Frequently Asked Questions

Not really. Qawra is mainly rocky lidos and flat limestone platforms. Bugibba Perched Beach is a small artificial sandy option nearby, but the best natural sand is a short drive away.

Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa are the closest major sandy beaches, about 12 km west of Qawra and a 15-to-20-minute drive.

Mellieħa Bay (Għadira) is ideal for families. The sand stretches about 800 m and the water stays shallow and calm a long way from shore.

Buses do serve the major beaches, but they get very crowded in summer and the trip is hot and slow. A hire car guarantees a comfortable return and makes carrying beach gear easy.

Mellieħa Bay has free roadside parking along the main road. Most other beach lots are run by informal attendants who expect a small €2 to €3 tip for watching your car.

Malta drives on the left-hand side of the road, and all hire vehicles are right-hand drive, just as in the UK.

Limits are 50 km/h in built-up urban areas and a maximum of 80 km/h on open arterial roads, dropping to 30 km/h or 35 km/h in village cores and school zones. There are no motorways.

The Controlled Vehicular Access zone is a camera-monitored congestion charge in Valletta costing €0.82 per hour. Avoid it by parking at the Floriana Park-and-Ride for €0.40 per day, or by visiting at the weekend or after 14:00 on weekdays.

For minor, non-injury accidents do not call the police, as blocking traffic can earn a fine. Fill in the 'Bumper-to-Bumper' European Accident Statement from the glovebox, photograph the scene, move the cars aside and contact your hire firm's roadside assistance. Call 112 for injuries, or LESA on 2132 0202 for disputes.

No. Fuel prices are fixed by the government, with unleaded 95 at €1.34 per litre and diesel at €1.21, making your driving budget easy to predict.

Rates vary sharply by season. In winter, budget models can cost as little as €10 to €17 per day, while peak July and August rates run from €29 to €58 per day. Automatics generally cost 30% to 50% more and sell out first.

Malta International Airport is about 20 km south of Qawra. The drive usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the time of day and traffic through the central junctions.

Yes. Motorists in Malta drive on the left-hand side of the road, just as in the United Kingdom, and all national road signs are displayed in English.

Drivers with a valid UK or EU/EEA photocard licence do not need an IDP. Visitors from the US, Canada or Australia can drive for up to 12 months on a Latin-script licence, but an IDP is often requested at the desk, so it is wise to carry one.

Expect an excess of €1,000 to €2,000 depending on the vehicle, held as a credit-card pre-authorisation. Buying Super CDW reduces that excess to zero and shrinks the deposit to around €100 to €150.

Yes — almost all firms allow their cars on the Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa. The return fare for a car and driver is about €15.70, paid only on the return leg from Gozo. Just confirm your contract has no ferry-exclusion clause.

Malta International Airport is about 18 to 21 km from Qawra. The drive usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic and your chosen route north.

You will find major international brands including Avis, Budget, Hertz, Sixt and Europcar, alongside well-regarded local suppliers such as CityGo and Aquarius.

No shuttle is needed. The car hire desks and vehicles sit in the Park East multi-storey car park, a short three-minute walk from the arrivals hall.

Often, yes. Many firms let you collect at the airport and drop off at a Qawra hotel or local depot for a one-way fee of around €20, but some suppliers do not allow one-way hires, so confirm it when you book.

International chains stay open until around 23:30 or 00:30, while CityGo runs 24/7. Flights arriving after midnight may incur an out-of-hours surcharge of €18 to €25.

Top picks include the walled Silent City of Mdina, the streets of Valletta (via the Floriana Park-and-Ride), the dramatic Dingli Cliffs and the fishing village of Marsaxlokk. All of them sit within about a 30-minute drive of Qawra.

Malta is roughly 27 km long. Driving from the northern tip near Ċirkewwa to the far south at Marsaxlokk takes about 45 minutes in normal traffic, against more than two hours on the public bus network.

Yes — most suppliers allow their cars on the Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa, but always check your specific agreement. The return fare is paid only when you leave Gozo.

It is not strictly essential, but driving is far easier. A bus from Qawra to Marsaxlokk takes over 1 hour 40 minutes each way, against just 27 minutes by car. Arrive by 07:00 and leave by 10:30 to grab parking near the football ground before the crowds.

You cannot drive inside the walled city of Mdina — park in the Rabat lots outside the gate. Valletta is reachable, but driving into the CVA zone triggers congestion charges, so it is far easier to park at the Floriana Park-and-Ride for €0.40 per day.