If you have ever had the desire to travel sustainably in Malta, this post will show you three ways to reach this goal in one of the most beautiful travel destinations!
Despite being one of the world’s smallest countries, Malta has an extremely rich history and culture, not to mention stunning coastlines and marine life. Now that overseas travel is becoming accessible again, it’s more important than ever to preserve the natural beauty of places like this.
But what does sustainable travel in Malta involve? Here are some pointers to keep in mind.
Getting Around
Before booking a rental car, why not look into more sustainable ways of traveling around? There is a frequent public bus service to most parts of the island, which is not only greener but also a cheaper way of getting around. For instance, going from the airport to the tourist haven of St.Julians costs under €3 (and takes less than an hour!).
With Malta’s landmass covering just 320 km², you can also walk to many places. If you’re staying in the northern-eastern area of St.Julians, for example, it’s easy to take a stroll along the seafront to the neighboring town of Sliema.
Or if you’re in the north of the island, like Bugibba and St.Paul’s Bay, there are plenty of places to explore on foot along the promenade.
Another brilliant way of traveling more sustainably is to go by sea. Ferries to Gozo run frequent crossings to the island, getting you there in about 20 minutes. And if you’re keen to see Sliema, Valletta, and the Three Cities, there are also regular water taxis back and forth across the bay.
Things to do to travel sustainably in Malta
Sustainable travel means not only how you get somewhere, but also what you do when you are there. Enhance your experience by taking the time to appreciate the country’s culture. It’s true that when you think of Malta, the first thing that may come to mind is the sun and sea.
But the island has far more to offer. Did you know that Malta is home to three UNESCO heritage sites? There’s plenty of opportunity for travelers to see places of historical and cultural significance, as well as other areas of natural beauty.
That being said, if you’re in Malta in summer, you’ll probably want to enjoy the warm weather and beaches too. Malta is surrounded by both rocky and sandy beaches, twelve of which have been given Blue Flag status for sustainability. So why not head off on the bus to spend the day basking in the sunshine?
Just don’t forget to clean up after yourself as you travel sustainably in Malta. Make use of the beach litter bins, as well as the ballot bins found on many sandy beaches in Malta and Gozo.
These were installed to encourage beachgoers to dispose of cigarette butts and bottle tops respectfully, in a bid to protect marine life.
Food and Drink
Since the locals don’t drink tap water, it’s best to avoid this yourself too. But throwing away countless plastic water bottles isn’t exactly the most eco-friendly thing to do. So perhaps invest in a reusable water bottle with a water filter before your trip.
That way you can fill it up with water on the move – you’ll certainly need it in the summer heat – without a guilty conscience. If you do end up with a plastic bottle collection, however, you could try one of the newly launched ‘reverse vending machines’ on the island, where you earn money back on recycled plastics.
But sustainable travel also extends to the dinner table. Try the Maltese cuisine at a family-run restaurant instead of a global chain. Or why not pick up a snack from a local cafe or shop at a mini-market rather than a supermarket? You’ll also find vans dotted around the island selling fresh fruit and vegetables.
They’re usually tastier and cheaper than supermarket produce, and as everything’s sourced locally, you won’t add to your carbon footprint.
On a trip to Malta, it’s hard not to fall in love with the island’s interesting culture and natural beauty. But it’s important to remember to travel sustainably in Malta so that future generations will have the chance to fall in love with it too.
*This is a contributed post, all images owned by jetsetandforget, unsplash.com, pexels.com and pixabay.com