Welcome to Malta

The jewel in the Mediterranean. For over 50 years these islands have hosted some of the most renowned film makers in the world.
WHY MALTA? Creatively it can double up for practically anywhere in the world especially when looking for period locations. Our architecture is dominated by two main foundations that have steeped the island's history. The Order of the Knights of St John and the Catholic church. In the 16th century after the 'Great Siege' of 1565, the Order transformed Malta in some of the most magnificent architectural fortifications in the world. Within the confined walls came a host of cultural and artistic Baroque buildings that are still adorned to this day. Architecture in the middle ages consisted mainly of square wayside chapels, farmhouses, rock cut grottos, catacombs and miles and miles of rubble walls which today are still evident when scouting the islands.


The Maltese Archipelago

Is made up of four islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino are inhabited, Filfla is not.
There are other smaller islands, Cominotto and St Paul's, which are also uninhabited.
The Maltese Islands cover an area of 316 square kilometres. (Malta 246, Gozo 67, Comino 2.7). The population of the islands are close to 400,000.


History

Although Malta has a long and illustrious history – spanning some 7000 years – three eras played the major role in shaping the present-day Islands:

The Arab Occupation from 870 to 1090 provided the basis of the Maltese language.

The Order of St John, which occupied the Islands from 1530 to 1798, shaped the Islands artistically, socially and culturally.

The British Period, from 1801 to 1964, introduced the concept of British justice with a unified code of laws, democracy and administration. The British also helped launch the Islands into the modern industrial world and linked the Islands with the worldwide community of English-speaking countries.

Malta

Malta is the largest island in the archipelago. The longest distance on the island, from the southeast to the northwest is some 27kms; its widest point, east to west, is 14.5kms. Malta has neither rivers nor mountains, but is characterized by a series of low, flat-topped hills with terraced fields on their slopes. Malta’s coastline is well indented with harbours, bays, creeks, several sandy beaches and rocky coves.

Malta is the more urban and cosmopolitan of the islands. It has every amenity from modern residential and commercial areas to a vibrant nightlife and numerous leisure options. While the Grand Harbour area and a most of the central-eastern region are built up, the countryside to the North is rugged and sparsely populated.

Capital: Valletta, also the capital of the Republic of Malta.

Airport: Malta International Airport, 10kms from Valletta.

Seaports: Grand Harbour and Marsaxlokk.


Gozo

Gozo is smaller than its sister island Malta, and has a character of its own. The Island is more rural and quieter. The countryside is greener and has some spectacular cliffs and inland scenery. The flat-topped hills here are more evident than in Malta, and give an idea of the way all the Islands would have looked in prehistoric times. Gozo’s coastline has picturesque bays, coves and rugged cliffs penetrated by steep gorges hewn by rivers in the ice age. Gozo is 14.5kms long and 7.2kms wide at its widest point.
A regular ferry service carries passengers and cars between Malta and Gozo. The trip takes about 30 minutes.

Capital: Victoria, also known by its older name, Rabat.

Airport: There is no airport in Gozo, but there is a heliport at Xewkija.

Seaport: Mgarr.


Comino

Comino is the smallest inhabited island in the archipelago. The Island is quiet - there are no cars on Comino, nor any other noise to disturb the peace. The Islands’ numerous bays and its crystal clear waters make it the perfect choice for filming especially for underwater photography.


Getting Here

Malta is closer to home than you think. The Archipelago lies virtually in the centre of the Mediterranean sea just 90 kilometres away from Sicily. Yet Malta is a few hours flying time from most major European cities and has excellent connections. London is merely 3 hours away, Rome 80 minutes,

Frankfurt 3 hours. The national airline Air Malta operates daily flights to and from major
European airports, North Africa and the Middle East. www.airmalta.com



Where to stay

Both cast and crew love the choice of excellent hotels and apartments scattered around the 3 islands.
There is accommodation to suit all tastes and seasons including quiet hideaways. Most 5 star hotels are equipped with health and spa centres, indoor pools and water sports. facilities. Apartments are usually situated in the centre of towns and include Air conditioning, TV, VCR and a fully kitted kitchen.
Stay inland and you can enjoy unique places such as ancient farmhouses clad in the splendour of Mediterranean gardens.


Language

The official languages are Maltese and English. Maltese is a language of Semitic origin written in the Latin script. Over the centuries, it has incorporated many words derived from English, Italian and French


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 northeasterly winds from central Europe.

Summers are hot, dry and very sunny. Daytime temperatures in summer are often mitigated by cooling sea breezes, but in spring and autumn a very hot wind from Africa occasionally brings unseasonably 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.

 

.
Highest
Recorded
Daily Average
Temperature in ºC
Hi Lo
Lowest Recorded
Sea
Temperature
Daily hours of
Sunshine
Rainfall
in mm
January
22.2
16.3
10.1
3.9
15.4
5.46
95.2
February
22.7
16.3
9.8
2.6
14.9
6.36
64.7
March
33.5
18.0
11.2
4.8
15.0
7.33
38.2
April
29.4
20.2
12.9
6.5
15.9
8.46
28.7
May
34.5
24.5
16.4
10.5
17.5
9.99
11.5
June
39.8
28.9
20.2
14.8
21.1
11.23
2.6
July
43.1
31.7
22.6
17.4
24.1
12.15
0.3
August
43.0
32.1
23.5
18.0
25.8
11.36
7.2
September
39.2
28.8
21.5
16.2
25.2
9.00
74.0
October
33.5
25.5
18.6
11.3
23.2
7.22
69.1
November
28.9
21.3
14.9
5.7
20.6
6.50
119.4
December
24.6
17.6
11.6
3.8
17.4
5.20
107.7

To get a 5-day Weather Report click here. Courtesy of MaltaWeather.com

Currency

The Maltese Pound (Lm) or Lira is divided into 100 cents.
One Maltese lira is worth 2.4 US$, 1.63 Sterling, 2.3 Euros.


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 Bureaus 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 bureau 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 H. The three-pin rectangular plug system is used, as in Britain.
Adapters are very easy to find.


Flight Enquiries & Schedules

 Telephone (356) 21249600 or 21697800. Schedules are also available on the Internet at:
www.maltairport.com
The online schedules are updated every five minutes.


Getting About

The beauty of the Maltese Islands is the size. Nowhere is more than 30 minutes away. The most popular hotel resorts are situated in St Julians which are 20 minutes away from the Mediterranean Film Studios and the Fort Ricasoli Back-lot. Hiring a car is easy and rates here are good value. Chauffer driven cars are also widely available.


Health

Malta has an excellent health service. Hospitals are modern and supported by a regional network of health centres. Private hospitals are also widely available. Travelers do not normally require certificates of vaccination or insulation to enter the Maltese Islands. It is advisable to take out a personal medical insurance policy. Malta has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom. Nationals of these countries, visiting the Islands for no longer than one month, are entitled to free medical and hospital care in both Malta and Gozo.
Visitors receiving special medical treatment should bring a medical prescription or a letter of introduction from their family doctor, in case they need to purchase particular medicines. Tap water is safe to drink.


Public Hospitals

Malta

St. Luke’s Hospital, St Luke’s Road,
G’Mangia.
Tel: 21241251
Fax: 21240176

Gozo

Craig Hospital,
Victoria.
Tel: 21561600
Fax: 21560881


Public Holidays

Public holidays observed in Malta are:

1st January - New Year’s Day

10th February - St. Paul’s Shipwreck

19th March - St. Joseph

31st March - Freedom Day

March / April (date changes) - Good Friday

1st May Labour Day

7th June Sette Giugno

29th June - St Peter and St Paul (L-Imnarja)

15th August The Assumption (Santa Marija)

8th September Our Lady of Victories

21st September - Independence Day

8th December - Immaculate Conception

13th December Republic Day

25th December - Christmas Day


Telecommunications & Internet

New communication technologies are widely available. Local mobile phone companies have agreements with the major international operators. GSM is widely available and roaming facilities are available with almost all the countries in the world.

Local and international telephone calls can be made from hotel rooms. Most hotels also offer fax and Internet access. The Islands are well-wired (there are around 10 Internet Service Providers). You will find several Internet Cafés on the Islands.
Coin and card operated telephone boxes can be found all over Malta and Gozo.

Useful & Emergency Telephone Numbers

00 International Code
356 Direct Dialing Code (Malta)
191 Police
196 Ambulance
199 Fire Brigade
1182 Directory Enquiries
1152 Overseas Operator
195 Time Check


Time Difference

Malta is on Central European Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT in winter and 2 hours ahead between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October. Malta is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) in winter and 7 hours ahead between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October.


Value-Added Tax

VAT was re-introduced on 1 January, 1999 with two rates of tax:
accommodation is charged at 5%, otherwise the rate is 18%.
Food, medicines, education, exports, maritime services, air, sea and public transport are exempt from VAT.

Film production companies can reclaim full refunds on VAT. The Ministry of Finance has made special arrangements to refund the money within a period of not more than 5 months provided that all the documentation is in order

 

Visas

American, Canadian and European Union nationals do not require a visa to enter Malta.
It is advisable that you check about visa and entry requirements before making your travel arrangements.

For the latest information, visit the Malta Government Website
Details can also be obtained from:

The Immigration Police
Police Headquarters
Floriana. Malta.
Tel (00356) 21240803 or 21240775
Fax (00356) 21242223
Email : cmru.police@gov.mt