Trip Planning
The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure.
Stop researching. Start exploring.Discover all 59 highlights,ranked
and organized into practical routes.
Get instant access
Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.
Travel Essentials
Routine Vaccinations: Ensure you’re up-to-date on routine vaccines: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), varicella (chickenpox), and polio.
Hepatitis A: Recommended for travelers. It can spread through contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B: Consider if you might have close contact with locals, be sexually active, or get any medical treatment.
Flu Vaccine: If traveling during flu season, consider a flu shot.
Always check current health advisories and consult a travel health professional for personalized advice.
vaccination requirements When I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.
These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Malta, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.
There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Airalo, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.
Get your e-sim for MaltaCulture & Customs
Dress modestly, especially when visiting churches. It’s respectful to cover shoulders and knees. Try greeting locals with a friendly ”Bongu” (good morning) or ”Bonswa” (good evening). Tipping isn’t mandatory but appreciated, usually around 5-10% for good service.
Avoid discussing politics or religion in depth, as these can be sensitive topics. Public displays of affection are generally accepted, but be discreet in more traditional areas. For LGBTQ+ travelers, Malta is very progressive, but always stay aware of your surroundings. Women should feel comfortable traveling solo, but as always, keeping an eye on your belongings and surroundings is wise.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Malta.
- Fenek: This is rabbit stew, and it’s a beloved Maltese classic. Often slow-cooked with wine and garlic, it’s a dish with roots deep in Maltese tradition, symbolizing the island’s rustic culinary history.
- Pastizzi: These are flaky pastries, usually filled with ricotta or mushy peas. Ubiquitous and affordable, pastizzi are a staple snack, capturing the essence of Maltese street food culture.
- Ftira: A kind of open sandwich made with local bread, typically topped with tuna, capers, tomatoes, and olives. It’s a perfect bite to enjoy by the beach, reflecting the island’s Mediterranean vibes.
- Ġbejniet: These are small round cheeses made from sheep’s milk. They can be fresh, dried, or peppered and are a true taste of rural Malta, often featured in salads or as a simple snack.
- Kapunata: Similar to ratatouille, this vegetable dish is a mix of eggplant, bell peppers, and tomatoes, seasoned with herbs. It’s a testament to the island’s agricultural bounty and Mediterranean influences.
Tap water in Malta is technically safe to drink, but it’s desalinated and can taste a bit off, so locals often opt for bottled or filtered water. Tourists might prefer doing the same for taste reasons, although health-wise, it’s generally fine. If you’re on a tight budget, consider bringing a reusable bottle with a filter.
The main language in Malta is
Maltese. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Maltese skills have become a bit rusty.
Want to understand locals better?The complete Travel Guide for Malta includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.
Get your local basic phrases 👉
Get the Travel Guide - is widely spoken in Malta, making it an accessible destination for English-speaking travelers. As one of the official languages alongside Maltese, English is used in government, education, and media. Most Maltese people are bilingual, often speaking English fluently, especially in urban areas and tourist hotspots like Valletta, Sliema, and St. Julian’s.
In restaurants, shops, and hotels, staff typically have a good command of English, ensuring that communication is smooth for visitors. Additionally, road signs and public information are usually available in English, further facilitating navigation and understanding.
While some older generations may have varying levels of proficiency, younger Maltese individuals are generally well-educated in English, having learned it from an early age. Overall, travelers can expect minimal language barriers, allowing them to fully enjoy Malta’s rich history, culture, and hospitality.
Money & Payments
The local currency of Malta is EUR (€).
When you’re backpacking through Malta, it’s good to know that euros are the way to go. Forget about using dollars; they won’t get you far here. ATMs are pretty easy to find, especially in urban areas like Valletta or Sliema. However, if you’re exploring the more remote parts of the islands, it’s smart to carry some cash. Keep small bills as not everyone loves breaking a 50.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but small eateries and local shops might still prefer cash. Just make sure your card doesn’t charge hefty foreign transaction fees. As for exchanging money, banks and official exchange bureaus are your best bet. Steer clear of airport exchange services if you want to avoid bad rates.
In Malta, tipping isn’t compulsory but appreciated. In restaurants, a tip of about 5-10% is common if service charge isn’t included. For taxis and other services, rounding up to the nearest euro is a nice gesture.
v2.webp){kind=logo}
Best Backpacking.jpg)
Over the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.