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Malta in October

(23 Posts)
Patsy70 Sun 23-Jun-24 16:02:59

I posted last year about my stay in Malta with my daughter-in-law and granddaughter. The comments were mostly.very positive. I’m planning on going again this year in October for a few days, with my OH, as he is very keen. We’re considering staying in an Airbnb in Valletta. I was wondering if anyone else has done this? It would be less restrictive than an hotel, and also less expensive. I know that Bellasnana lives in Malta, so wondered if she would kindly offer her views. Just looking back on the photos is making me excited. 😊

tanith Sun 23-Jun-24 18:15:43

I went to Malta last year in November and had a day out in Valletta on the local bus what a beautiful city and loads to see an Airbnb sounds like a really good idea. Have a lovely time.

keepingquiet Sun 23-Jun-24 18:38:21

Haven't been to Malta but had a great holiday on Gozo- would love to go back. What a unique place.

flappergirl Sun 23-Jun-24 20:49:09

I'm afraid I didn't care for Malta. I did enjoy swimming at Comino though and the 2 days we spent on Gozo which was entirely different.

We decamped from Malta after 2 weeks and took the ferry to Sicily which, admittedly, I know and love.

Patsy70 Mon 24-Jun-24 09:16:50

Thank you Tanith. I’m sure we’ll enjoy it as I loved Malta. We’ve found a delightful Airbnb in the centre of Valletta, with excellent reviews, and intend seeing as much as we can of the island during our short stay.

Marydoll Mon 24-Jun-24 09:35:24

We often went to Malta in the October school week. I am another fan!

I am so envious of your Valletta base. Enjoy!

Tink75 Mon 24-Jun-24 09:38:18

Loved Malta. We went every October for years. Sadly DH died last year. Super happy memories. Easy to get around on the buses. Valletta is lovely so much to see. Wish I was coming with you.

Bellasnana Mon 24-Jun-24 11:03:54

Hello Patsy70, I’ve only just seen this so I do apologise for not having replied.

It seems you are all set and I think Valletta is a great place to stay so hope you have a lovely time.

Ashcombe Mon 24-Jun-24 11:07:08

I have happy memories of visiting Valletta - fascinating history and wonderful architecture. Please let us know how it goes.

NotSpaghetti Mon 24-Jun-24 11:14:17

I also prefer Gozo.
Would personally have a look there.
I have been in late September (years ago) and stayed in a beautiful villa with a pool.

Nandalot Mon 24-Jun-24 11:48:28

It’s not a pretty, pretty island but there is so much history there from prehistoric onwards. We found lots of sites that we could get to by bus. We also loved our visit to the Casa Rocca Piccola
www.visitmalta.com/en/attraction/casa-rocca-piccola/
Of course, there is also the history of the Knights Templar and Malta’s amazing role in the Second World War.
Last October we visited with DD (who was attending a wedding there)and DGC and had a very different holiday with boat trip and snorkelling.
Would happily go again.

Patsy70 Mon 24-Jun-24 11:59:51

Thank you Bellasnana. We haven’t booked yet, and will check flights before doing so. The accommodation looks perfect for a short stay. So sad to hear that Tink75, and thank you for your encouraging comments. We will use the buses and boats to get about, and intend taking a trip to Gozo. I will let you know all about it.

NotSpaghetti Mon 24-Jun-24 15:46:11

If you do go over to Gozo I'd try to stay at least a night overnight - as it's so lovely once the day trips are all done and everyone has gone back to Malta.

Patsy70 Mon 24-Jun-24 16:44:16

I’m actually thinking that if my OH enjoys this holiday, we might go for longer early next year, perhaps April, and maybe stay in Gozo.

sandye Thu 27-Jun-24 12:37:59

I didn't like Malta at all, I found the local quite rude. So cannot offer much advise except don't hire a car as car parking was a nighmare. However Gozo was so nice, I would spend a week there happily

Tanjamaltija Thu 27-Jun-24 12:52:20

I am Maltese [as you can tell from y name] and I live in Malta. We tend to have balmy weather in October, but it has been known to rain and rain, too. @flappergirl, I am wondering why you didn't like Malta - was it where you stayed, or the food, or the nose, or the building sites next door? After all, Sicily is a very very very big Malta. @sandye I hope you do not think that I am rude. Get a bus card. Cheaper than paying all the time. Try the pastizzi at Peristyle in Rabat. Go to the Natural History Museum in Mdina, and to a village, maybe Zabbar or Zejtun. Talk to the locals - we are not all rude, I promise you.

WelshPoppy Thu 27-Jun-24 12:57:01

I loved Malta but we went in an April and nearly got blown off the island, it was so windy. We also went to Spain to look at businesses for sale with a view to moving there and nearly got washed away in the rain. We don't go abroad any more as we feel it's unfair to others who want to enjoy good weather 😂😂

GrandmaLorna Thu 27-Jun-24 15:18:55

We had a week in Malta in May, we stayed in an airbnb in Floriana, which was about 10 mins walk from the centre of Valetta. Valetta is beautiful, I would recommend a visit to the theatre manoel if you have time...its the oldest theatre in Europe and very impressive.
We got everywhere we wanted to go easily on local buses and ferries.

Charleygirl5 Thu 27-Jun-24 16:28:04

It is many years since I last had a holiday in Malta. It was October and the sun shone nearly every day. We loved the food and travelled everywhere on the local buses.

undines Thu 27-Jun-24 20:29:11

The taxis on Malta are absolutely amazing, turning up on time even at 4.00 in the morning, and not expensive. The prehistoric temples have to be seen, built before the pyramids. They are off the beaten track and not advertised but they are stunning and atmospheric. We stayed in air b and b and it was lovely but Malta I find rather barren and not as colourful as, say, Crete or Cyprus. But you can still have a nice time. I found the people pretty friendly, too.

AlisonKF Fri 28-Jun-24 01:12:55

Glad that people are discovering Malta. My visit was in the first week in November when the weather was like June in the UK. The hotels were cheaper as people who winter in these demand discounts. As a single traveller I was able to afford a four star! Against this many of the hotels shut down some features, but the historic and prehistoric attractions were open, as were trips to Gozo and a day trip to Sicily including the top of Mount Etna.

Patsy70 Sun 30-Jun-24 09:40:15

WelshPoppy That is very considerate of you 😂. It’s encouraging to read all the positive comments. I’ve booked 14-18 October in an Airbnb in Valletta and we intend to use the buses, ferries and taxis. I agree that the taxis were really cheap and reliable. I’ll let you know how we got on. Thank you all.

Squiffy Mon 08-Jul-24 12:45:57

We’re heading to Valetta in the autumn and I’m just wondering if anyone knows if it’s easy to be catered for in cafés, restaurants etc, if you need gluten free food? I’m quite happy to take my usual ‘emergency supplies’ of bread and biscuits as backup if need be!