# Shopping and souvenirs in Malta

> From markets to malls in Valletta, here is what to buy and which souvenirs are worth it in Malta.

From markets to malls in Valletta, here is what to buy and which souvenirs are worth it in Malta.

## Stay online while you explore

For maps, bookings, translation and Instagram photos, a MerrSIM eSIM for Malta (from €1.49, 10 GB €8.99) keeps you online from the start — no roaming, no physical SIM.

[MerrSIM — eSIM Malta](https://merrsim.com/destinations/esim-plans-for-malta)

## Activation in a few minutes

Do the install before departure, while on WiFi. Open your phone settings, choose to add an eSIM and scan the QR code you received by email. Label the profile “Malta” so it is easy to spot. When you land, set the eSIM as your data line and switch on data roaming for it — that is normal for travel eSIMs and adds no fees, because the plan is prepaid. Within seconds you are online, with no need to hunt for public WiFi.

## How an eSIM works

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone: there is no physical card to insert. You buy it online, get a QR code by email and scan it in your settings. Once installed, the profile lives on your phone and activates when you reach Malta, connecting automatically to a local partner network. You can keep your main SIM at the same time, so your number still gets calls and texts while the eSIM handles data.

## Tips to save data

A few small habits make your gigabytes last in Malta. Download Google Maps offline before you head out, set video quality to “Auto” or 480p, and turn off background app refresh. Use hotel WiFi for big updates and high-resolution photo uploads. With these steps, even a modest plan covers the whole trip, and your hotspot stays free for the moments you really need it.

## eSIM versus roaming

Roaming with your home carrier can be expensive outside bundles — sometimes several euros per gigabyte, with bills that land after the trip. A local eSIM turns that into a fixed price you know up front: you pay in advance, you know exactly how many GB you have, and there are no hidden fees. For a trip to Malta, that means peace of mind and often a real saving compared with leaving roaming switched on unchecked.

## Does your phone support eSIM?

Before you buy, check two things. First, the phone must be eSIM-compatible: iPhone XR/XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and many recent Motorola, Huawei and Oppo models. Second, it must be carrier-unlocked. You can verify by dialling *#06# — if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. This saves you any surprises when you arrive in Malta.

## FAQ

### How do I stay online in Malta?
Get a MerrSIM eSIM for Malta from €1.49 (10 GB €8.99), activate by QR before departure and connect automatically.


---
Author: Etnik Beqiri  
Published: 2026-05-29  
Source: https://merrsim.com/en/blog/pazar-malta-en