As with any other country, Malta has some things and activities that a visitor should avoid. There are no violence or major threats to your health (Malta has the 3rd lowest crime rate in the entire EU), but they’re always are services and spots where you could get ripped off or just not have a good time due to not being familiar with what’s what. So, without further ado, here are 5 places, things & activities to avoid in Malta.
Table of Contents
White cabs
Cabs or taxis are usually found near airports, seaports and other tourist destinations. In Malta, taxis are white and they’re best known for completely the wrong reasons. Numerous articles have popped up about how drivers tried to rip customers off or cam them in other ways. Despite not all drivers being not too honest, and some deserving of proper praise, it’s still better to avoid the risk and picking services like car-pooling and ride-sharing to get around. Ride-sharing taxi in Malta is cheaper than regular white cabs and provides you with transparent info about travel costs right at the get-go. You can find any information about routes in Malta by visiting https://www.cool.mt/routes
Biking
Cycling is sort of a new and up-and-coming thing in Malta, still. It doesn’t have the greatest infrastructure for it; however, you can find amazing and scenic routes a bit away from the city. However, they are physically demanding and there are quite strict rules. Besides, if you came with your children, cycling is pretty much out of the equation because children under 12 aren’t permitted to cycle on most bike-specific pavements.
Paceville (use caution)
Despite the low national crime average, there are some spots on Malta’s map, that should be noted as zones where you could be more cautious. Paceville (or St. Julian’s) is one of them. It’s known for being the center-most party and nightlife hub of the island. It’s a great location if you want to enjoy the nightlife of Malta, but it’s also recorded that the crime rate is at least a few times higher than the national average.
Since it has a vast number of different attractions, it wouldn’t be fair to just recommend staying away from Paceville, but if you do decide to visit, keep your belongings close to you and avoid confrontations. Don’t make visiting here your No.1 priority if you want a smooth and fun vacation. It’s better to look for fun somewhere else. Locations like the Gianpula or Uno Village offer the same nightlife buzz without all of the unnecessary drama.
Driving
Compared to some Northern European countries, the driving culture in Malta is a bit odd and bizarre. The drivers are somewhere in between Southern Italy and Northern Africa which can lead to somewhat chaotic and strange experiences on the road. If you’re used to driving in serene or remote locations and move to Malta, it’s best to avoid driving or renting a car. In the grand scheme of things, public transport is above driving a car (for foreigners), in terms of comfort. Speaking of public transport…
Taking a bus
It’s not that buses in Malta are bad or anything, it’s just that they tend to be overcrowded. A lot of the time. Even though Malta’s public transport sector is well-developed and offers to take you seemingly anywhere on the island, peak season is when the situation gets really bad. Due to the massive numbers of foreign students and tourists, the buses are just overflown with people and won’t stop to pick you up if they’re too full. That’s understandable and no one wants to spend their time cramped in a bus, but if you are able to, choose an alternative means of transportation. Car rentals or the aforementioned car-pooling is a much more reliable option.
