Malta in late February - any recommendations please?
Discussion
Assuming you like cars, https://www.classiccarsmalta.com/ is definitely worth a visit.
Otherwise it depends what you like. Malta is a busy place, Gozo is quieter but has less choice of hotels. The Grand in Mgarr overlooking the harbour used to be good pre-covid but I've not been since, get a terrace room for the spectacular view across Comino to Malta and watch the goings-on in the harbour. There are fast ferries from Mgarr to Valetta, definitely better for a day trip than the normal ferry plus bus or drive. Hiring a car is OK if you're pretty confident, the Maltese don't like to stop ever, but they all drive like that so it kind of works, you have to join in or you'll cause chaos.
On Malta, Mdina is definitely worth a visit. Go to Fontanella and get a table on the walls for the views and desserts (the actual meals aren't great), Mdina Dungeons and the catacombs in Rabat.
Otherwise it depends what you like. Malta is a busy place, Gozo is quieter but has less choice of hotels. The Grand in Mgarr overlooking the harbour used to be good pre-covid but I've not been since, get a terrace room for the spectacular view across Comino to Malta and watch the goings-on in the harbour. There are fast ferries from Mgarr to Valetta, definitely better for a day trip than the normal ferry plus bus or drive. Hiring a car is OK if you're pretty confident, the Maltese don't like to stop ever, but they all drive like that so it kind of works, you have to join in or you'll cause chaos.
On Malta, Mdina is definitely worth a visit. Go to Fontanella and get a table on the walls for the views and desserts (the actual meals aren't great), Mdina Dungeons and the catacombs in Rabat.
Not wanting to put a downer on things, but we went in April last year and it was pretty cold and there was a lot of rain. I'd take some jumpers.
The bus trip to Gozo was nice and gave a nice view of the island.
We quite liked our week (weather aside), no language problems as everybody speaks English perfectly and the place had a nice feel about it.
Only other disappointment was the lack of old cars, was expecting loads of old British cars from the 60s & 70s still about due to the good weather, like a European Cuba or something. But nothing, nothing at all.
I'd heard there are many thousands of classic cars on the island, but didn't see anything at all.
The bus trip to Gozo was nice and gave a nice view of the island.
We quite liked our week (weather aside), no language problems as everybody speaks English perfectly and the place had a nice feel about it.
Only other disappointment was the lack of old cars, was expecting loads of old British cars from the 60s & 70s still about due to the good weather, like a European Cuba or something. But nothing, nothing at all.
I'd heard there are many thousands of classic cars on the island, but didn't see anything at all.
Not putting a downer however February is not a month I would recommend, probably April onwards is safest.
St Julians is a place I would keep away from at night as it is very much a party town and nowadays a pretty wild one.
Personally I always stay in the north side as much quieter, around Mellieha, Mgarr (Malta Mgarr), Golden Bay area however you would need to hire a car if you stay around there.
Regarding what vixen1700 said, old classic cars usually only come out in summer and plenty to be seen around the Qawra area, rain and damp conditions are a big nono for the owners.
St Julians is a place I would keep away from at night as it is very much a party town and nowadays a pretty wild one.
Personally I always stay in the north side as much quieter, around Mellieha, Mgarr (Malta Mgarr), Golden Bay area however you would need to hire a car if you stay around there.
Regarding what vixen1700 said, old classic cars usually only come out in summer and plenty to be seen around the Qawra area, rain and damp conditions are a big nono for the owners.
The proper classics are all kept hidden other than for events.
The 70-80s european daily drivers seemed to have been replaced by 90-00s Japanese grey imports (which have some novelty) but still plenty of random interesting cars parked in the streets.
Loads of museums and old buildings to visit, and Valletta is small enough to just wander about marveling at the history.
On the couple of trips I've made I had stayed in Sliema which is a good combination of new developments (so lots of cheap hotels), sea views, bars and plenty of traditional charm (versus more resort towns like St Pauls etc) plus easy to get across to Valletta or the bus routes around the island.
Buses are cheap, but still busy out of season.
Not wishing to be Nigel Farage, but there has been a large amount of EU immigration in recent years so a lot of the staff in hotel/restaurants/etc are now Eastern Europeans not Maltese which takes some of the charm away.
The 70-80s european daily drivers seemed to have been replaced by 90-00s Japanese grey imports (which have some novelty) but still plenty of random interesting cars parked in the streets.
Loads of museums and old buildings to visit, and Valletta is small enough to just wander about marveling at the history.
On the couple of trips I've made I had stayed in Sliema which is a good combination of new developments (so lots of cheap hotels), sea views, bars and plenty of traditional charm (versus more resort towns like St Pauls etc) plus easy to get across to Valletta or the bus routes around the island.
Buses are cheap, but still busy out of season.
Not wishing to be Nigel Farage, but there has been a large amount of EU immigration in recent years so a lot of the staff in hotel/restaurants/etc are now Eastern Europeans not Maltese which takes some of the charm away.
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