Malta - Any recommendations?

[nevgroom]

Off to Malta tomorrow for a week, staying in St Juliens.

Any recommendations - Sights, beaches, tours, restaurants, bars????

Much appreciated folk



PS-Posted here because it's easier than reading a guide and views of a cross-section of folk are far more valuable

[nevgroom]

I was actually hoping there might be a little more to do than that

[Road Pest]

Know nothing about Malta myself but I know Pothole does.

[s2sol]

My ex-wife is Maltese. I used to spend a lot of time there, but it's been 7 or 8 years at least. Valetta's a nice place for a wander about. It's got some interesting old buildings, shops, bars and things.

Mdina is pretty, with cafes and cracking views over the island. There's a great big church in Mosta, if you like that sort of thing.

I used to spend a lot of time diving, because I couldn't hear her down there. At the time, there were a lot of Russians coming over and diving, and they're a bit overpowering. I don't know if that's the same now.

We used to eat at a restaurant in St Paul's bay - Gillieru. Good fish. A lot of the swimming pools in hotels are salt water, which can come as a bit of a surprise. There's odd bits of WW2 history to explore. One of my favourite places on the island for looking around were the fort areas at Senglea and Il Birgu.

We mostly stayed with family, so didn't do a great deal of touristy things. Gozo's all right for a day out, but not a great deal to see or do.

[Ultuous]

I'll echo the thought that Valletta and Mdina's are nice and both worth seeing... I'd also recommend Gozo for sure if you're with a lady (my ex loved it!) - a Jeep safari's a great way to see the island in a day... one of the best excusions I've been on (infact we went for the day without the Jeep last year having done it before and TBH it turned into a pain getting about - we spend most of the day waiting for buses)!

As for restaurants, we stayed in St Julians a couple of years back and it's one of those places where I think it's best just to wonder and stop wherever the mood takes you as there are plenty of decent restaurants and bars (infact I'd say the same for exploring Malta in general!)

It's a cracking place - I'm off for my third visit in a couple of weeks!

[mvalek1]

being half maltese mysef and having spent lots of time there over the years, i'd certainly recommend senglea, which usually gets very overlooked. very interesting down by the waterfront. dingli cliffs is very scary and dont forget the little cheesy and date pastizzis. lush.

[nevgroom]

Brilliant! Thanks guys, much appreciated - Much prefer to get 'local' experiences.

[llewop]

If you like ancient history stuff/ruins etc - both on Malta and Gozo there are some quite unusual sites. The weirdest being:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypogeum_of_%C4%A6al-...

but you might not be able to get tickets (very strictly limited/day) but some of the others that are above ground are quite interesting too

but also agree with other comments on generally bimbling about + Gozo, Medina has some nice places to eat within the castle. If you want a rather rustic way to travel about, try the local buses....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta_bus

[ianash]

Paceville isn't far from St Juliens and has lots of nightlife.

[anonymous-user]

Id head over to Gozo, very nice over there! Just to warn you that Malta is a bit stinky in the north east in the summer when its hot

[Mastiff]

Desperately trying to find out the name of a superb wine bar that was deep in a cellar in Valetta.

Had a superb evening there when we went a couple of years ago. I think I still have the business card at home, I cannot find it on t'internet though...

Ignore that last statement - here it is...

http://trabuxu.com.mt/index.html

[Mastiff]

... and go here for Salt Baked Sea Bass.

http://www.wgc-group.com/barracuda/index.html

Apologies for double post, will not let me edit.

[A2Z]

Been quite a few times as wife is half Maltese and her parents are over there.

I'll echo most of what has been said above. Gozo is my favourite, Xlendi and the blue grotto on Malta near Zurrieq.

http://www.maltadragracing.com/

This is also a fun night, and being ph I had to mention it. Out near the airport. There maybe a night meet just before you leave.

[Pothole]

so are you back? Where did you go? what did you see? etc...

[nevgroom]

Got back Friday - Excellent visit and so interesting.

"Did" Valetta (St John's Cathedral was breathtaking). Also visited Gozo (great place), and Mdina (awesome experience and great views).

Plenty of places to eat, excellent value, great quality (and wine was much cheaper than UK retaurants).

All in all will definitely go back - June is a good time as temperature wasn't too hot (27C).

Also got to watch the UIM Malta Ocean Grand Prix (Powerboats), pretty impressive in 3m swells!! http://oceangrandprix.com/category/news-events/

One other thing, the people are so incredibly friendly, hospitality is very impressive