Sliema

Airport: Malta International (MLA). Direct flights from London take about 3h 18m.

Public transport: a single ticket is typically £1.7–£2.2. A day pass or a travel card is usually better value if you ride several times a day.

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Currency: Euro (€).

Tipping: 5 to 10% in restaurants if service is not included.

Take a debit or credit card with no foreign transaction fees if you can, carry a little cash for markets and small cafés, and when a machine offers to charge you in pounds, choose the local currency.

Typical daily spend: see the Sliema cost guide.

Language: Maltese and English (both official). English is spoken everywhere.

Rhythm of the day: Relaxed, late dinners. Some sights close in the afternoon on certain days.

• Traffic drives on the left, as in the UK.
• Buses are cheap but can be slow in summer traffic. Ferries to Valletta from Sliema are quick and scenic.
• Book Gozo and Comino boat trips in advance for summer weekends.

Free things to do: 5 of the 9 places in our Sliema guide are free. See them.

Book timed-entry sights, popular restaurants and weekend trains ahead. Flights and hotels are usually cheapest booked 6 to 12 weeks out for city breaks, and earlier for summer beach holidays.

Emergency number: 112.

• Comino’s Blue Lagoon is very crowded from late morning in summer.
• Strong sun and little shade: carry water and sun protection.

A UK GHIC gives you access to state healthcare in the EU on the same terms as locals, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance. Take out insurance that covers medical care, cancellation and your activities.

Plugs and voltage: Type G (the same three-pin plug as the UK), 230V. No adapter needed.

Tap water: Tap water is safe but tastes strongly of desalination, so many people prefer bottled.

Entry and documents: Entry rules, passport validity and any pre-travel registrations change. Always check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice page for your destination before you book and again before you travel.