Anyone been to Malta ?

loved it, been a few times but the best trip of all was a saga archaeology holiday, we explored catacombs amongst other places. Such an historical ancient place, much more than you see on the surface in the tourist towns

Malta is the only place I have ever been that I don't want to go back to. I found it overcrowded, noisy, lacking scenery and greenery. It's far too built up for my taste. I will add though that the hotel we stayed in was superb. I wish I could remember the name of it.

Serendipity22

Ohhhh THANK YOU.

Wow, it was Sliema that we are booked in !!! Ohhhh heck !

Valletta, I have heard that its beautiful and yes the lady at the travel agents said about tours.

1 problem is I will have a wheelchair with me and wondered about public transport. As I understand it, there is a ferry to Valletta that we want to take. The beach is not a problem because we are too busy sightseeing, but thank you for the feedback on the beach.

Thank you for all your comments, much appreciated.

Lots of ferries and you will have a good view of Valletta from Sliema anyway. There are boat trips easily available too so you can get good views of the island from the sea.
There are plenty of buses especially from Sliema and all should be accessible with a wheelchair now. The roads have improved too!

Mdina is fascinating, the Church at Mosta , St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta are all worth a visit.

It depends what you want from a holiday, some people want sun loungers and beaches, others love exploring and history.
We tend to do a mix, one day exploring, the next relaxing!

Don’t worry too much about it, people have very different views on the places they visit. But you are on holiday so enjoy!

I have just seen your update about having a wheelchair, so I just wanted to add (although you may already know this) Valletta is very hilly. There are small roads leading from the seafront to the town and I seem to remember that the pavements are very narrow.

Ohhh thank you very much for the information JenniferEccles.

Thank you Callistemon21.

We enjoyed it so much we went three times. Husband wanted to experience the old yellow buses. They've gone now and modern buses have taken their place. Most locals speak english which is a bonus.

We spent a holiday there with our 2 daughters in the late 70s so it has probably changed a lot since then. We stayed in a very nice appartment.
Main memories - very hot, much interesting history, strange language (lots of xes} and lovely beaches.
We hired a boat, sailed to Gozo, swam next to the boat in the Med hanging onto a rope. Poor younger daughter was stung by a jellyfish.
I got the idea to go there from my Dad who had been there in the RN during the war and told me how bravely they had defended the island from the nazis.

I lived there for a couple of years 62\63 and loved it. Daresay it has changed hugely commercially, and rightly so, but the basic structure and delightful sea based fun opportunities will not. Look for the good and you will find it. I sincerely hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

I lived there for a seven months or so 50+ years ago. Older DD was born there and three year old son learnt to swear there. DH said some words are international .

I loved it then but when we took both daughters back for a holiday to celebrate eldest’s 18th birthday, I felt that it had changed a lot. Nevertheless I’d like to go back and visit again.

Have a lovely time, Serendipity22

Malta was always known as a marmite place. I knew people who loved it and those who didn’t.
We went to Valetta as part of a cruise and was told to get up early to see the sun rising on the town, they were right it was quite stunning. Medina was fascinating, the grand harbour very grand and quite Venetian as I recall. We had a lovely day tour and saw a lot. I liked it very much but if you want sandy beaches it’s probably not fir you. Maybe that’s why it got the marmite thing.
I would definitely go again, full of history, lots to see and friendly people.

We enjoyed our week in Malta - a bit further up the coast from Sliema, about 4 years ago. We used to walk across the headland (built up) to get the ferry from Sliema to Valletta because the buses were always full to bursting. We enjoyed the history and found the people friendly and helpful.

We really enjoyed our holiday in Malta, especially the boat trips and Valletta. It's a small island and we travelled round, so I'm not sure we'd go again, but I must say the people were probably the most friendly and helpful we've ever come across on holiday. Have a wonderful holiday!

We loved the ancient history- particularly Ġgantija on Gozo where the neolithic temples are older than the pyramids. They are small and fairly "bare" but found just being there - where ancient people once worshipped - was quite moving.

I think there will be plenty to see.
Have a lovely break.

Yes, it’s a lovely place. Valletta is lovely. Can get a trip to Gozo, just short distance away. Whatever you do please DO NOT stay at Blue Sea Valletta apartments!!!

Ohhhh lots of posts about how friendly the people are which is 1 thing I am concerned about with having to take a w/chair, I was thinking I hope people there done look at me either pushing it or sat in it and have very little patience. So THAT is more important to me than a sandy beach haha... THANK YOU....

Malta used to be a british colony so I assume still appreciates British protection.

We loved the ancient history- particularly Ġgantija on Gozo where the neolithic temples are older than the pyramids.

Yes, it's fascinating, well worth a visit.

Malta has a really interesting history, it's well worth reading up on it before you go.

Ive been twice, the first time we went it was September and we took the children out of school for a week, we stayed at the Golden Sands Bay Hotel which was a little out of the way but did have a nice beach (one of the few) We hired a car and got out and about to some nice places, we went to the Blue Lagoon and had a boat ride and caught the ferry over to Gozo which was lovely, visited Valetta etc. the people we met were very friendly & helpful.
The second time was some years later in August as I was now stuck with school hols, we stayed in an apartment in Bugibba for two weeks. We didn’t bother hiring a car the second time and used the old buses to get around which was an experience. We enjoyed it both times but unfortunately on our second visit our apartment was robbed which put the dampers on things. Apparently this had happened to a lot of people around that time.
I’ve been to much better places but its ok and I’d consider going back to see what it’s like now. The flight times not bad, it has a good climate & some interesting places to see so worth a visit imo. Hope you have a great time.

We've been twice, once with our daughter (30 at the time) and younger son, and once with my parents. We all enjoyed it and my husband is keen to go again.
My son is taking his girlfriend there in July, he's always wanted to go back.

Loads of great restaurants but be warned the portions are large! We heard people order one main course and ask for two plates, to share. The waiters seemed quite happy with that.
I also learned not to order a starter as the waiters always brought us a complimentary plate anyway.

We enjoyed Mdina, Valletta and the Blue Lagoon.
We stayed in a hotel apartment on St George's Bay in the St Julian's area.
There were open-top buses which did sightseeing routes but I don't know if they'd suit your needs?

There was a lot of development work going on, lots of cranes, and a guy called Hugo seemed to have his name on a lot of local businesses.

We didn't hire a car but I've read driving on Malta is not for the fainthearted!

V3ra yes, i was thinking about the open top tourist bus.

Thank you

V3ra

We've been twice, once with our daughter (30 at the time) and younger son, and once with my parents. We all enjoyed it and my husband is keen to go again.
My son is taking his girlfriend there in July, he's always wanted to go back.

Loads of great restaurants but be warned the portions are large! We heard people order one main course and ask for two plates, to share. The waiters seemed quite happy with that.
I also learned not to order a starter as the waiters always brought us a complimentary plate anyway.

We enjoyed Mdina, Valletta and the Blue Lagoon.
We stayed in a hotel apartment on St George's Bay in the St Julian's area.
There were open-top buses which did sightseeing routes but I don't know if they'd suit your needs?

There was a lot of development work going on, lots of cranes, and a guy called Hugo seemed to have his name on a lot of local businesses.

We didn't hire a car but I've read driving on Malta is not for the fainthearted!

Sadly Hugo Chetcuti, whose name you saw on several establishments, was murdered about three years ago when he was stabbed by a former employee.?

We love it. Had numerous visits, when my health allowed. We saw it transform over the years to a thriving, modern place. However, I did love the fact that initially, we felt we had gone back in time.
We especially liked Gozo. I would go back in a minute!
DH is a military, history buff, he was in heaven!