Any advice for visiting Malta next month?

Nebulous2

We stayed in St Paul's Bay but I would have preferred to stay in Valletta.

Lots to see in Valletta , the harbour area is beautiful and if you are interested in the war it is worth checking some of the museums and sites. What they endured was phenomenal - basically under siege/ blockade with very limited fuel and food for months, but they held out.

Public transport was chaotic. At times we thought we would have been better walking, but the roads were busy with no pavements so we thought the bus was safer. Some of the buses had queues forming 20-30 minutes before they arrived. At least we were simply on holiday - I felt for the people who have to endure it everyday to get to their work.

Lovely place though - great history - we went to catacombs and found them very interesting. Food was great and well-priced.

Three days isn't long, pick a few things, don't make the mistake of trying to do too much.

la531983

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82068773#Comment_82068773

Yes we had the same thought about the buses too, and also have stayed in St Pauls Bay twice (and going back next year)

Tip if you are - rather than going back to the bus station to get the bus back, go and get the public ferry boat across to SIlema. Catch the 212 bus back to Buggiba from outside M&S either straight away or after a mooch round the shops. Less hassle than going battling at the bus terminus.

Emmia

I've been to Malta 4 times, the first time I stayed in Qawra - mistake, spent forever on the bus going to Valletta. The next 3 times I stayed fairly centrally in Valletta.

maman

We stayed near Sliema, actually Balluta Bay, on a street parallel with the sea front. I'd recommend Balluta Bay, a small resort just far enough away from the high rise hotels of St Julien's.

Yes the buses along the seafront had big queues but catching a local bus from the street we were staying in avoided the queues. 👍

Would also second going on the ferry from Sliema to Valletta which drops you off close to the Anglican cathedral.

We found Valletta very walkable to all city sights.

Grumpelstiltskin

Yes use buses, they are so much better than they were when I first went in the early nineties.

Malta can be frustrating at times, I wouldn't advise renting a car, parking can be very difficult.

When you first go into Valletta turn right inside the gate and walk up to the Upper Barraka gardens and look over the harbour, my favourite view in the city.

All the Maltese speak good English don't be afraid to ask for advice.

Albermarle

From Sliema, there are quite a few boat trips. One is a trip around Valetta harbour and you get a good view of the City and some historical sights ( and some posh superyachts). There are also many longer excursions and evening party boats.

You can get open topped buses that do a tour of the historic interior of the island, but probably better in Spring/Autumn due to the heat.

There is a big UK ( and Italian ) influence, and almost everyone speaks fluent English, as well as Maltese and Italian.

For food & drink, all I can remember is that the local lager ( Cisk ) is very cheap, and rabbit is on a lot of menus.

maman

As above, the Italian influence on food means some good Italian restaurants.

Also we had some very tasty Maltese lunchtime snacks rather like pasties.

YellowSupporter

We stayed in Valetta in May, it was hot then and likely much hotter now. We used Bolts and public transport which both worked well. I'd advise considering the neolithic sites - which we loved, but with only 3 days there is a huge amount to chose from. We had a harbour tour which was one of the few bits we didn't enjoy much

desthemoaner

We went to Malta in 2010 and stayed in a beachfront hotel at Sliema. Lovely place which was very welcoming to English visitors, the only slight drawback being the sharks who assailed us as soon as we came out of the hotel, offering "vouchers" for free drinks if we visited this venue or that. It is of course possible to politely decline, but they can be very persistent. They still had the old buses when we went, the ancient jalopies which terminated their journeys at a crazy roundabout in Valletta, but I think they've long gone.

davidr1964

I went to Malta for a week in April. I stayed in Valletta. Lots to see and do there. I went to Gozo on a ferry from Valletta, and I used the bus to visit Mdina and various other places. I bought a week pass for the buses which meant I could hop on and off whenever I wanted. It was all very easy. I did take cash, but not enough. Lots of places preferred - or only accepted - cash.