Travel & stay
Most of you will be traveling from the US, and we know this is a big trip. Here is a starting point for getting to Malta, settling in, and making a little vacation of it. Coming from elsewhere? The local tips apply to you too.
Flights
Search from your home airport to Malta International Airport (MLA), about 30 minutes by car from Mdina. A connection through a hub such as London, Frankfurt, or Rome is a common option from the US. Routes and seasonal nonstop options can change, so compare the schedules for your actual travel dates.
Many eastbound flights leave the US in the evening and arrive in Europe the next day. Check the arrival date carefully, allow time for connections, and consider arriving a day or two before our Thursday, September 9 celebration to rest and adjust. Optional outings before and after are still to be confirmed; please reach out to us directly before booking around them.
Getting around
Taxis and the Bolt ride-hailing app are options for airport transfers and getting around; check the fare before booking. Buses can cost less but take longer. Unlike the US, Malta drives on the left. If you rent a car, check the rental company’s license requirements and plan to park outside Mdina, where vehicle access is restricted.Open The Xara Palace in Google Maps ↗
Where to stay
Inside the walls, Mdina
Where it all happens. A Relais & Châteaux palazzo with a handful of rooms; a lovely option for staying close to the celebration. Room availability and any group booking arrangements are still to be confirmed.
Visit website ↗Just outside the Main Gate
Rabat is the town that grew up around Mdina. Townhouse B&Bs, five to ten minutes on foot from the gate, and noticeably gentler on the wallet.
25 to 35 minutes by taxi
If you want the capital, restaurants, and the harbor for the rest of your trip. Easy taxi or bus to Mdina; we will share transport details nearer the time.
Before you pack
Traveling on a US passport? Check its validity and the latest US State Department guidance for Malta before booking. Also check the official ETIAS website for any authorization required for your 2027 trip. Requirements depend on your passport and any countries you transit through.
During our September dates, Malta is 6 hours ahead of US Eastern time, 7 ahead of Central, 8 ahead of Mountain daylight time, and 9 ahead of Pacific. All celebration times will be listed in Malta local time.
Bring a UK-style Type G adapter for US plugs. Malta uses 230 volts; check that your charger says “100–240V.” An adapter changes the plug shape, not the voltage, so a US-only hair dryer or styling tool may need a different solution.
Malta uses euros (€), not US dollars. Check your card’s foreign transaction fees and keep some euros for smaller purchases. When a card terminal offers a currency choice, paying in euros generally avoids the merchant’s dollar-conversion markup.
September days are often around the low 80s °F (upper 20s °C). Bring sunscreen, light clothes, a swimsuit, and comfortable shoes for stone streets. Check the forecast before packing, and add a light layer for evenings.
English is an official language alongside Maltese, so getting around in English is straightforward. Check your US carrier’s international plan or whether your unlocked phone supports a travel eSIM, and download maps before you leave.
A little more of Malta
While you are here
The baroque capital: St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and a ferry across to the Three Cities.
Fifteen minutes from Mdina. Go for sunset and take a bottle of something.
The quieter sister island. Day trip by ferry from Ċirkewwa; Victoria’s citadel and the salt pans are worth the crossing.
Boat trips into the sea caves in the morning light, then the megalithic temples at Ħaġar Qim next door.
Għajn Tuffieħa and Golden Bay on the west coast are the classic sandy beaches; St Peter’s Pool for jumping off rocks.
Pastizzi from a hole in the wall, rabbit stew, ftira from Gozo, and Kinnie if you are brave.