Important information
Below you will find the practical information you need to plan and enjoy your trip to Malta.
The full conference programme will be announced over the course of September 2021. Please note: the conference is only open to ETC Member Theatres and invited guests.
The final boat to leave Malta's harbour in time for the opening of the conference on 28 October is at 17:00. Please plan your arrival in Malta with plenty of time to make this connection.
Malta has a UK power point system (see photo below), so participants need to bring their own adaptors.
Covid-19 regulations
Please note: currently, delegates must be fully vaccinated to travel to Malta and will be required to provide proof of vaccination by downloading an EU vaccine certificate.
To understand all the latest Covid regulations and travel restrictions in Malta, please refer to the government website and information from Malta Airport.
Book Grand Hotel Excelsior for preferential rates.
Deadline: 28 September
We have preferential rates at the Grand Hotel Excelsior (EUR 90,00 including breakfast) with an exclusive discount code. We will send you the code once you have registered for the conference.
Please note the code is only valid until 28 September.
Bookings can be cancelled free of charge up to 14 days prior to arrival.
It is important to note, we cannot guarantee those rates or rooms will be available after 28 September, so please don’t be late in making your booking.
Getting from Malta International Airport (MIA) to the Grand Hotel Excelsior
Hotel co-ordinates: Latitude- 35.898184850793 / Longitude- 14.504860639572
The distance from the airport to this Hotel in Valletta (Malta) is 7km with a driving time of around 20 minutes.
The Hotel offers a Chauffeur Service from the Malta International Airport to the Grand Hotel Excelsior at 20 Euro one way (maximum of three persons).
For Malta airport transfers we ask delegates to please contact the transport desk on transport@excelsior.com.mt.
Taxi: average price of 20-25EUR; 20-minute ride. There is also a taxi service available at the airport.
Bus: X4 takes you directly to Valletta Bus Terminal which is a 7-minute walk away from the Hotel.
Getting around Malta
Taxi and bus services
We can recommend the following Taxi Apps:
- Cool Ride-Pooling
- eCabs Malta
- hicabs Malta
- Bolt
- Bonju Ride
- Ryde Malta
The bus app Tallinja The app can help you track buses and routes.
There are different bus cards which delegates can buy from the Airport at the WHS Express, Arrivals Hall/ or in Valletta at the Agenda Book Shops. These include;
Click here to find out where you can buy your bus card.Alternatively you can buy cash tickets. A single fare is 1.50EUR which lasts 2 hours.
Hotel and Conference Locations
Click on the link below to reveal a map of all our conference locations
Map of Conference Locations
Click on the liks below for maps of how to get between the hotel and conference locations;
Teatru Manoel to Restaurant Undercroft > walking distance of 15 minutes.
Hotel to Valletta Grand Harbour via Upper Barrakka Lift Take the lift down to the Harbour, it’s approx 1EUR-1.50EUR. Then once out of the lift, walk to your left until you reach the 3 Cities Ferry embankment > total approx walking distance of 20 minutes
Hotel to Teatru Manoel > walking distance of 17 minutes
Spazju Kreattiv to Hotel >walking distance of 10 minutes
Performance Locations
Click on the links below to reveal maps showing the locations of our performance venues
Local speciality food to try
Don't miss these 'must-have bites'!
Pastizzi
Diamond-shaped, crunchy, and heaven-sent, these savoury snacks will satiate your appetite any time of day. Traditionally filled with either ricotta, curried peas or anchovies, these snacks are beloved by the Maltese, and we’re sure you will come to love them too.
Ħobż biż-Żejt
This is our go-to sandwich. Maltese leavened bread (ftira), smothered with tomato paste (kunserva), canned tuna in olive oil, onions, capers, olives, and our ġbejniet (Maltese cheeselet) salt and pepper to taste...It’s divine!
Kinnie
A mix of aromatic herbs and spices, made with oranges and just the right amount of bittersweet memories, this Maltese soda is best paired with a pastizz, or mix it with spritz and have yourself a nice cocktail.
Cisk
Cisk is an outstanding Maltese premium lager brewed from barley malt, with a full-bodied flavour and a distinct sweet taste. Its subtle bitterness and fresh fruity aroma make this beer the championing beverage to wash down any traditional delicacy. Our suggestion? Pair your beer with a scrumptiously fresh Maltese tuna ftira and we're sure you'll be begging for more.
Exploring Malta
Don't miss these 'must-see sites'!
A list of places we recommend exploring whilst you are in Malta!
Restaurant
We recommend Ta’ Detta. Click here to see a map of the location.
A World Heritage City, Valletta is the heart of the nation where the present lives harmoniously with the past.
Must-see sites:
St John’s Co-Cathedral
Grand Master’s Palace
Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens
Walk through Republic Street and Merchant Street
Casa Rocca Piccola
The National Museum of Archaeology
National Museum of Fine Arts
Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum
Restaurants
Pintonino, Legligin, Noni, Guze Bistro, Rubino, Beati Paoli, Trabuxu, King’s Own Band Club, Lot Sixty One Coffee, Piadina Caffe, No.43, Gugar Hangout and Bar.
The ferry boats depart regularly from the Grand Harbour, which can be reached by using the lift from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
The ferries take a few minutes to get to the Three Cities and cost around €2 - it’s advised to carry exact change with you.
You can also benefit from buying one of the tallinja travel cards, some of which you can use for this type of ferry. Ferry passengers can enjoy some stunning panoramic views from the top deck on clear days. You will reach Bormla. You can walk on the embankment up to Birgu, or cross the bridge to Isla.
Alternatively, there are also some water taxis available to Birgu, which have space for less passengers and therefore offer a more intimate travelling experience. You would need exact change (€2). If you choose the water taxis, you will reach Birgu.
Must-see sites:
Inquisitor’s Palace
Fort St Angelo
Maritime Museum
There are many restaurants at The Three Cities, some of our favourites are:
Tal-Petut, Terrone (seafood), Cafe Riche in Birgu, Hammett’s Macina in Isla.
Our old capital City, Mdina, boasts panoramic views of Malta. Exploring this fortified city on foot is the way to go as you walk through winding roads through history. Rabat, the adjacent town, once formed part of Mdina as a provincial township under Roman rule.
Must-see sites:
Roman Villa
Catacombs
Various monasteries
St Paul’s Grotto
Restaurants: Fontanella, Don Mesquita, De Mondion, Coogi’s, Il-Baxa Cafe Bar, Crystal Palace (or better known as is-Serkin) for pastizzi.
Marsaxlokk is one of Malta’s picturesque fishing villages, with a port full of luzzu, Maltese traditional fishing boats. A peaceful village, Marsaxlokk is popular for it’s Sunday open market, its selection of the finest fish on the island, and the wonderful walks on the promenade close to the sea.
Restaurants: Seafood - Rising Sun, Ta’ Victor, Tartarun.
Our sister island, Gozo (Għawdex in Maltese), boasts beautiful countryside, tranquil village-life, and picturesque seascapes. It is just a ferry-ride away, either from Valletta or Ċirkewwa.
Must-see sites
Citadella and Rabat (Victoria)
Marsalforn Salt pans
Ġgantija Temples
Collage Art by Fabio D'Amato
