South Eastern Malta covers fifteen towns around the Grand Harbour and the southeast coast, from the capital Valletta and the fortified Three Cities to the prehistoric Hypogeum and Tarxien temples and the fishing port of Marsaxlokk.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Malta is one of the most devoutly Catholic countries in Europe; in Valletta, Floriana and the Three Cities, visitors cover shoulders and knees in churches and avoid loud behaviour during Mass and processions
English and Maltese are both official languages, so English works almost everywhere, but a greeting in Maltese such as 'Bonġu' (good morning) is noticed and appreciated
Village and town feasts (festi) dominate the summer calendar, with brass bands, fireworks and street decorations; visitors are welcome to join the crowds but should keep clear of church doorways and procession routes
Traffic drives on the left, a legacy of British rule, and pedestrians in Valletta and Floriana should look both ways even on one-way streets
Sunday remains a quiet family day; many shops in the Grand Harbour towns close or open late, while Marsaxlokk fills for its weekly fish market
Maltese cuisine is Mediterranean with Sicilian, Arab and British influences; pastizzi, ftira, rabbit stew (stuffat tal-fenek) and fresh fish at Marsaxlokk are the dishes locals expect visitors to try
Modest swimwear belongs at the beach and the rocky bathing spots; visitors walking through Valletta, Birgu or Marsaskala town centres in swimwear or bare-chested may draw disapproval
The Grand Harbour fortifications, Valletta and the Tarxien and Hypogeum prehistoric sites are protected heritage; visitors do not touch, climb or remove anything from them
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet with 'Bonġu' (morning) or 'Il-lejl it-tajjeb' (good evening) when entering small shops and village bars
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches such as St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta and the parish churches of Birgu and Zejtun
- Try pastizzi (ricotta or pea pastries), ftira and fresh fish at Marsaxlokk's harbourside restaurants
- Book the Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni in Paola well ahead through Heritage Malta, as visitor numbers are strictly limited to protect the site
- Take the Grand Harbour ferry or a traditional dghajsa boat between Valletta and the Three Cities for views of the fortifications
- Stand back from festa processions and let the statue bearers and band pass; applause and photographs are welcome from the pavement
- Carry some cash for small bakeries, kiosks and the Sunday market stalls at Marsaxlokk
- Check opening hours on the day for churches and museums, as they close for Mass and public holidays
Don't
- Do not wear beachwear, hats or bare shoulders into churches; St John's Co-Cathedral can refuse entry
- Do not walk on Valletta's bastions and temple remains outside signed areas, or touch the walls of prehistoric sites
- Do not leave valuables visible in parked cars at Marsaxlokk, Marsaskala or the Delimara coastline
- Do not swim from rocks where red flags or warning signs are displayed, and do not enter the water after heavy rain
- Do not photograph inside churches or museums where signs forbid it, and do not use flash in St John's Co-Cathedral
- Do not assume cards are accepted at every small stall, fish-market vendor or village kiosk
- Do not feed or chase the stray cats that roam the fortifications and Marsaxlokk harbour
- Do not criticise the Catholic Church or its feasts in conversation with strangers; religion is an important part of local identity
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- A handshake is normal for first meetings; friends and family may kiss on both cheeks. 'Bonġu' (good morning) and 'Ċaw' (informal hello and goodbye) are widely understood, and most locals switch to English immediately for visitors.
- Dining
- Lunch is usually 12:30-14:30 and dinner from 19:00-19:30 onwards. Bread, olive oil and tomato paste (ftira, hobz biz-zejt) often arrive with the meal. Service is relaxed and the bill is brought only when requested.
- Dress
- Smart casual is standard for restaurants in Valletta; cover shoulders and knees for churches and for Heritage Malta religious sites. Beachwear is for the beach and boats only.
- Gifts
- A small local gift such as Maltese honey, sea salt from Gozo, sweet imqaret or a bottle of local wine is welcome when visiting a Maltese home.
- Business
- Business is conducted mostly in English and is relationship-based but punctual; formal dress is common for meetings in Valletta, and a handshake and business card exchange is customary.
- Tipping
- Tipping is modest: rounding up a taxi fare and leaving about 5-10 percent in restaurants with table service is typical, unless a service charge is already included on the bill.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Bonġu
Hello / Good morning
bon-JOO
Il-lejl it-tajjeb
Good evening
il-LAYL it-TIE-yeb
Grazzi
Thank you
GRAHT-tsee
Jekk jogħġbok
Please
yek yodge-BOK
Iva
Yes
EE-va
Le
No
leh
Skużani
Excuse me / Sorry
skoo-ZAH-nee
Saħħa
Cheers
SAH-ha
Kemm jiswa?
How much is it?
kem YIS-wah
Ċaw
Goodbye
chow
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in South Eastern.
Main: Roman Catholic is the predominant religion and the Constitution of Malta establishes it as the state religion, with freedom of worship guaranteed for other faiths.
Sites: St John's Co-Cathedral and the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Valletta, St Paul's Shipwreck Church in Valletta, the Collegiate Church of St Lawrence in Vittoriosa (Birgu), and the large parish churches of Zejtun, Tarxien and Zabbar.
Holy Days: Good Friday and Easter (variable), the Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck (10 February, Valletta), Victory Day (8 September, celebrated in the Three Cities), the Assumption or Santa Marija (15 August), and Christmas (25 December) are public holidays or major religious occasions.
Conversations: Religion is part of daily life and national identity; respectful interest is welcome, but debate on contested topics with strangers is best avoided.