Where to go in Malta?

Years ago we were part of a group of 21 people who arrived for a holiday in Malta, to find we had all been double booked, and people from Germany given our hotel rooms.

I will never forget the kindness we received from the people of Malta. The whole island helped us find a delightful new place to stay... we were invited to dinner by restauranteurs all over the island and were even entertained on the yacht of a local businessman.

We've been back many times since. The people are wonderful and so is the island. Gozo too.

Valetta is outstanding. Likewise Mdina, Marsaxlokk, Hagar Qim and Ggantija on Gozo.

As for the driving ? There's a local joke that the Maltese drive neither on the left nor the right - but in the shade !

Have a wonderful time !

We really liked Malta when we went there 2 years ago. The capital Valletta is very interesting and you could easily spend 2 days seeing all there is to see there, including sitting outside a cafe people watching. You can also get ferries for a coastal tour. We used the local buses (really cheap) to get around. We went on the ferry to Gozo and when we arrived there got a bus to the town centre for more sightseeing. There are some nice beaches in Malta.

I'm going to pour cold water on Malta I'm afraid. Never been and never would until they stop trapping migrating birds.
Sorry, I know many of you love it.

We stayed at the Radisson Blu, St Julian's (it was ok but in need of updating), but the area was ok. Good bus service to Valetta - lots to see, including the museums, and a good walk around the parapets. We went to Mdina - well worth a visit but it is very hot - you need a sun hat and wear a cover up to avoid sunburn. You can take a boat trip to Gozo and the Blue Grotto. They were having problems with people coming on boats when we were there - not sure if this is still happening. Have a good holiday.

Spent an amazing holiday in Malta visiting all the archaeological sites. The Hypogeum was fascinating as we're all the megalithic temples.
I do realise that it's not everyone's cup of tea but am contributing because you just might find these places fascinating.
Regarding car hire - parking is dreadful in the towns.

I'm with you, AllTheLs. I've never been to Malta and I never will. Friends who went recently were horrified by seeing numerous corpses of slaughtered songbirds, when they went on walks.. ( They were also threatened when they stopped to look at them.) Thede poor songbirds are shot as they migrate. There are laws against this but they are flouted. You may recall that Chris Packham took a stand against the slaughter and ended up in court in Malta himself.

We have been to Malta several times,we love the island and the people,and have been to most of the tourist attractions.My personal favourites are Valetta,for the museums,especially the hospital of the Knights of StJohn,it's down near the fort,my husband likes going to The Bar,where OliverReed frequented and unfortunately died,as there is a a tribute to him with photos etc on the walls.We also loved Gozo,Blue Lagoon,Mdina,and touring around on the buses to the various villlag es.We were fortunate to be there when there was a festival in in one of the villages an
nd there was a procession,followed by fireworks and there were stalls,food etc,very enjoyable.also Hosts some is well worth a visit,.......just enjoy

Instead of hosts ,read Mosta dome!

Nobody seems to have mentioned St John's Co-cathedral - if you are interested in art you must not miss the Caravaggio. We really loved Malta went on the spur of the moment to get some sunshine one February and had to go to their local M&S to buy some summer clothes it was so warm. They now have the old London bendy buses and it is very easy to get around. The people are friendly, they speak English and the food is great. All in all the place to visit,

Malta is beautiful and easy to get around most hotels sell tickets for sightseeing buses which a hop on hop off so you can stay longer in areas you wish to. Valletta is beautiful.

It's not very big we (keen walkers) walked around the whole island in two weeks. There is some very interesting history.

We had an amazing deal with the Radisson Blue Hotel - 5 star luxury overlooking the best sandy beach on the island. An unbelievable £199 for the two of us, with a coach tour of the island thrown in, including lunch and a boat trip. Also 20% discount in their excellent restaurants. The catch? Yes there is one - you have to go along to a 3-hour timeshare presentation. But it's as far removed from the 'nightmare hard sell' that you might imagine. Just a friendly run-through of the benefits of signing up. And it's actually a great deal for retired people, so we may revisit the idea in a few years' time.
As others have said, Mdina, Valetta and Gozo are all on the 'must do' list. The ancient temples (Gargantua? Gigantea?) on Gozo are ruined but are simply awe-inspiring given that they pre-date the pyramids.
St Paul's area is more el cheapo family holiday country - think Southend.
We didn't hire a car but if you're there for a week it would be a good idea. Public transport is cheap and reliable but meanders off-piste down to every tiny village along the route, so it's a great way of seeing the island but a slow way to get from A to B. Local taxis are reasonably price. The other thing I remember doing is the Sunday market at Marsaxxlok or similar. Very pretty harbour with traditional brightly-painted fishing boats. I think to be honest it might be better to go there on a non market day unless you love hustle and bustle.
The Maltese still love the English - you will be made to feel very welcome.
Overall I'd say Malta is like stepping back in time - a bit like the Isle of Wight but warmer!

Can’t add much as all the places I was going to mention have already been mentioned.I liked Valetta the best really,
But Mdina is amazing, and the Blue Grotto worth a trip to cool off.
We hired a car which made things easier as there were four of us.

We stayed in the town of Mellieha, which was quite attractive, and handy for Gozo. Valetta and Mdina a must. We booked a tour of the Hypogeum, but you have to book weeks in advance

We stay at the Radisson Blu at Golden Bay which is a lovely area.
The buses now are brand new and you can go anywhere for €2 just make sure you check the timetables for getting back as they don’t run until very late.
If you like horse riding there is an excellent place near the hotel and they do coastal walks morning and evening.

I am going to Malta and Sicily in May on a tour with Sun Island Tours. They had a very good itinerary that had all the places I wanted to see. You might like to check it out.

Gozo has the most jaw-dropping prehistory - and you can get right up close! (Malta's is in some ways more impressive, but is plasticised for protection.)
I take people for archaeological walks on Gozo when I'm there - the week after next, for instance bounce - if you're interested in outstanding Neolithic remains, fascinating Bronze Age tombs, the odd Phoenician temple, and oh yeah some "modern" Knights Hospitaler stuff - go to Gozo! Everything is accessible either on foot or by public transport, too.
On the mainland, Mdina is lovely. Valetta is quite nice too :P Especially the National Archaeological Museum.

I loved Gozo. Rent a villa and a car. So easy. Beautiful and so friendly. Take a day or two in Malta but if you are looking for a relaxing break we loved Gozo. We stayed in a "one-off" villa with a fabulous pool in Gharb. Everywhere is so easy though as the island is small. Extraordinary temple ruin, churches large and small, swimming off rock or one long sandy beach, the little local market and small bays.
Lots of local craftspeople blowing glass, woodworking, throwing pots...
Got by with a muddle of languages!! Many spoke no English - though it was maybe 12 years ago.
Fond memories.
Great walking!
But other posters are right about the birds... Though they do the same in areas of Spain.

I spent Christmas and New Year in Malta five years ago.
It was very crowded and the weather was awful, which put me off a bit. I'm sure it's better when the weather is good.
Stayed at a lovely hotel in St.Julian, right opposite the Hard Rock Cafe .(I forget the hotel's name).
I did the tourist bus tour of the coast on a very wet day.
It was an open top bus and rain poured down the stairs.
But that must be a great way to see the island when the weather is better.
The hotel had a lovely indoor heated pool where I spent a lot of time. And the hotel really pulled out all the stops to make Christmas Day special.
I agree about the birds though. Don't think I will go there again.

For many years my parents lived in Floriana, near Valletta.
I loved going to stay with them and visiting all the tourist
sights and we used to go to a lovely cafe/restaurant that you could sit outside high up, looking out over the surrounding area in Medina. They served huge slices of chocolate cake
that was the best I’ve ever tasted.
Unfortunately, there was one time they could’nt have me,
so they booked me into a hotel, with a view overlooking the gardens of the presidential palace.
Whilst there I was awoken very early every morning by many gunshot noises.
When I asked what it was, the receptionist told me they were shooting the migrating birds.
I’m afraid it showed me another side of Malta that I found extremely distressing.

Two of us (adults) went to Malta in the eighty's. Much younger then. Not a package and later glad we had only booked a long weekend. Stayed in a five * which was the best part. One thing that stood out, and if you like visiting old churches, there are plenty. Or were.
Do not expect miles of sandy beaches.
We wanted a relaxing stay so did not intend hiring a car for touring around so cannot comment what we might have found other than what we experienced on foot. The cuisine was a mixture and none we could identify as part of that country as you would in Spain,Italy etc. The weather was good, fortunately, so spent a couple of 'boozy' days around the pool and a couple of nights we visited a casino.It is not a country I would revisit. My choice.

We went in 2016 . It's not my most favourite place to visit as it is very built up,was busy and very hot. However it was easy to travel on buses around the island. I write a blog and here is a link to my Malta Diaries if anyone is interested. We did do a lot and I would return but stay in Valleta. This is the first post them keep pressing newer post at the bottom for more.http://cassam-isanyonethere.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/malta-diaries-2016.html

I wouldn't revisit either sarah although we had a reasonably nice holiday. I know this was unfortunate but the apartment we rented, although lovely, was directly above a night club and sleeping on the Friday and Saturday night was impossible.

Magicmaggie Fontanellas? Cakes to die for there! Not at all good for the waistline but very delicious!

We have been to Malta 3 times now in September, so not quite so hot. We like to stay in Sliema and have enjoyed all of the places that have been mentioned already plus Marsaxlokk a lovely fishing village and Rabat for the Catacombs. We also found the buses very easy to use and got all around the Island on them, both the old ones and the last time we went the more modern ones. Enjoy your holiday, we shall definitely be going back again.