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More Information
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Tourism
The Climate
Cost of Living
Medical Services
Proximity to Other Countries (Flying Times)
Local Time
Driving
Schools
Sports Facilities
British Residents' Association
Diving
Yachting Facilities
Distance to Mediterranean Ports in Nautical Miles
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Tourism
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It is no wonder that Malta is a popular year round holiday destination.
It has natural scenic wealth, abundant culture and history, a great selection
of good quality restaurants and varied night life, high standards of health,
a most agreeable climate, political stability and friendly people. The tourist
sector is one of the most important of the Maltese economy with an average of
1,200,000 tourists visiting the islands annually. The British market represents
about 41%, followed by tourists from Germany, The Netherlands, France, Italy,
and other countries, mostly European. Around 500,000 tourists a year visit the
island on cruise liners.
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The Climate
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The Mediterranean climate is what you dream of when you close your eyes… sunny and warm with mild winters and dry, hot summers. Frost and snow are unknown. Rain falls only for very short periods, averaging 583 mm in a whole year. Temperatures for the November-April period average 14°C, and 23°C for the May-October period. The hottest period is from mid-July to mid-September.
There are 6.5 hours of sunshine on average in winter and 10.5 in summer.
Follow the example of the Maltese and enjoy this wonderful Mediterranean climate from a central courtyard, a garden, balcony, roof-top garden or terrace.
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Cost of Living
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Compared with other countries, Malta has one of the lowest costs of living in Europe. Foodstuffs, clothing and furniture are very competitively priced, with plenty of choice and most top international brands. Services like water, electricity, telephone and gas are also very reasonable – and reliable.
There are no property taxes and no council taxes making the whole prospect of buying property in Malta and Gozo an attractive one indeed.
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Maintenance charges
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Maintenance charges
The cost of labour in Malta is considerably lower than in most European countries. Tradesman such as carpenters, electricians and plumbers are competent and not expensive. Maintenance is also competitive, whether for the property itself, or for vehicles and home appliances. Maltese domestic staff are known for their honesty, reliability and diligence. The average hourly rates for a cleaner or gardener are in the region of Euro 6 per hour.
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Cable television, satellite and telephony
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There are approximately 50 cable television channels in different languages, including BBC, CNN, NBC, Spanish TVE, French TV5, most Italian channels, a German channel and other film and entertainment channels.
Satellite dishes are also popular, and can be bought and installed at a reasonable cost.
Malta’s telephone system is a highly sophisticated, being mainly fibre optic, with high speed broadband internet connections being readily available. There is nationwide 3G coverage and broadband wireless access is imminent.
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Leisure time
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Don’t be fooled by Malta’s size. The islands have a stunning calendar of theatre and concert events, both classical and modern, with top international performers. Many are held outdoors or in historic venues, often at a fraction of what you would pay in Europe. There are annual cultural events, such as the three-month summer festival and an international jazz festival in July. Now over 10 years old, it has seen legends and newcomers perform in spectacular venues such as the floodlit Grand Harbour.
Malta is also a popular place for clubbing with top international and local DJs performing regularly in various venues throughout the year. Paceville and St Julians are the centre of the clubbing scene. For excitement of a different kind, try your luck at one of the popular casinos.
The islands have several state-of-the-art multiplex cinemas showing the latest releases, while international films are shown at St James Cavalier in Valletta. Several hit films, including Gladiator and Troy, were filmed in Malta
Dining “al fresco” is one of life’s pleasures. Choose from romantic palazzos to bustling harbour restaurants and discover the range of Maltese and international cuisine, taste the award-winning local wines, and enjoy the good life!
For an alternative night out, nothing beats a summer “festa”. Saints, fireworks, food and fun are all part of this cultural phenomenon, one not to be missed! In winter, enjoy the extravagant carnival parades or the solemn Easter functions.
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Proximity to Other Countries (Flying Times)
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Malta - London
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3.05hrs
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Malta - Frankfurt
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2.35hrs
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Malta - Rome
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1.15hrs
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Malta - Amsterdam
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3.05hrs
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Malta - Paris
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2.35hrs
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Malta - Cairo
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2.25hrs
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The national airline, Airmalta, operates regular flights to and from all major airports in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Other international carriers, including low cost carriers, operate regular flights to and from Malta.
Sicily is 3 to 6 hours away by ferry from Malta or just 90 minutes away by high speed catamaran. There are also ferry connections to northern Italy.
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Medical Services
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No matter what your state of health, it is important to have peace of mind. Medical services in Malta are among the best in the world, from efficient regional health centres to a new state-of-the-art hospital (and a smaller one in Gozo), with well-managed waiting lists. Specialists often obtain higher post-graduate qualifications overseas, mainly in the UK
EU citizens resident in Malta are entitled to free public health care services in accordance with entitlements determined by the Ministry of Health. Applicants need to have the appropriate E form signifying their entitlement under the social security registration in their country of origin. All you require to be able to receive treatment is this official certificate and a personal identification document.
Temporary visitors (under 1 year stay) from EU member states and EEA states also have direct access to public health care services upon presentation of the European Health Insurance Card together with an identification document.
Private medical care is also available and apart from general practitioner services, there are three private hospitals and a number of small private clinics. A number of private medical insurance companies offer packages that cover the cost of such care.
Ministry of Health Website: http://www.sahha.gov.mt
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Local Time
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Malta is on Western Europe time which puts the islands one hour ahead of GMT. Daylight saving time is applied in Malta.
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Driving
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All current licences and international driving licences are recognised. Driving is on the left.
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Schools
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Standards of education in Malta are very high with English as the language of instruction for most subjects at all levels of the education system. Malta offers free education through a state school network from kindergarten to university. There are numerous private schools and institutes with very reasonable rates, which use English as the tuition language. Both day and boarding facilities are available. The curriculum is very closely aligned to the British system with students sitting for ordinary and advanced level examinations which are required for entry to the University of Malta. One private school offers Baccalaureate tuition.
Malta boast one of the oldest universities in the Commonwealth outside Britain, providing education for more than 8,000 students in all the major disciplines, with an international student population. The vocational and technical education college offers courses in applied electronics, design, IT and others, to BTec (Higher National Diploma) level.
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Sports facilities
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The principal sports club in Malta is the Marsa Sports Club, with landscaped grounds offering tennis, an 18-hole golf-course, cricket, squash, swimming and many others sports, as well as being a very popular social club. The Union Club in Sliema, on the other hand, offers a pleasant club house and an inexpensive restaurant. It has a bar, bridge room, snooker hall and some excellent tennis and squash courts. Many activities are organised by the club which also has an attractive beach concession at Tigné, with a good restaurant and excellent facilities.
Waterpolo clubs offer seasonal access to their freshwater pools and there are various lidos open in summer, either independent or affiliated to hotels. There are numerous sports associations that organise children’s coaching, ranging from basketball to football. There are also numerous dance and theatre schools
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British Residents' Association
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The British Residents’ Association organises many social and cultural events all year round. Membership is open to all nationalities.
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Diving
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The Maltese islands are a veritable paradise for divers and snorkellers. The sea temperature never drops below 13° C and in summer temperatures are about 23° C. Divers may wear a light 3 mm diving suit or even dive without one. There is negligible tide and the water clarity is excellent.
The islands offer a well-developed, high standard infrastructure for divers, meeting the most sophisticated demands. There are stringent qualification and safety standards, with a hyperbaric unit available. Equipment can be leased at very favourable rates.
The smallness of the islands means divers can move from one site to another very easily, whether they are seeking caves and wrecks or underwater statues and sea life. Boat dives go to sites not easily accessible from land, and there are also exhilarating night dives.
Spear fishing is absolutely forbidden as is removal and non-reporting of archaeological finds.
You will need a local diving permit and you may find that it is easier to leave the administrative procedures to a diving school, rather to try to get through them on your own.
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Yachting Facilities
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The islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino provide an indented coastline of 200 km with clear and clean waters, making a cruise around the islands a real delight. The sailing season stretches from April to November and even in winter there are many sunny days and steady north-westerly winds.
There are excellent marinas at Msida, Ta’ Xbiex, Mgarr (Gozo), Portomaso and at the spectacular, historic creek of Vittoriosa in the Grand Harbour, at very reasonable rates. Amenities include: water, telephone, electricity, weather forecasts, DF Beacon, ship-to-shore radio, chart depots, supply of bottled gas, etc. You can also hook up to cable television and wi-fi internet. A number of residential marina developments mean you can walk to your boat, or admire it from your balcony.
There are excellent repair facilities and chandleries whilst charges for hauling out and storing on hard standing are very reasonable. Several yachting agencies look after yachts afloat over the winter and also supervise maintenance. A yacht yard comprising 9 modern slipways has facilities for slipping, repairing, converting and servicing of yachts up to 500 tons.
Malta’s sailing scene is vibrant with numerous regattas and races, including the international Rolex Middle Sea race, a gruelling 608 mile sea race. Sicily is only a half-day’s sail away with numerous ports to visit and there is an annual regatta to Tunisia. Lampedusa is also accessible in less than a day while Greece is less than three days away.
Of course, there is plenty to do locally with numerous safe anchorages off both sandy and rocky coves.
Malta Maritime Authority website - http//www.mma.gov.mt
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Distance to Mediterranean ports in nautical miles
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Alexandria
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822
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Barcelona
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666
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Corfu
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370
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Genoa
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580
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Gibraltar
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996
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Marseilles
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635
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Monte Carlo
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600
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Piraeus
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517
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Syracuse
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86
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Tunis
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222
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Venice
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734
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Homes of Quality, 201, Tower Road, Sliema SLM1602, Malta
Tel: 00356 2342 0000 Fax: 00356 2137 4166
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email: info@homesofquality.com.mt
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