Off to Malta - anything I should definitely do/see?

Shicky

Shicky

Shicky

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Off in a few hours with the gf for 8days or so. Basically travelling all over the main island and gozo - stay in gozo 3 nights, Mellieha 1 night, Buggiba 2 nights, Silema 2 nights.

As title really, is there anything we must see or do? Preferably based on previous experience but any tips welcome!
 
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Mdina is a picturesque walled town on top of a hill thats worth visiting. You could take your girlfriend up the back alleys, she'd love that.
 
ride on the old 1930's buses before the EU force them off the road.

Stand underneath the giant siege bell near Valletta harbour when it starts clanging :p
 
Need to go to 1927 restaurant in St Julians next to the old Band Club. Really awesome food and good value. Good Maltese wine too. Reservation required unless you get there very early.

Ancient cart ruts for the win :)

Oh and Duck Village just at the entrance of Manoel Island is another gem truly worthy of at least 10 minutes of your time :)
 
Go to the Ghadira Nature Reserve across the road form the beach in Mellieha Bay, if only to see the Chameleons crawling about in the trees. Also the White Tower is nearby, some great views over to Gozo.

Loads of ancient structures all over the islands, with the most impressive being the Ggantija temples on Gozo.
 
There's loads to do in Malta and Gozo :cool:. I'll only plug one thing on each as otherwise I'll be here all day, and that's not even getting started on restaurants!

One thing that tourists haven't really discovered yet in Malta is the Lascaris War Rooms (WWII Command & Control Centre), in the 17th Century tunnels under the Upper Barracca. It's only officially been open a few months (Easter 2011 IIRC - that's why it hasn't been 'discovered' yet), but I had a nosey last summer and it was coming on great - and the volunteers were dead friendly and knowledgeable too.
It's part of the Heritage Pass, which also provides access to the Saluting Battery at the Upper Barracca, Malta at War Museum and Fort Rinella. The pass is a good saving over buying individual entry to all four :).

On Gozo there's a great family vineyard that is doing a bit of Agritourism these days (you can also just ring up for a tour and tasting). Ta’ Mena Estate - on the way from Victoria to Marsalforn. Joseph and his family are good people and dead friendly :). Their wine is epic.

Oh and if you go over to Comino, the Blue Lagoon is overrated but the Crystal Lagoon is fantastic :cool:.
 
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In Mellieha, go the restaurant near the bottom of the town which is next to a bridge (I'll get the name at a later date for you). Relatively cheap, the staff are really pleasant and the food is brilliant.

As you go even further down, just before you go down the winding road to the sea (which is absolutely glorious, though I always went to the rockier part rather than the sand, the locals use it and it's a lot more interesting/enjoyable than the sandy bit with the tourists) turn up the road to the left as if you're going up to the church. There is a small cafe opposite the church that gives a spectacular view of the bay. It's lovely on a night time when all the Maltese come out there for a few drinks and the kids play in the park.

For going out, I'd highly recommend St Julians, it's a good experience out. Just remember though, the age of drinking is 17 so be careful who you pull :o

:)


I'll write a few more things up tonight if you want. Malta is a wonderful place. The heat can be moderately intense midday though. Always great to get up early, stock up on beer, salami and bread, and have a great day til the sun goes down a bit. Alternatively you can go to the major towns instead. :)


P.s Always check your bills, some locals have no objection to tacking on an extra bottle of wine etc on a bill. It's easy to spot and there should be no problem getting a refund, even though they try a sob story sometimes :D
 
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A.N.Other said:
Aye. You'd need a car though, IIRC. Go see the catacombs too they're quite interesting.
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Yeah - I'd say you want to hire a car for sure regardless. The buses are to be considered a one-time tourist 'experience', imho, and not a convenient means of transportation round the islands :).
 
You like ancient temples? Malta's got ancient temples!

Gantija and Har Qim temples were pretty fascinating. The Hypogeum of Paola even more so.

Diving is reasonable in and around the Blue Grotto, but not really up there with the best dive sites in the med.

Fort St Elmo and the nearby WWII museum in Valletta is quite interesting for a poke around. Quite small, but Malta was a key strategic fort in the war, and it's quite interesting spending an afternoon learning about it.

Gozo has a few little family-run restaurants with really nice local produce and wines. Basically wonder the little windy streets and you'll not go wrong.

Those the main highlights I remember from about 2005 or so.

Edit: I quite enjoyed the crowded little buses, really. No two buses are quite the same, and each driver seems to personalise their own bus to some degree. Our favourite was the reggae bus, which had decorations and constant music of Bob Marley...
 
Liampope said:
Yeah - I'd say you want to hire a car for sure regardless. The buses are to be considered a one-time tourist 'experience', imho, and not a convenient means of transportation round the islands :).
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I had no problems with it myself and I was there several months. Then again I couldn't drive so that didn't leave me much choice. :)
 
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