The ultimate guide to Malta
There is a lot of information on this blog. I moved to Malta from England way back in 2010 and have been blogging ever since I booked that one way flight ticket. In that decade this site has been filled with posts about moving to, living in and enjoying Malta. So here I have collected all the most useful bits and created this ultimate guide to life in Malta.
Finding a job and working in Malta
Unless you’re lucky enough to not need to work, running your own company, working freelance or remotely, chances are you’ll be looking for work in Malta in order to live here. Wages vs cost of living varies drastically depending on what industry you’re in, with service jobs being incredibly poorly paid but tech, finance and iGaming positions generally offering a salary that can give you a comfortable life on the island.
Banking in Malta
If you’re not Maltese, banking in Malta can be a real nightmare. Despite their heavy reliance on foreign residents and workers, they make it a real challenge to do a lot of basic things like opening a bank account. Depending on your nationality it may even be impossible. Neo-banks like Revolut will make day to day money-management a lot easier but it’s not really recommended to have them as your primary bank account (because they are not actually banks). Read through my posts to discover which banks I recommend trying out, an idea of the process of opening a bank account and how I manage my money between local banks and Revolut.
Property: buying or renting in Malta
When you first move to Malta, most likely you’ll be looking to rent. Property prices can be expensive here (for the size, quality and local infrastructure) so unless you’re heavily into property and/or have lived here long enough to know it’s where you want to buy, renting is the best way.
Where to rent in Malta is a question I get a lot but it depends on a number of factors:
Do you want to be close to restaurants and bars?
Or do you prefer to be closer to beaches and greenery?
Will you be driving or relying on public transport?
Where will you be working and will you need to travel there daily?
Once you’ve assessed these questions, then you can start thinking about location. To the north of the island you have Mellieha, Bugibba, St Pauls Bay- cheaper, closer to beaches and nature but quite isolated if you don’t drive and a gruelling commute if you’re working in Sliema/St Julians. More centrally you have Sliema, St Julians, Gzira and Msida. Likely to be closer to most company offices, but on the pricier side for rent. A lot more bars, cafes and restaurants around, but much further away from sandy beaches and nature.
Shopping in Malta: online and local shopping in Malta
Malta is a tiny island so selection can be limited, which will make online shopping a real saviour. You’ll want to learn what shops deliver to Malta, which shops offer free delivery to Malta and where has the best prices. But many things can only be bought on the island (fruit, veg, groceries) or are cheaper or faster to order locally. Find out which ones delivery locally.
Things to do in Malta
So, you’re here, either on holiday, or the move is going well and you’re settled in and now you want to know how to keep yourself entertained. Malta is a small island, so you can’t compare it to big cities and countries where there are constant events, festivals, concerts, galleries, shows and so on. But there is plenty going on to keep you occupied.
Cities to explore in Malta
Mdina- the silent city: The old capital, a stunning walled city and the set for many iconic GOT scenes.
Valletta: The capital city. Beautiful streets, filled with quaint cafes, bars and restaurants.
🍸 Alchemy: tiny spot, lovely cocktails.
🍸 Yard32: gin bar with an insane collection- my favourite is with the marshmallows.
🍝 Taproom: get the mushroom pasta!
🍝 Grain: everything is amazing- now with a Michelin star.
Xemxija: a lovely beachside town on the sister island of Gozo.