Camping is a much-debated topic. Some argue that it's one of the most relaxing activities you can ever experience while others dread even the thought of spending a single night out in the open. One thing's for certain though, Malta's climate and landscape are ideal for anyone who relates with the former or anyone aspiring to join them.

So where can and should you camp in Malta? What are the essentials you need to pack? And what about camping gear? Don't worry, you'll find all the information you require for a relaxing break out in nature below.

Camping Equipment for Camping in Malta

Before you set off on this new exciting journey, you need to make sure you've got all the camping gear you need to have an enjoyable and comfortable camping trip. There are many camping stores in Malta from where you can buy top-quality equipment so we cannot really list them all in this article. However, you can find some of the best ones here. 

What we can list though, is essential camping equipment and essentials you should add to your shopping list - starting with the most important one!

Camping Tent

Tents come in a range of sizes so that's really up to you. What's really important is to invest in one that is completely waterproof. Since Malta is one humid island you don't want your tent to turn into a splash pool overnight. It also gets super windy in Malta, so make sure your camping tent comes with pegs and rope. We suggest staying away from pop-up tents and getting a well-protected tent with poles that will stay dry and stay put.

Sleeping Bag or Mat

The second most vital camping gear is the sleeping bag of course. We suggest getting a nice thick thermal sleeping bag that will help fight the bone-aching cold from the humid nights during the autumn and winter months. Alternatively, if you plan to camp only in spring and summer then don't even bother getting a sleeping bag because your tent will be feeling like a greenhouse already. Just get a sleeping or yoga mat, and you'll be fine.

Lamp

A lamp is very useful to have, and NO, your phone's flashlight isn't enough! Trust me it will be a godsend, especially when you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and walk through pitch black.

Other than that it is really up to you what other camping equipment you want to buy, depending on how you wish to spend your camping trip. You can get camping chairs if you plan to spend most of the time sitting at the campsite and a camping toilet together with a camping shower if you aren't comfortable going straight to nature when it calls.

As for what you should pack, here's a list of must-haves:

• Toilet paper
• Garbage bags
• Mosquito repellent
• LOADS of water… and food

Now let's move on to where you can go.

Campsites in Malta

There are multiple camping spots scattered across different sides of our beautiful island. Campsites are ideal for anyone just starting to explore camping in Malta since they are easily accessible, and offer a guaranteed spot where you can set up. They also come with bathrooms on-site so you don't have to worry about walking for 30 minutes to make sure you're out of sight when nature calls. Here's a list of all the private campsites in Malta you should check out: 

• Ghajn Tuffieha Campsite
• Zurrieq Scout Group Campsite
• Mosta Scouts Campsite & Activity Centre
• The Vortex - Vincent's Eco Estate in Mgarr

All you need to do is get in contact with your preferred campsite and book a spot for a small fee that covers the costs of bathroom & shower services as well as water and electricity used on site.

If you have already visited these campsites in Malta, you can also find a campsite in Gozo, Ruby's Campsite, located on the outskirts of Marsalforn overlooking scenic sea views. 

Alternatively, you can opt for a Comino camping trip and chance a camping spot at the Tal-Ful camping grounds which are free of charge, as they fall under the wing of the government Environment & Resource Authority.

Wild Camping in Malta

If you want to get the full camping experience, meaning no electricity, no bathrooms and being completely cut off alone in nature, then your options are quite limited as wild camping in Malta is strictly forbidden. This has been a heated topic among the public and environmental entities due to a range of problems including reckless open fires and mindless littering which has seen an increase in regular patrolling over the years.

Some still take the risk and hide somewhere where patrollers are less likely to spot them but you can never know what might happen, and the fines aren't cheap! So we couldn't advise more against it.

Thankfully there is one area in Mellieha you could get a camping permit for, however. This is the Armier campsite, more famously known as the Ahrax campsite which offers the closest opportunity to wild camping in Malta. Some words of advice though — camp during weekdays here as the area is flooded with large groups of people on the weekends, especially if the sun is out.

Speaking of abiding by rules, let's go into general camping etiquette, shall we?

General Camping Rules

There are a set of rules that every camper should abide by out of respect for the environment, the people who they're sharing the camping spot with and those who will come after. They are 3 very simple rules (though many people seem to find them super hard to follow apparently).

• No open fires unless authorised by the campsite keeper.
• Trash goes in the bin. Try to leave the place cleaner than you found it.
• No obnoxiously loud music during the night especially when you are camping close to other campers.

Though there is one more which is more of a suggestion than a rule — switch off all technology so you don't risk spending the whole trip looking down at your screen and missing all the beauty around you.

Now you are fully prepared for your first-ever camping trip. So go off and enjoy this time with nature, whether you choose Malta, Gozo or Comino it doesn't really matter. You're bound to have a relaxing and revitalising break.

For more articles like this check out our Activities Tips section.