What is the one thing people forget when packing for Malta?

Water shoes. The full list of common misses is above.

Do I have to work from a generic list?

No, and it is better not to. Holiday Board builds your packing list from your own plans: whatever you said to bring, plus whatever you said you are wearing, with duplicates merged into one line.

Can everyone in the group have their own list?

Yes. Each traveller gets their own list and their own ticks. One person packing their passport does not mark off anyone else's.

What to pack for Malta

Malta catches people out in three specific ways: most of the coast is rock rather than sand, the churches enforce a dress code, and the summer sun is stronger than the temperature suggests.

Pack for those three things and the rest is a normal Mediterranean holiday.

Clothing

Swimwear, at least two sets so one is always dry
Light linen or cotton for daytime heat
Something covering shoulders and knees for churches
One smarter evening outfit for Valletta or a booked dinner
A light layer for boats and evenings, particularly in shoulder season

Footwear

Water shoes for rocky swimming spots, which is most of them
Comfortable walking shoes for Valletta and Mdina, both of which are hilly and cobbled
Flip flops or sliders for the pool and the beach

Water shoes are the item people most regret leaving behind here.

Sun and toiletries

High factor sun cream, more than you think
After sun
A hat with a brim
Sunglasses
Reef-safe cream if you are swimming off the boats

Essentials

Passport, and a photo of it stored separately
Boarding passes or booking references
Travel insurance details
Bank cards, plus one kept somewhere separate
Any prescription medication in its original packaging
Phone charger and a plug adapter if needed

Worth having

A refillable water bottle
A dry bag for boat trips
Some euro cash for kiosks and boat operators
A portable battery for long days out

Things specific to Malta

Church dress codes are real

St John's Co-Cathedral and most parish churches require shoulders and knees covered. A large scarf in your day bag solves it without carrying a second outfit around all day.

The coast is rock, not sand

Golden Bay and Mellieha are sandy, but the swimming spots most people actually end up at are rocky ledges and ladders. Water shoes turn an uncomfortable scramble into an easy swim.

Boat trips need their own small bag

A Comino day means sun cream, water, a towel, ID and something dry to change into. It is a different bag from your beach bag and worth packing the night before.

Most commonly forgotten

Water shoes
Something to cover shoulders
A dry bag
Enough sun cream
Cash for the boat

Build your own list instead of copying this one

A generic packing list does not know what you are doing on the Tuesday. Yours does.

On Holiday Board, whatever you attach to a plan as a bring item, and whatever outfit you pick for it, turns up on your personal packing list automatically. Sunscreen wanted by three different days appears once and tells you which three. Tick it off as you pack, and what you tick is yours alone.

How the packing list works

Questions

What is the one thing people forget when packing for Malta?: Water shoes. The full list of common misses is above.
Do I have to work from a generic list?: No, and it is better not to. Holiday Board builds your packing list from your own plans: whatever you said to bring, plus whatever you said you are wearing, with duplicates merged into one line.
Can everyone in the group have their own list?: Yes. Each traveller gets their own list and their own ticks. One person packing their passport does not mark off anyone else's.

Let the holiday write your packing list

Plan what you are doing and what to bring. The list is waiting for you the night before you fly.

Create your Holiday Board

Free to start. No card needed. £6.99 per holiday if you want the lot.