, Maltese winters are mild, with bright blue skies on most days. At this time of the year the maximum temperature ranges from 12 to 20 °C (54 to 68 °F) during the day and the minimum from 6 to 12 °C (43 to 54 °F) at night.

Currency

The official currency in Malta is the Euro (€).

Electricity

Electricity in Malta runs on an a230 volts/50-hertz system, with a three-pin rectangular G plug system.

Emergency Services

The three most used emergency services in the Maltese Islands are the police, the fire service, and the emergency medical service.

If you need to contact any of these services in the case of an emergency, kindly dial 112. These calls can be made from any phone and are free of charge – only use them for real emergencies.

Language

Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English.

Public Transportation

Comfortable and environmentally friendly, Malta’s bus service runs every day between 05:30 and 23:00. Night buses also run on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as on public holidays. Please check the Malta Public Transport website for more information.

Safety

Malta is a safe country but as anywhere else, it is worth taking sensible precautions.

Shopping

Commercial centres and shops are normally open between 09:00 and 13:00, and between 16:00 and 19:00. In tourist areas, many shops remain open till 22:00.

Shops are normally closed on Sundays and on public holidays.

Taxes & Tipping

VAT is always included in the price presented to the customers/guests in shops, hotels, restaurants, and other service providers.

Tipping is customary in Malta and a gratuity of between 5% and 10%, whenever good service has been provided, is reasonable. However, if a service charge has already been included in the bill, a tip is not necessary.

Taxi

Malta Taxi is the official taxi service in Malta. You may book your rides by calling +356 21823017 or through the Malta Taxi App, which is available for free on your mobile’s app store. 

Time Zone

Malta is in the Central European Time Zone and uses Central European Standard Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT 1).

Tourist Information Offices

The Malta Tourism Authority operates several tourist information offices across the Maltese Islands. For details, including phone numbers and opening hours, please click here.

Tourist Tax

The Environmental Contribution, also known as tourist tax, amounts to € 0.50 per person for each night spent on the Maltese Islands at any type of accommodation such as hotels, guesthouses, resorts, and apartments amongst others. The contribution is capped at a maximum of € 5.00 for each continuous stay.

Visa

To find out whether you must apply for a visa to visit the Maltese Islands, and how to do so, check out the Identity Malta website or consult your local Maltese Embassy before travelling. Travelers from EU, EEA, and EFTA countries do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

As rules tend to change regularly, it is recommended to check the national regulations regularly to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information before your trip.

All registered EANM Focus Meeting participants may request a visa invitation letter during the online registration process.