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Sinbad the sailor
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Malta - cheapest flights
So what is the cheapest way to fly to Malta? Which air companies? When?...
Thanks,
Sinbad
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Vihren
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The wonderful people of Malta
The people on the islands of Malta and Gozo are genuinely good and helpful. Everybody just tries to help you even if you don't seem to be in trouble, the locals answer every question in an extremely friendly way and often give many additional explanations. Just three examples of the good people we met here: In a museum me and my friends met an old man who gave us presents. In our hotel we needed internet and a printer and the hotel keeper gave us her own personal computer. And a bus driver on the street told us everything one needs to know about the local busses. When in Malta never hesitate to ask for directions or anything or just talk to people - it is a wonderful experience.
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annatravel
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Comino
Comino is a tiny island of Malta. It has just one hotel and bungalows. This is a super romantic secluded place. I wouldn't recommend though to active people to spend there more then 3-4 days. There is totally nothing to do there then to enjoy yourselves and the nature around. Water is wonderfully blue, there are no cars, not many people - sounds like a paradise. You can do some diving there. We've rented some mountain bikes, played tennis and walked around but on the 4th day we decided to move to more fun Malta, although we really appreciated our calm weekend at gorgeous Comino.
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annatravel
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St.Barbara's bastion of Valetta
I love the capital of Malta. Although you can walk the whole old city all over in about two hours - these will be two very pleasant and interesting hours.
My favorite place in Valetta is St. Barbara's Bastion. If you arrive to Valetta from the main entrance (from Floriana) then you should take right from the Republic street - the main street of the city. The way to the Bastion itself is very nice. It consists of tiny streets which become small bridges in some places. Buildings are extremely old and charming. Normally there are a few people there so I always enjoy the way. Finally you will come to the Bastion with opens a great view of Grand Harbour of Valetta. It is a great place to sit down and to enjoy the scenery. Sometimes I come with a book after 3pm when the sun is not so much shining on this side and stay for a peaceful hour of reading at the sea.
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penmaiden
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Restaurant: The Barracuda, St Julians
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is a very expensive, very delicious restaurant on the other side of St Julian's bay from the likes of the San Giuliano, and the more touristy section of the coast. The food is extremely good, and, like most pricey Maltese restaurants, is Italian in style. The steak and the seafood are particularly good. The waiting staff are well aware of their high status, which may well put the more casual diner off, but their courtesy and attentiveness are fitting for the smart atmosphere. If possible, and if the weather permits, I suggest requesting a table on the balcony. Even if you have to wait for one, it's definitely worth it as the view is spectacular and, as the balcony is small, there is a much more intimate, private feel to it than on the main floor.
I'd highly recommend The Barracuda for luxury meals and celebrations.
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penmaiden
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Blue Creek Restaurant, Ghar Lapsi
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Blue Creek Restaurant has surely one of the prettiest outlooks in Malta. It sits above the cove of Ghar Lapsi, overlooking the natural swimming pool and the open sea. You also get a good sight of the island of Filfla.
View aside, The Blue Creek is a typical Maltese restaurant, with a large indoor 'floor' which, especially on a Sunday, if often full of extended Maltese families occupying huge tables. However, there's also a balcony which is far more pleasant, as it's from here you get the best view.
The food is wide ranging, from pub-style grub for cheap prices, to Italian and Maltese cuisine at more expense. It's all good stuff, and when I was there last, the service was efficient and courteous. It's the situation that really gives Blue Creek its status, but the food is good enough to stand on its own, so I highly recommend it.
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penmaiden
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Ghar Lapsi
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Ghar Lapsi is a little cove which, owing to the natural barrier of under- and over - water rocks, has formed a natural swimming pool. The water tends to be a degree or so warmer than in the open sea, and the rocks offer a little shelter from the waves, so it's perfect for those who want to swim when the sea's a little rough. It's also extremely pretty, with caves on one side and the open sea on the other. On the other hand, it's very small so can become crowded very quickly, despite the fact it's still remote enough to keep most tourists unaware of its existence.
There are two places serving food at Ghar Lapsi (pronounced 'Ar Lapsi'). One is a small, cheap café for unimpressive lunches, snacks and drinks. A better bet is the Blue Creek Restaurant which is a little more formal, serves good food with a view over the sea, and provides a range of dishes to match almost any pocket.
You can also SCUBA dive here. Swimming through the tunnel in the ring of rocks and out to the open sea is a great experience.
This is one of my favourite spots in Malta and well worth a visit.
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penmaiden
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Inland Sea, Gozo
If you're a SCUBA diver, you'd be a fool to miss the best diving in the Med, which can be found on Gozo - specifically, in the Inland Sea. This is exactly what it says on the tin - a small lake of water formed by the sea eating its way through the cliffs in a narrow tunnel and pooling in a small lake inland. I only dived to 15 metres but you can go much further, the there are beautiful corals clinging to the rocks.
To those who don't dive, I highly recommend taking one of the touted boat rides. It costs LM1.50 for a 15 minute spin around the cliff base, looking at the coral, caves, the Azure Window - and Fungus Rock from a distance.
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penmaiden
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Temple of Hagar Qim
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Like the temples of Mnajdra above, Hagar Qim is a megalithic structure of spiritual significance. It's slightly younger than the oldest at Mnajdra, dating from between 3200-2500BC, but is no less inspiring for its youth! It stands on the coast, overlooking the rock-island of Filfla, and its myriad of rooms, windows and doorways is real food for the imagination. The 'fat lady' statue unearthed at Hagar Qim now stands in the museum of Archaelogy, along with all the other treasures these remarkable temple sites have yielded over the years.
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penmaiden
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Temples of Mnajdra
This world heritage site is one of the most mysterious and remarkable places on the planet. Dated from around 3500 BC, Mnajdra's three temples sit at the top of a rise overlooking the southern coastal cliffs and the temple of Hagar Qim. Nobody knows its true purpose, or anything about the remarkable engineers of the time who managed to construct this temple out of vast stone blocks. Of all the sights in Malta, these temples are perhaps the most haunting and atmospheric. If only the government would evict the unpleasant bird hunters who marr the surrounding area with their cruel hides and nets.
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penmaiden
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10 Things to do in Malta
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
1. Visit the ancient temples of Hagar Qim
2. Go diving in Gozo - or just visit.
3. Rent a boat and head to the Blue Lagoon and Comino.
4. Eat pastizzi. Then eat some more.
5. Visit a village festa - and make sure you stay for the Catherine wheels.
6. Eat rabbit at Bobbyland on Dingli Cliffs, and watch the sunset.
7. Rent a pedalo at Golden Sands, head away from the crowded beach, and go snorkelling.
8. Wander the silent streets of Mdina, the old capital.
9. See the Caravaggio hanging in St John's Co Cathedral in Valletta.
10. Get fresh baked Maltese bread from a bakery, add tomatoes, Maltese olive oil, capers, tuna, and buy a bottle of wine. Take it all out to the country, find a secluded spot, and have a picnic.
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penmaiden
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Tips for Making the Most of Malta
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Malta tries very hard to be a beach holiday destination. I can't emphasise how much it fails. DO NOT go there if you want a Costa del Sol experience. The beaches are small, crowded, and often dirty. Golden Sands is the best of the bunch, but not worth more than a day trip.
Malta is a fascinating, charming, beautiful island - if you give it a chance. To get the best of it, find a base (and don't expect too much from your hotel) and hire a car. Explore at your own pace, and stay well away from touristville. Look into little villages, seek out the countryside, explore towns on foot - and don't let the haphazard tourist industry wind you up.
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Karrr
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Beaches
Your holiday in malta will dramatically improve on my experience if you stay by a proper beach. The place where I stayed lacked a proper beach, it was really stony and you had to pay if you wanted to lie on the sun loungers. Malta has some stunning beaches, which due to the lack of public transport can be difficult to access. If you stay at a hotel on the beach it is so much better.
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Karrr
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Malta Overview
I booked a trip to malta with a friend of mine with almost no research into the where I was going or what I would be doing. Big mistake. Malta was certainly not the holiday I had hoped for. There wasn't much to do and the bus service ended really early so you couldn't stray far from the hotel at night. Don't get me wrong, I wasn' looking for an 18-30s type holiday, but I just wanted to make the most of my time there by seeing and doing lots of stuff. We just ended up going on lots of moderately interesting tours to random places. The best tour was to Sicily, but it wasn't exactly cheap. It was only a good holiday for those that were happy to spend all there time by the hotel swimming pool and drink in their rooms at night. Not exactly my cup of tea...
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annatravel
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Diving in Malta
Malta is a great pace for diving. Of course it is not a Red sea with a variety of fish and corals, not Australia or Indian Ocean, but nevertheless it offers really great experiences and extremely interesting diving sights.
Imperial Eagle: there is a statue of Christ under the water (25 m deep) and a great coral tunnel with sponges. There are different types of colorful fishes including barracuda.
Bristol Bomber: the bomber was sinking during the war and still stays there - interesting.
Migrah Verha: lots of beautiful caves, ledges, vertical walls.
Around Comino island the bottom is smooth and sandy, there is a good place to dive for the beginners. It is really beautiful.
Lots of great caves and reefs around Gozo.
Sinked ships and airplanes, fishes...this is all that diving in Malta offers.
It is not a problem to find a dving school and diving providers in Malta. They are all over the shore. Many of them are located in Sliema and Saint-Julians. They have good equipment and friendly personnel. It is always fun to dive with fellows from all over the world.
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annatravel
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Maltese cuisine and dining
Maltese cuisine is very much influenced by Italian, Mauritanian and I would say English food cultures. It is not so "artistic" and delicate like for example French cuisine but still full of tasty and interesting dishes.
It is not so easy to find a national restaurant though. They have lots of Italian and French restaurants around. When you find one, then I would definitely recommend to try the rabbit. Maltese cook rabbits in different ways. Fenkata is a traditional fried rabbit, marinated in red wine. Tastes great!
What I really liked there - soups! Aljotta - fish soup with tomatoes is delicious!!!!!!!! Vegetable Minestra has a great smooth taste!
If you don't mind eating a dolphin, then try Lampuka.
There are lots of English style pubs in Malta, so if you prefer a good English breakfast with bacon and eggs, you won't have a problem finding one. It is particularly convinient when you oversleep your hotel breakfast. English breakfasts are servedeven during lunch time in bars.
Pizza and Pasta is on every corner, as well as other European restaurants. There is even Russian one in Saint-Julians.
I would recommend Giorgio's restaurant & cafe, 17 Tigne Seafront in Sliema. They have a good choice of Maltese cuisine and pastry.
TGI Frieday's on Fortizza (a small fortress in Sliema) on Tower road has tasty burgers and stakes.
Ta Kolina on Tower Road 151 serves a great rabbit and has a very nice atmosphere.
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annatravel
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Popeye Village
Popeye Village is beautiful theme park situated on a rock with an amazing view of Anchor Bay. It is just 2 miles away from famous Maltese resort Melieha Bay.
The park was built in 80-s as a film set for the Popeye musical by Paramount and Walt Disney productions. Everything still remains like in a movie. The village consists of rustic wooden buildings. There are lots of museums, shows, performances, rides and games for children. I would assure you that as the adult you will also have a good time there.
Normally in summer season there are boat tours around the village. During 20 minutes you can enjoy a great scenery.
It is opened 7 days a week. We've been there on a week day, there were just a few visitors and we could fully explore the park without waiting and crowd.
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annatravel
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Rip-off tours
Malta is full of attractions. Lots of travel agencies at every corner offer all possible tours and excursions. My friend has booked a trip to Gozo island which promised to explore all the main sights of Gozo. It was a small Italian agency in Saint-Julians (unfortunately I was not there on the day when he visited the agency so I don't really know which agency was it). They drove us with the rest of the tour group in a mini-bus to the ferry, gave us a ticket and said that it is very important to keep it for the entrance to the ferry and to all museums. At the entrance to the ferry it occurred that this ticket is not for the ferry and we had to pay the full fee. The same was at the museum on Gozo. There was no tour guide for the island, just a driver who was driving us around and stopping at the paces of interest.
I have been to Malta 5 times and tried many organised and individual tours as well as explored the islands myself. Therefore according to my experience I can say that big solid travel agencies who have representative offices at big hotels has never disappointed me. It is better to pay more and then not to worry about anything. Or if you are on a limited budget, just get a map, ask at the hotel receptions all the information, check the brochures and take a bus yourself (or rent a car) to the destination.
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