Malta is an archipelago located in the Mediterranean. You’ll find everything you need there, and it’s conveniently small. You can compare it to the German city of Bremen—that’s how big Malta is.
Transportation Options: Public Transport, Tours, or Driving
You can get around by public transport or with Malta Tours, but driving a car is also an option. However, it’s quite an adventurous choice. Why? We’re about to explain.
First, some basic rules. In Malta, **left is right**. The Maltese drive on the left side of the road! So, you take the roundabout clockwise, not the other way around. Speed limits are a maximum of 80 km/h outside cities and villages. Malta doesn’t have highways, so there’s no point in renting a fast car—it’s completely unnecessary.
The rules regarding phone use are the same as in the rest of Europe. But you won’t have time to use your phone anyway because you’ll be focusing on driving on the left. It requires a lot of concentration. As for seatbelt rules, they are the same, yet you’ll still see people sitting in the back of pickup trucks, bouncing along the road—especially in and around the small villages. Often, goats and sheep are following along too.
How does parking work in Malta? With white lines, you’re safe, but yellow lines are forbidden. And why are some lines blue? They can be used from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. After that, the residents take over, and you need to move your car. There are also green lines; it’s like a game of “Where’s Waldo?” but with parking spaces. Stay away from green—that’s strictly for residents.
More than 0.8 per mile of alcohol and then behind the wheel? No. Just take a taxi. They’re everywhere in Malta. Petrol and diesel are cheap in Malta, and gas stations are numerous, often with self-service. The Maltese don’t usually get out of their car to refuel, so you might find yourself waiting pointlessly, knowing you could have done it much faster yourself.
The roads in Malta are as diverse as the landscape. Sometimes beautifully paved, other times you’ll feel like you’re driving over a hernia-inducing surface. Outside the cities, the roads are rough and full of potholes. Remember to stay on the left! On narrow roads, you might easily forget.
And how do the Maltese drive? Often over the middle line, with frequent rear-end collisions. So, be careful because after an accident, you could be waiting for the police for hours, often in the blazing sun.
Conclusion: Consider Your Options
Exploring Malta by car is possible, but we highly recommend taking a Malta Bus Tour or a Malta Boat Tour. The islands are so small that it’s often not worth renting a car. Especially since you’ll probably end up stuck in traffic for at least two hours!
For the best Tours in Malta, click here.
