10 Things Foreigners Always Get Wrong About Malta

This sunny little island in the Mediterranean is full of surprises. Tourists love it, but let’s be honest, they often get things a bit mixed up. Here are 10 funny things foreigners always get wrong about Malta!

1. “Malta is part of Italy, right?”

Wrong! Malta is an independent country. It was once ruled by many people, including the British and the Knights of St John, but not part of Italy.

2. “You speak Maltese? Is that like Italian?”

Nope! Maltese is its own language, and it’s the only Semitic language in Europe. It has Arabic roots, but with loads of English and Italian words mixed in.

3. “Do people live in Mdina?”

Yes, they do! The Silent City is not just for tourists. A few lucky families still live inside those ancient walls.

4. “Wow, this church is huge – it must be the only one!”

Not even close. There are over 365 churches in Malta: one for every day of the year!

5. “Where’s the beach in Valletta?”

Oops. Valletta is Malta’s capital, but it’s mostly rocky coastline. You’ll find sandy beaches elsewhere, like in Mellieħa or Golden Bay.

6. “It must be so quiet here!”

Actually, Malta can be very loud, especially during village festas with fireworks and bands. It’s a party island!

7. “Why do people say ‘mela’ all the time?”

Because it’s a magical word that can mean almost anything! (See our other article for the full scoop.)

8. “You must drive on the right like Europe!”

Nope again. In Malta, cars drive on the left, just like in the UK.

9. “Do you use euros or lira?”

Malta joined the Eurozone in 2008, so it’s euros all the way now.

10. “Is Malta just one island?”

Not quite! Malta is made up of three main islands Malta, Gozo, and Comino (where the famous Blue Lagoon is).

#MaltaDaily