Car Hire in Valletta

About Valletta

Valletta is the capital of Malta. Not only is it the capital, but it is also the largest city in the country in every sense of the word. It is a wonderful tourist destination and a perfect place for a holiday away from the hustle and bustle of working life. The architecture of this city will blow you away, as there are so many extraordinary buildings to see here that will give you a unique experience. 

Basic info and car hire in Valletta

• Location: Malta
• Population: 5.730
• Official language: Maltese/English 
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Malta's weather is typically the Mediterranean. Summertime, the island sees hot dry conditions with temperatures reaching up to 32°C in July and August; however, winter brings milder but still humid air conditions that only drop down around 15 - 17 °C between December-February  
• Holidays in Valletta: Here you can read all about holidays in Malta. 
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions: Road condition in Malta has improved in recent years. You will still find potholes or degrading surfaces, but it is less than what it used to be. People in Malta are known to have quite aggressive driving styles, so keep it in mind and be careful. You will notice that using turn signals is not common, but if you adjust to their driving methods and keep full focus on the driving, you will find that it is relatively simple to drive in Malta. 
• Car hire in Valletta: Car hire in Valletta is a great idea to explore all of what Malta has to offer. The most common pick up location is at Malta Airport. There are many different car rental companies available and they all offer competitive prices, so it's best to book a car three or eight weeks ahead of time - this will ensure you get an affordable rate! Alternatively, if your travel plans change last minute there are plenty around who can help out as well; just look no further than us here at Orbit Car Hire.

 Driving in Valletta

With the road conditions continuously improving each year, it only gets easier to drive in Valletta. You will still find some potholes that need to be avoided but it is not common anymore. All roads in Valletta are marked with signs making it easier to drive there.  Maltese have a more aggressive driving style than in most countries in Europe, making it challenging at times to drive there. It is always important to keep full attention to the driving and you will quickly learn how to adjust to their driving style. The legal driving limit in Malta is 0.8% BAC, the same as in the UK. Speed limits in Malta are 80 km/h on the open road and 50 km/h in built-up areas, you may find speed cameras on the open roads since there are over 25 units of speed cameras across Malta. 

It's always good to book a car in advance so it does not sell out (which can happen, especially in high season).

• Age limits: The age limit to hire a car in Malta is 21 years of age. Many agencies will either charge a young driver fee if you are under 25 years of age. Young driver fee in Malta varies between rental companies, going from 10.00 EUR per day to 30.00 EUR per day. Drivers must have held a driving license for a minimum of 1 year to rent a car in Malta. 
• International Driving Permit: An International Driving Permit is required in addition to a National Driving Licence if the National Driving Licence you or any of the Additional Drivers hold is not identifiable as a Driving Licence, e.g., it is in a non-Latin alphabet (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). Residents of countries that cannot issue International Driving Permits may present an official translation of their National Driving Licence. The translation must be issued by an Embassy or Consulate.
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company in case your policy does not cover you when driving in the Azores Islands). 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangles, spare wheels and a hands-free kit with hearing aids are required if you are talking on the phone while driving.
• Children in the car: You can find all information about children in the car in Malta here. 
• Driving side of the road: Left side. 
• Lights: Headlights must be on at all times (day and night). 
• General speed limits: Speed limits in Malta are 80 km/h on the open road and 50 km/h in built-up areas
• Parking suggestions: Parking in downtown Valletta can be difficult. You can find paid parking to make it easier to park. Parking in Valletta is free after 2 pm and before 8 am every day. 

What to see in Valletta

Valetta is the capital of Malta. The capital has many historic buildings and structures. The top 10 most important mediaeval structures are St John's Co-Cathedral, St John's Bastion, the City Gate, the Archbishop's Palace, the National Museum of Archaeology, the Auberge d'Italie, the Manoel Theatre, the Great Siege Monument and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. It is one of the most important tourist destinations in Europe.

It is a small town separated from other towns by the sea. It is always crowded as if all the people live in it. The main square and the shopping streets are here. You can find everything here: luxury goods as well as souvenirs for a penny. There are several interesting places near Valletta: Mdina - an old castle; Buskett - a nature reserve; Mgarr - a port with ferries that take tourists to Sicily and Gozo (Malta). Boats go there every day: then we sit on the deck and enjoy the beautiful view of the bay of Valletta.