Malta?

jeffgeorge

Hi all,

I have just booked a holiday to Malta April 27th this year.

Staying in Dolmen resort in St Pauls bay.

Anyone been to Malta? Is it large, difficult to get about ect?

Any advice. I have read online but sometimes its nice to hear experiences from people.


Thanks and good day vibes


xxx

ivinsp

Are you planning on renting a car or traveling via bus/taxi etc?

headpin

Malta is a nice Island and a bonus is that they all speak English. We went in May a couplke of years ago and the weather was awful, cold and windy with some rain. This, we were told is not typical and in fact we were probably experiencing worse may weather in 50 years!!

We hired a car, they also drive on the left like us. It's not a huge island but is a lot easier to get around and quicker too. There is a very good bus service, with some of the buses being relics from 1950's Britain. Most buses originate from the bus station in Valetta, the capital.

Our view was that although there is modernisation going on Malta is still very much a lost mid 20th century place.

You can probably do most if not all of the tourist attractions in a week or so. Get a decent guide book (The DK Top 10 guides we find are excellent and not to cumbesome for carrying around)

Personnally I would recommend going over to GOZO. It retains more of the traditional Maltese charms than the Malta itself. If you hire a car you can take it over on the ferry. It's pretty cheap and only takes about 30 mins.

If you are in to history there is a lot to see and do. The Crusades feature highly, as does WW II. As most people probably know Malta was awarded the George Cross following the siege by the Germans and especially the Luftwaffe and the terrible conditions endured by the islanders'. By holding out against the likely German invasion it eventually meant the Allies could invade Scilliy and also allowed a stronger presence in the Med generally.

There are also some very good restaurants if you steer away from the usual "full english" delights. In particular there was an excellent restaurant almost next door to the pub where the actor Oliver Reed died in Valetta. (I think he was filming Gladiator with Mel Gibson at the time.) It's to the right facing the pub. Cannot recall the name, but it is only very small and you may need to book.

There is also the Popeye set that was used for the version starring Robin Williams. We never went but have been told that it is worth a visit. I believ its a bit like a them park. Didn't appeal to us though.
Even with the unusually poor weather we enjoyed it and I'm sure you will.

FYI - We hired our car through Unicar (http://www.unicarmalta.com/). As well as offering the best value for the type of vehiclethat we wanted, their service was second to none. We were personally met at the Airport, after signing the renatl agreement and swiping the card,their rep took us to the car in the car park helped us in with the luggage and off we went. Returned the car to the same car park, returned keys to car park hut and that was it. the car was in excellent condition and at that time the fuel policy was whatever you wanted it to be.

The_Shiners

Been 3 times and always had a good time, although last trip was 10 years ago. Plenty of historic places to go and scenic views if you're into that sort of thing. Area you are staying is busy but not roudy. There is a very good bus service that goes to all areas of the island, Mdina, Valletta and the harbour tour are a must do. Fares are (were) cheap. If you want to go to Gozo, best way is to hire a car for the day.
Also try to get to a firework festival, do not book with your holiday tour operator, much cheaper booking with tour offices in town.

glenn77

Went on our first family holiday abroad here 2 yrs ago and liked it so much we went again last year. Stayed in Melehia bay which has an excellent beach.My advice to get around is use the bus service - excellent - buy a day travel ticket and you can go anywhere on the island all day just hop on and off - otherwise single trips are very cheap if you are not going to go to so many places - some buses are more expensive depending on the zones you go through- it is easy and good fun to plan your routes. Food - quite a cheap place to eat out - restaurant prices are good if you look around - we paid about 6- 7 euros for a good pizza and other dishes similarly priced so about 25-35 euros for a family (4) meal with a drink was about our average.
Places to see - well loads - some that we particularly enjoyed -Valleta the capital is a great place - go to the upper and lower gardens to see the harbour - a view you will never forget or tire of, also explore all the little streets and shops, go to St Johns cathederal - amazing place and very cheap to go in.
Mdina and Rabat - the walled city is beautiful - the cafe on the walls is fairly priced too - Rabat you have to go in the catacombs.
Go to Mosta to the great domed church -beautiful building. We were lucky enough to be here on Festa day - has to be seen to be believed - the locals really put on a show.
Dingli cliffs - well worth the bus ride out - one of the nicest (if not remotest) places to sit for a while.
Gozo is a must - the ferry is dead cheap - about 15 euros for a family (3 adults 1 child) - go round the citadel - the capital is small but interesting - definately go to the Azure window - loads of tourists but what a place to see -go swimming in the natural pools there - a great day out.
Hope this helps

Wish we were going again this year but its camping in the Yorkshire dales for us

jammin_2

Heinz will buy all the tomatoes Gozo can produce, for use in their tomato ketchup.

elsien

We've never bothered hiring a car as the buses got us everywhere we wanted to. We got the bus /ferry to Gozo, spent the day there (buses again) then back on the evening ferry.
I prefer finding my own way round especially somewhere so easy, as if you pay for the island tour you're generally herded back on the bus shortly after arriving at a place, so they can fit in the obligatory souvenir visit!

jammin_2

The Maltese people are a very friendly bunch.

rafter_2

I was in Malta last week, 1st time I had been. Had no trouble getting around on the buses, very frequent and cheap, most fares are 47cents and the direct buses that dont go from/to Valetta are 116cents. list of routes are here - http://www.atp.com.mt/atp/servlet/ControllerServlet?action=listWinterBusRoutes I printed the routes out before I went but you should be able to get a free timetable from the main terminals. Those buses are an experience in themselves lol. The only time I wished I had a car was when I went over to Gozo as the bus service isnt as frequent etc but was ok.

jammin_2

You must visit Mġarr. Why was the dome shaped like an egg?

deegee999

We got a weekly bus ticket €14 each. We did most of the island, went to all the places the coach trips went & had more time as Elsein says.