Malta and travelling alone
Discussion
Hello one and all,
I've just booked a week in Malta because it was offensively cheap, and I have a lot of assigned leave from work in which I get bored (single man). I was wondering if anyone's been and what there is to see and do. It's toward the north end of the most southern island, it probably has a name but I can't say I've looked into it too much. It's the kind of price where if I slept in and missed my flight I wouldn't really care.
Also wondering if many people have travelled alone, any tips etc to stave off boredom and/or looking like a complete tit. It's half-board which I didn't ask for and it strikes me as a little odd eating alone in that kind of setting, but of course f
k everyone else, I'm northern and it's free.
Mike.
I've just booked a week in Malta because it was offensively cheap, and I have a lot of assigned leave from work in which I get bored (single man). I was wondering if anyone's been and what there is to see and do. It's toward the north end of the most southern island, it probably has a name but I can't say I've looked into it too much. It's the kind of price where if I slept in and missed my flight I wouldn't really care.
Also wondering if many people have travelled alone, any tips etc to stave off boredom and/or looking like a complete tit. It's half-board which I didn't ask for and it strikes me as a little odd eating alone in that kind of setting, but of course f
k everyone else, I'm northern and it's free. Mike.
Malta is a beautiful place and you will easily spend a week visiting the different towns on the main island along with a trip across to Gozo, for transport use the bus, it is run by First Bus from here and you just get on and buy a adult ticket, the ticket is valid for 2 hours so keep hold of it and just show it to the driver when you board, even when you transfer at the main station!
I like Malta - plenty of things to see. If you are a game of thrones fan, then there are several sites you can visit where they filmed parts of the series. The towns of Valetta and Mdina are both worth a visit. There are ancient historic sites such as the temples of Hagar Qim, and interesting places from more recent history such as Fort Rinella. A boat to the blue grotto is also well worth doing. St Julians / Paceville is the party area but not sure I would recommend visiting alone - it's more group oriented - unless you are happy to get fleeced in gentlemans clubs. As always travelling alone has a different dynamic - you are naturally outward rather than inward looking. I'd recommend carrying a book when you are out having a coffee/beer - more chance of striking up conversation than being buried in a smartphone.
Most people either love or hate Malta....We love it. (Had a villa in Mellieha at the north of the island for several years), have visited several times a year for the last 25, in fact we are going in May again.
Plenty of info on the net, any specific questions please ask.
Don't miss:-
http://www.classiccarsmalta.com/
Be careful of the bus drivers, many try to short change tourists...(Or used to do)
Mdina is lovely....(Pronounced Imdina)
Hire a car....cheap, and they drive on the same side of the road.
A visit to the huge Armstrong gun at Fort Rinella is rewarding, and there are two excellent WW2 museums in Valletta.
The Grand Harbour is magnificent,
The red light area is in Gzira...
There is even a drag racing strip.(Check when meetings are on)
Have fun.
Plenty of info on the net, any specific questions please ask.
Don't miss:-
http://www.classiccarsmalta.com/
Be careful of the bus drivers, many try to short change tourists...(Or used to do)
Mdina is lovely....(Pronounced Imdina)
Hire a car....cheap, and they drive on the same side of the road.
A visit to the huge Armstrong gun at Fort Rinella is rewarding, and there are two excellent WW2 museums in Valletta.
The Grand Harbour is magnificent,
The red light area is in Gzira...
There is even a drag racing strip.(Check when meetings are on)
Have fun.
Saleen836 said:
Malta is a beautiful place and you will easily spend a week visiting the different towns on the main island along with a trip across to Gozo, for transport use the bus, it is run by First Bus from here and you just get on and buy a adult ticket, the ticket is valid for 2 hours so keep hold of it and just show it to the driver when you board, even when you transfer at the main station!
Agree that Malta is a wonderful place, well worth a visit at any time - but the buses aren't run by First !Unfortunately, nearly all the "classic" yellow and blue 1950's buses have gone in the last few years....(More's the pity).
Also the roads are much better after massive EU investment.
https://www.publictransport.com.mt/
Also the roads are much better after massive EU investment.
https://www.publictransport.com.mt/
Robertj21a said:
Saleen836 said:
Malta is a beautiful place and you will easily spend a week visiting the different towns on the main island along with a trip across to Gozo, for transport use the bus, it is run by First Bus from here and you just get on and buy a adult ticket, the ticket is valid for 2 hours so keep hold of it and just show it to the driver when you board, even when you transfer at the main station!
Agree that Malta is a wonderful place, well worth a visit at any time - but the buses aren't run by First !paulwirral said:
We went last year and thought it was a great , although when the wife questioned why there were ads for " hotel rooms available by the hour " i had to be careful with the explanation! Top of the steps past the noisy bars , just in case you want to avoid it !
That's why you don't go to Paceville! Filled full of "gentleman's clubs" with the exception of the Thirsty Barber, which is the only acceptable venue in the area.When it rains in Malta, it rains, far worse than in England, torrential rain... flooding is commonplace, especially in places like Birkirkara.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snrb0LlrFws
However, between late April to the end of August it's virtually constant sunshine, the storms usually start first week in September, but only last a few hours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snrb0LlrFws
However, between late April to the end of August it's virtually constant sunshine, the storms usually start first week in September, but only last a few hours.
Wacky Racer said:
Unfortunately, nearly all the "classic" yellow and blue 1950's buses have gone in the last few years....(More's the pity).
Also the roads are much better after massive EU investment.
https://www.publictransport.com.mt/
Also the roads are much better after massive EU investment.
https://www.publictransport.com.mt/
My abiding memory of visiting Malta was getting a bus late at night and the driver drifting his Leyland Heinz 57 around the bends on greasy rain-glazed tarmac, on the way back to Sliema after a night out in Valletta.It used to be a No Brainer to buy a weekly pass for the buses as they were ridiculously cheap (€8 when I went a couple of years ago) but it looks like they're now €21. If you're going solo then it is probably still worth getting as the bus is easier than trying to find somewhere to park a rental car and/or getting a cab from the airport.
There's plenty of museums to visit, I liked the Maritime Musuem, the one with the ww2 tunnels (forget what it's name was) and the new Fortifications Museum (down by the Valetta-Sliema ferry).
You can also marvel at long forgotten 1980's motorcars parked in the streets.
There's plenty of museums to visit, I liked the Maritime Musuem, the one with the ww2 tunnels (forget what it's name was) and the new Fortifications Museum (down by the Valetta-Sliema ferry).
You can also marvel at long forgotten 1980's motorcars parked in the streets.
I go to Malta every year, around this time...
I go there diving with a big group, and Malta is a great place to do it. If you have never dived before, there is no shortage of dive centres who can take you on an experience dive, or alternately, you can go the hole hog and get qualified. If you do the latter, do a PADI Open Water referral in the UK; this covers all the pool and classroom, usually over two days. You then go abroad and do the four qualifying dives (again, usually over two days). We use Buddies Dive Cove in Bugibba.
We also stay in Bugibba, which is an armpit, but as we spend the days travelling across the island, all we need is a bar in the evenings. Diving is great for single travellers, as you'll never be short of company.
Sightseeing and culture wise, there's loads to see. There is loads of history, so there is no shortage of museums. Be sure to check out the Lascaris War Rooms in Valletta.
As we are all car fans, also check out the motor museum in Buggiba.
Wacky Racer said:
...the storms usually start first week in September, but only last a few hours.
We've been fortunate most years, but we have witnessed them a couple of times, and I agree they can be pretty ferocious.I go there diving with a big group, and Malta is a great place to do it. If you have never dived before, there is no shortage of dive centres who can take you on an experience dive, or alternately, you can go the hole hog and get qualified. If you do the latter, do a PADI Open Water referral in the UK; this covers all the pool and classroom, usually over two days. You then go abroad and do the four qualifying dives (again, usually over two days). We use Buddies Dive Cove in Bugibba.
We also stay in Bugibba, which is an armpit, but as we spend the days travelling across the island, all we need is a bar in the evenings. Diving is great for single travellers, as you'll never be short of company.
Sightseeing and culture wise, there's loads to see. There is loads of history, so there is no shortage of museums. Be sure to check out the Lascaris War Rooms in Valletta.
As we are all car fans, also check out the motor museum in Buggiba.
I lived in Malta during the Korean War when my Dad was in the RN on a ship patrolling the Suez Canal. I've never returned but this thread has prompted me to check out holiday offers.
Question: am I right that street and place names have changed? We lived in a flat in Cospicua overlooking Grand Harbour, I'd rather like to find it again. (With apologies for thread hi-jack OP).
Question: am I right that street and place names have changed? We lived in a flat in Cospicua overlooking Grand Harbour, I'd rather like to find it again. (With apologies for thread hi-jack OP).
Riley Blue said:
...Question: am I right that street and place names have changed? ....
A lot of the streets appear to have both English and Maltese names, I suspect the Maltese names were not used so much officially in more colonial times.There's also a lot of modern development outside of the central Valletta area so old areas might not exist anymore.
Grown up with trips to Malta and love the place, consider it a 2nd home.
My Grandad was a bus driver so naturally I was interested in the old buses which had become an icon of the island, they have since been taken out of service. a lot of them remain stored. About 8 are back in the UK.
There's lots to see, I find it relaxing to go to small towns, find a bar and talk to the locals.
My Grandad was a bus driver so naturally I was interested in the old buses which had become an icon of the island, they have since been taken out of service. a lot of them remain stored. About 8 are back in the UK.
There's lots to see, I find it relaxing to go to small towns, find a bar and talk to the locals.
Truckosaurus said:
Riley Blue said:
...Question: am I right that street and place names have changed? ....
A lot of the streets appear to have both English and Maltese names, I suspect the Maltese names were not used so much officially in more colonial times.There's also a lot of modern development outside of the central Valletta area so old areas might not exist anymore.
Plenty to see and do in Malta.
We had a rental car, which was pretty good for seeing the further flung parts of Malta and Gozo, but don't bother trying to drive into Valetta, use the park and ride or bus from your accommodation!
Everyone speaks English, so that'll make things easy for you.
Definitely visit Valetta and Mdina (lovely walled cities, especially the latter!) and go over to Gozo if you get the chance.
Plenty of opportunities to sit in a bar, soak up the sun and relax too. Great destination (like much of the Med) if you like seafood (although where does it all come from, because there's never much life when you dive???), with lots of harbourside restaurants offering great value food (Marsaxlokk is good for this!)
Good beaches around too, some quite nice and quiet (at least when we went, in early July).
If it was me, I'd get a few dives in too, but that may not be your thing
M.
We had a rental car, which was pretty good for seeing the further flung parts of Malta and Gozo, but don't bother trying to drive into Valetta, use the park and ride or bus from your accommodation!
Everyone speaks English, so that'll make things easy for you.
Definitely visit Valetta and Mdina (lovely walled cities, especially the latter!) and go over to Gozo if you get the chance.
Plenty of opportunities to sit in a bar, soak up the sun and relax too. Great destination (like much of the Med) if you like seafood (although where does it all come from, because there's never much life when you dive???), with lots of harbourside restaurants offering great value food (Marsaxlokk is good for this!)
Good beaches around too, some quite nice and quiet (at least when we went, in early July).
If it was me, I'd get a few dives in too, but that may not be your thing
M.
Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 7th February 10:12
Gozo was good. We went on the hoho bus so we could spend a bit of time at the azure window and the other places it stops. We've done those bus tours at various places now and find them great value for money but perhaps less so if you already have a standard bus ticket.
Personally I wasn't impressed with the buses on the main island. The same buses are used by school kids, commuters, etc. and there are lots of stops on the route so it makes some journey times very long.
We stayed in Mellieha which we thought would be a good base for getting to Comino and Gozo easily, which it was, but it did mean extra bus time to get anywhere else.
Golden beach (I think it was called) was great. Big beach, plenty of nice sand unlike some of the other beaches, umbrellas/loungers weren't too expensive.
Mdina is a beautiful City, definitely worth visiting and I wish we had more time here.
Comino/blue lagoon was, again, very beautiful. Bluest seas I've ever seen. Nice little walk up towards the dive centre then across the island to the containment place and tower. Had a nice chat with the ex-pat volunteers at the tower about history and such.
Blue grotto boat tour was cheap and good fun. I seem to recall the old temples were on the same bus route so you could kill two birds with one stone.
Marsaskala was empty. It had a small market selling the usual holiday tat but not sure what else was there, definitely nothing obviously touristy like there is in Valletta. Some of the boats in the harbour were amusingly small, I've seen bigger shoeboxes!
Jeep tour of the main island was ok. Saw lots of different places but didn't really have enough time at them to explore them fully, e.g. Mdina. If I went back I would go on one of the proper boat tours instead, perhaps on of the evening ones with the free booze.
Overall we had a great experience, lots to see and do, and will definitely go back when time/funds allow. Great history when you read into it; now I know why St John's Ambulance have Maltese crosses on their uniforms
Personally I wasn't impressed with the buses on the main island. The same buses are used by school kids, commuters, etc. and there are lots of stops on the route so it makes some journey times very long.
We stayed in Mellieha which we thought would be a good base for getting to Comino and Gozo easily, which it was, but it did mean extra bus time to get anywhere else.
Golden beach (I think it was called) was great. Big beach, plenty of nice sand unlike some of the other beaches, umbrellas/loungers weren't too expensive.
Mdina is a beautiful City, definitely worth visiting and I wish we had more time here.
Comino/blue lagoon was, again, very beautiful. Bluest seas I've ever seen. Nice little walk up towards the dive centre then across the island to the containment place and tower. Had a nice chat with the ex-pat volunteers at the tower about history and such.
Blue grotto boat tour was cheap and good fun. I seem to recall the old temples were on the same bus route so you could kill two birds with one stone.
Marsaskala was empty. It had a small market selling the usual holiday tat but not sure what else was there, definitely nothing obviously touristy like there is in Valletta. Some of the boats in the harbour were amusingly small, I've seen bigger shoeboxes!
Jeep tour of the main island was ok. Saw lots of different places but didn't really have enough time at them to explore them fully, e.g. Mdina. If I went back I would go on one of the proper boat tours instead, perhaps on of the evening ones with the free booze.
Overall we had a great experience, lots to see and do, and will definitely go back when time/funds allow. Great history when you read into it; now I know why St John's Ambulance have Maltese crosses on their uniforms
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