Malta - recommendations

[Isochronous]

Will be visiting for a week in July and am keen to hear from anyone who has been there - accommodation tips, dining, sightseeing etc.

Le Meridien looks alright at 6,100 SPG per night.

What's public transport like - or should I look to hire a car?

 

[lathiat]

I stayed at the Corinthia Hotel for a work conference, has an awesome view right onto the ocean including the pool decks. Was pretty good for the price.
I would also *highly* recommend Hugo's Lounge.. it's about 2/3rds up a long (long) staircase from street level. There are a lot of different "Hugo" places around there but if you find this one it has some of the most amazing food I have had anywhere, for a stupid price. Absolute must eat!

View from my room

 

[Pushka]

Of course you know you have to go 'up' the lift to the main viewing area of the Harbour. It's incredibly moving. Not sure whether it's possible but a Harbour boat tour would also be amazing. We were blown away by Malta which was very unexpected.

 

[Isochronous]

I stayed at the Corinthia Hotel for a work conference, has an awesome view right onto the ocean including the pool decks. Was pretty good for the price.
I would also *highly* recommend Hugo's Lounge.. it's about 2/3rds up a long (long) staircase from street level. There are a lot of different "Hugo" places around there but if you find this one it has some of the most amazing food I have had anywhere, for a stupid price. Absolute must eat!

Stupid prices as in stupidly expensive, or stupidly cheap?

 

[lathiat]

Stupid prices as in stupidly expensive, or stupidly cheap?

Good question, I meant stupidly cheap given how good the food was.

Here's the menu, you're looking around 15 EUR for a meal. They have lots of sushi (which was good) but I'd highly recommend the indian dishes in particular.

http://www.hugosloungemalta.com/viewer/110/download.pdf

 

[etops1]

Definitely hire a car. PT is irregular and it will be baking hot in July, not pleasant to be standing around waiting for a bus that may come once an hour.

 

[NZflygirl]

I went ~ November last year.

I read that you should stay away from the intercontinental - FT. Not worth it.

I got some sort of shuttle from the airport which I organized at the airport on arrival. Of course passed a car accident where one cars tyres were actually up on top of another thinking - "how"? and "what a great advert for car insurance". No one seemed to be hurt but I was glad I was not driving.

Malta I stayed at Hotel Argento at St Julian's. Nice breakfast, room was small but clean and comfy. View of some building going up next door. Hotel Malta : St Julians Hotel : Argento Hotel Malta Nice view from the gym upstairs.

I stayed only 1 night at Corinthia as above post when back on Malta and it was really nice. A GHA property and upgraded to some suite with balcony's. Pity I arrived late from Gozo and flew out early so no real time to enjoy the place. Booked a taxi for the morning.

Don't forget about the other 2 islands Gozo and Comino.

I missed Comino and the weather wasn't right to go. Gozo is ~25min ferry ride away. Large boat. I was going to say visit the Azure window but it appears to have collapsed March this year https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azure_Window. There is a cool spot below to snorkel but buggar if I know how people got down there. https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=d...8M3TAhVCo5QKHfDCAYAQ_AUICigB&biw=1280&bih=726

I got around by bus and foot. There are hop on hop off tours also. I think I bought some 10 ride type ticket thing too I found in the back of some brochure. I was travelling by myself and on my own time so didn't mind wheeling my bag around, especially when you've got all the time in the world.

I stayed at Kempinski San Lawrenz on Gozo. https://www.kempinski.com/en/gozo/h...y0MYctsk0BmLZ-Jen4HWdi_XEqceu1rD6yxoCpBvw_wcB GHA property with a lot of character and a great gym. Great breakfast spread. I walked from the bus stop to the hotel. I think I got some sort of transfer to the main bus station.

In comparison to Australia / NZ hotel prices I found these places cheap.

Dinner In The Sky Malta | An Out of this World Experience It had closed for the season when I was there but looked like something unique to do.

Brookies Restaurant - Gozo Malta I saw this in a magazine on the way over and booked to go but cancelled as I couldn't keep my eyes open. I think I only had dinner twice on the go ~ 4pm. Just didn't adjust to the time zone.

It's a really different place with a great vibe and easy to do in a short space of time. I went to the same places every other tourist went to so just followed the map and hop on off buses.

You won't regret going in the slightest.

 

[Isochronous]

I'm there for 8 nights (7 full days). Should I stay on one of the islands for a few nights?

Depends if Gozo and Comino can be done as day trips or not I guess.

Flying EK J redemption so have free airport transfer on arrival, departure is on Air Malta so will be decidedly LCC no doubt.

 

[Spongbob]

Definitely hire a car. PT is irregular and it will be baking hot in July, not pleasant to be standing around waiting for a bus that may come once an hour.

But if you want a beer or two with a meal the the bus network is OK (use a timetable to avoid the wait). Also, accommodation near St. Paul's Bay is cheaper than near the Grand Harbour. And a boat trip to Sicily is an option.

 

[Catweazle]

Gozo is a long day trip from the capital, Valletta, but certainly do-able (actually my little avatar is a photo taken in Gozo). You could hire a car just for the day to get to where the ferry leaves, or split your trip up somewhat with a night actually in Gozo. That said, driving in Malta is a little like Italy, except that it's a whole lot smaller so if you do end up hiring a car, do get the smallest option given the size of the streets etc, if I remember rightly.

I found the buses pretty useful to be honest, provided you get yourself a map. If things haven't changed you can get some sort of a weekly pass that'll allow you to travel all the way around the island throughout the bus network.

Typical islander life despite the business of summer, so relax, forget trying to rush everywhere and just enjoy your holiday. Malta is like the Italians mixed with the Lebanese, with a touch of the Brit thrown in for good measure so it's a great place to be. Regarding the dining: don't leave without trying pastizzi and the national softdrink, Kinnie. It's perhaps an acquired taste, but also a cultural experience!

 

[Isochronous]

Thanks for the tips all. Looking forward to it!

 

[andmiz]

My main recommendation is a day tour with Karlito's Way. It was just like being shown around Malta by a friend, had we an amazing time. We stayed at the Intercontinental; it wasn't great and is in a nightclub area, but not awful either. As a now Maltese citizen, personally I'd try to stay around Sliema, but it really depends on why you're travelling to Malta in the first place (business or pleasure).