Malta
Nearly everyone in Malta speaks English fluently, so you'll rarely need Maltese โ but a 'grazzi' delights locals. Bolt dominates both rides and food, with Wolt as the other delivery app, and cards are accepted almost everywhere including the bus. The island is small and well-connected on 4G/5G, but ferries to Gozo and Comino plus packed summer buses make ride-hailing and offline maps worth having.
๐Rideshare & Taxi
All apps โ
European rideshare with cheaper fares than Uber in many cities. Also offers scooters.
The main ride-hailing app island-wide including Gozo; the separate Bolt Food app is a top delivery option.
๐ณPayments & Wallets
All apps โ
Multi-currency wallet with great FX rates. Useful in Europe, UK, US.
Hugely popular in Malta for card-free payments and splitting bills; great FX if you're not on euros.
๐บ๏ธNavigation & Maps
All apps โ
Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.
Best for the bus network (Malta's main public transport, alongside the harbour and Gozo ferries) and walking Valletta's grid.
๐ฑMessaging
All apps โ
The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.
How hosts, dive schools, boat charters and restaurants confirm bookings here.
๐ฑFood Delivery
All apps โ
Food and grocery delivery from the company behind Bolt rides โ a separate app, in selected cities across Europe and Africa.
A top delivery option across Malta โ a separate download from the Bolt ride app.
Helsinki-born food and grocery delivery โ big in Finland, the Baltics and much of Central and Eastern Europe.
The other big delivery app alongside Bolt Food.
โ๏ธTravel Planning
All apps โ
Largest hotel inventory globally with free-cancellation default filter.
Widest hotel and guesthouse inventory across Sliema, Valletta and Gozo.
Activities and tours in Europe and the Americas, with strong free cancellation.
Books Blue Lagoon boat trips, Comino tours and Three-Cities walks with free cancellation.
Largest reviews database for attractions, restaurants, and tours.
Useful for sorting genuinely good restaurants from tourist traps in Valletta and St Julian's.
๐ถeSIM & Data
All apps โ
eSIMs for 200+ countries, instant install. Avoid roaming charges entirely.
A Malta eSIM keeps you online instantly; handy if your plan lacks EU roaming.
Is Malta one stop of several?
Add your other destinations and get one combined app list, with the adapters and currencies for the whole trip.
The practical basics
Power & plugs
- Plug type
- G
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
- Type G: Three rectangular pins. The British plug, used in UK, Ireland, HK, Singapore, Malta, much of Africa and Middle East.
Like the UK, Malta uses the three-rectangular-pin Type G plug โ bring a British-style adapter, not a Continental one.
Tipping
Not obligatory. Service is usually not included, so 5-10% for good restaurant service is normal; round up taxi and bar tabs.
CurrencyEUR
Maltese you'll actually use
Etiquette and scams to know
โ Do
- Greet with a friendly hello and a 'grazzi' on leaving โ Maltese warmth goes a long way.
- Cover shoulders and knees inside churches; Malta has hundreds and they're actively used.
- Sunday lunch and village feasts (festi) are a big deal โ expect slower, social dining.
โDon't
- Don't anchor on or trample protected seagrass and reefs around Comino and the Blue Lagoon; swim inside the marked swimmer zones.
- Avoid loud or rowdy behaviour near churches during Mass or feast processions.
- Don't assume buses run on time in peak summer โ they fill up and pass stops; plan extra time.
โ ๏ธ Common scams to know
- Horse-cab (karrozzin) drivers and some white taxis quoting steep unmetered fares โ agree the price or use Bolt.
- Timeshare/'free scratchcard win' touts in St Julian's and Bugibba pulling you to sales presentations.
- Overpriced 'fresh fish by weight' specials where the bill balloons โ confirm the price per kilo first.
This page was last reviewed in September 2026. Apps launch, rebrand and pull out of countries all the time, so confirm anything your trip depends on. Spotted something out of date? Tell us โ here's how we check.