Welcome Delegates · June 2026

Welcome to
Malta

Valletta · A UNESCO World Heritage City

1 June 2026 Arrivals & Welcome Reception
2 June 2026 EuroPris 15th AGM
3 & 4 June 2026 CoE CDPPS Conference
A Warm Welcome

Merħba f'Malta
Welcome to Malta

We are delighted to welcome you to the island of Malta for what promises to be an outstanding series of events. The Correctional Services Agency of Malta is honoured to host both the 15th EuroPris Annual General Meeting and the Council of Europe Annual Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services (CDPPS).

Malta, one of the Mediterranean's smallest and most storied nations, offers a uniquely welcoming environment for dialogue and collaboration. Our historic capital, Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage City, will serve as the backdrop for your discussions on the strategic development of European prison and probation services.

This page has been prepared to ensure your arrival and stay is as smooth and comfortable as possible. Please read through the practical information and do not hesitate to contact our dedicated conference helpline at any time.

We look forward to welcoming you in person at the opening reception on the evening of Monday, 1 June 2026, marking the occasion of EuroPris's 15-year anniversary. Merħba!

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Conference Venue & Hotel
Hotel Excelsior, Valletta
Great Siege Road, Floriana, Malta
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Host Organisation
Correctional Services Agency
of Malta (CSA)
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Language
English & Maltese
English is widely spoken across the island
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Currency
Euro (€)
ATMs widely available; cards accepted everywhere
Time Zone
CEST — UTC+2
Central European Summer Time in June
☀️
Weather in June
Warm & sunny · 26–30°C
Low humidity; light layers recommended for evenings
Programme at a Glance

Your Days in Valletta

This is a provisional programme. The full and detailed programme will be available via a QR code included in your conference name tag, which you will receive at the reception desk.

Monday, 1st June: Arrivals
  • All day
    Delegates arrive at Malta International Airport
    Airport is approximately 10 km south of Valletta. See transport information below.
  • 18:30
    Welcome Reception: EuroPris 15th Anniversary Celebration
    Hosted by EuroPris and the Correctional Services Agency of Malta · Meet at 18:30 at the Hotel Excelsior lobby, or meet at the venue at 19:00 · MICAS — Malta International Contemporary Art Space
Tuesday, 2 June: EuroPris AGM
  • Full day
    EuroPris 15th Annual General Meeting
    A strategic forum for Directors General and their deputies from EuroPris member services to review the 2025 Annual and Financial Reports and agree priorities for 2026–2027. The agenda features parallel workshops on drug policy and new scanning technologies, overcrowding and the policy role of prison services, and lessons from Ukraine, alongside governance matters, board elections, and the 2026 Prison Achievement Award. Venue: Hotel Excelsior, Valletta
  • 18:30
    Departure from Hotel Excelsior to Mediterranean Conference Centre
    CSA host dinner for participants from the EuroPris AGM and Council of Europe CDPPS
Wednesday 3 & Thursday 4 June: CoE CDPPS
  • Full days
    Council of Europe: Annual Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services (CDPPS)
    Excelsior - Valletta, Malta
Arrival & Transport

Getting from the Airport
to the Hotel

Malta International Airport (MLA) is located in Luqa, approximately 10 km south of Valletta. All delegates arrive here. The Hotel Excelsior is a short walk from Valletta's main bus terminus in Floriana.

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Public Bus: TD4

The TD4 Airport Direct bus departs from the bus stop directly outside the Arrivals terminal exit. It connects the airport to Valletta in approximately 25 minutes. The Valletta bus terminus is a short, flat walk to the Hotel Excelsior in nearby Floriana.

Buses run roughly every 30 minutes. Pay contactlessly by card or phone onboard, or purchase a ticket at the Malta Public Transport kiosk in the Arrivals hall. Download the Tallinja app for real-time timetables.

From €2.50 per journey (summer rate)
📱 Tallinja App
🗺️ Google Maps
🚕
Official White Taxis

Official white taxis are available 24/7 from the taxi rank directly outside Arrivals. For a fixed fare, pay at the official taxi desk inside the Arrivals hall before proceeding to the queue. Your ticket is handed to the first driver. No app required.

Fixed fare €17 airport to Valletta
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Hotel Excelsior: Walking from the Bus Terminus The Valletta bus terminus (City Gate area) is in Floriana, adjacent to Valletta's city walls. The Hotel Excelsior on Great Siege Road is approximately a 5 to 8 minute walk from there. It is flat and well-signposted.
Practical Information

Good to Know Before You Arrive

A few essentials to help you settle in quickly and make the most of your time in Malta.

🗳️ Election Notice
Important Notice for All Delegates
Maltese General Election — 30 May 2026

On 27 April 2026, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that the Maltese general election will take place on 30 May 2026. Delegates should expect public festivities by the winning parties on Sunday evening and all day Monday. There will be more traffic than usual during this period. Delegates not staying at the Hotel Excelsior are strongly advised to plan their travel in advance, as journeys will take considerably longer than normal.

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Electricity
230V / 50Hz
UK-style 3-pin plug (Type G)
Adaptors available at the airport
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Connectivity
EU roaming applies for EU delegates. Malta has excellent 4G/5G coverage. Free Wi-Fi available at the hotel and airport.
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Driving
Left-hand traffic
(like the UK)
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are strongly preferred.
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Pharmacy / Chemist
Widely available across Malta. Dial 145 to locate the nearest 24-hour pharmacy.
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Hospital
Mater Dei Hospital
+356 2545 0000
Msida (10 min from Valletta)
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Dress Code
Smart / business formal for all conference sessions and the welcome reception. Light clothing is comfortable for evenings outdoors in June.
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Entry Requirements
Malta is an EU Schengen member. EU/EEA nationals need a valid ID or passport. Non-EU delegates should verify visa requirements with their national embassy.
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Currency & Cash
Euro (€). ATMs are plentiful. Credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Buses accept contactless card payment.
Emergency & Safety

Important Contact Numbers

Save these numbers on your phone before you arrive. Emergency operators in Malta speak English and Maltese. 112 is the single EU-wide emergency number and can be dialled from any mobile, even without a SIM card.

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All Emergencies (EU)
112
Police · Ambulance · Fire
Free · Works on any mobile
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Ambulance (Direct)
196
Emergency Medical Services
👮
Police HQ
+356 2122 4001
Non-emergency inquiries
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Mater Dei Hospital
+356 2545 0000
Malta's main public hospital
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24-hr Pharmacy Locator
145
Find nearest open chemist
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CSA Conference Helpline
+356 7734 2168
Available 24 hours  ·  Dedicated to this conference only
Exploring Malta

For Those Arriving Early
or Staying Longer

Malta is one of Europe's most captivating destinations, rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. If your schedule allows, here are some highlights within easy reach of Valletta.

  • 🏰
    Valletta
    Europe's smallest capital and a UNESCO World Heritage City. Walk the fortified walls, visit St. John's Co-Cathedral, and explore the Upper Barrakka Gardens with sweeping views of the Grand Harbour.
  • Mdina, the Silent City
    Malta's ancient walled capital, perched on a hill. Car-free and atmospheric, it dates back over 4,000 years. About 20 minutes from Valletta by bus or taxi.
  • 🌊
    Blue Lagoon, Comino
    Crystal-clear turquoise waters between Malta and Gozo. Reached by ferry from various points. Ideal for a half-day trip. Best visited earlier in the day to beat the crowds.
  • ⛴️
    Gozo Island
    Malta's quieter sister island, greener, slower, and full of character. The Ggantija Temples are among the world's oldest freestanding structures (3600 BC). Ferry from Ċirkewwa takes 25 minutes.
  • 🏛️
    Megalithic Temples
    Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, UNESCO-listed prehistoric temples on Malta's southern coast, older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids.
  • 🍽️
    Maltese Cuisine
    Try pastizzi (flaky savoury pastries), rabbit stew (fenek), ftira (Maltese bread), and fresh local fish.
CSA 24-Hour Conference Helpline
+356 7734 2168
Available day and night throughout the conference period. Our team is here to assist with any logistical queries, transport arrangements, or urgent matters.