What’s Malta like for a holiday?

[DeftandGlory]

Because I only know one person that’s been and they were a bit cagey.

I’ve had a look on the Trip Advisor forum to get a feel. The vibe is a bit down beat if I’m honest.
I like the look of the stone buildings, I really like sea ( not necessarily beach) and sun. However it’s hard to tell where the nice areas are as it’s so built up, there’s lots of similar looking views from the hotels as I’m guessing they overlook the same bits of water.
Is it worth a week away or shall I just do the south of France as a safe bet again.

We went and loved it! We stayed in Valetta. It is quite quiet but there is enough to do for a week. The buses are cheap and frequent. We had a trip to Gozo which is beautiful and Medina.

I loved wandering around with so few people.

We went many years ago and stayed in Marsaskala - it's like an estuary/marina - a nice place to walk around and eat out in the evenings. We enjoyed Valleta as well. We hired a car and I remember a couple of lovely spots with rocks/rock pools looking over beautiful blue sea. We'd both happily go there again. However, if your looking for beaches, lots of nightlife (other than bars and restaurants) then it might not be for you. If you have active children then I'd probably look at somewhere with a pool.

Hi, I loved Malta! I went on my own in 2016 (I fancied a solo trip and Malta seemed a small safe place to start!)
I stayed in Saint Paul’s bay, I got a weekly bus ticket and spent the week doing a new city/town each day. Valletta is lovely and Mdina is absolutely beautiful, you must go there. I’d definitely recommend it.

I stayed in Valetta, which has a beautiful old town. There are regular buses all over the island and to the sights. There is also a touristy area with the usual big hotels and beach. If you think all the photos look kind of the same, they may be from this part of the island. You can stay elsewhere if you don't fancy it. That area is only a short bus trip away from Valetta anyway.

I boycot due to environmental problems, especially with birds. And corruption

I don't rate the beaches - but Malta is lovely, especially if you love history.

Valletta is the best place to stay as all the buses radiate from here. The weekly bus pass is cheap, but the buses are packed! Templars museum is really good. The Cathedral is stunning inside.

Valletta itself is lovely, though oddly quiet at night - not that many restaurants. It's lovely to get on one of the ferries from here - again very cheap.

Medina is lovely. Lots of Games of Thrones scenes were filmed here. the eary Christian tombs outside the walled city are fascinating.

It is worth splitting a visit and spending a coupe of nights on Gozo - really beautiful and unspoilt - I guess how Malta was a few decades ago. great prehistoric sites here.

Hilly and rocky so take decent shoes not pathetic little sandals and plimsolls like I did.

Otherwise lovely but some parts away from the main towns are quite isolated. You could end up doing a lot of driving or being stuck with one restaurant you have to walk miles to even get to.

Can you tell we made some bad choices?

Go to Gozo instead! We (pre covid) go a couple of times a year, it’s excellent value, quiet, friendly, great diving, wonderful food. I didn’t like Malta, too touristy! Although spending a night in Valletta on the way home is fun.

Thank you all that’s reassuring!
We’ve also booked a property just that little bit too far out too. I always google map location now just to double check it’s not too far up a hill or something. There’s nothing like being next to an all night ferry terminal to take the edge off either.

Malta is always a safe bet for a short haul holiday from the UK. It is a very small nation former British so everyone speaker English in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea south of Italy so all round excellent weather.

You can see the whole nation including the even smaller neighbouring island of Gozo and possibly tiny Comino too within a week. Everyone uses the national bus network as there are no trains or other public transportation. The buses cover the whole island as there are no motorways because it is that small. You can jump on a bus from the one and only international airport to all main towns and villages. Just buy a cheap multiple ticket pass and hop on and off. I am of course speaking for non pandemic safe times as buses tend to be over crowded (they don't follow UK capacity rules!). We went when the Azure window arch was still there but collapsed shortly after we left. Great nation for gentle walking and those with a historical interest as fascinating past. Very British culturally in some ways but amazing weather. Lots of events in most months. I recommend staying in Sliema the nicest part with all the amenities opposite Valletta by boat.

I found it very boring

Loved it! Fabulous old town, lots to see around the island - make sure you hire a car. Nice beaches and restaurants too

Malta is lovely. The beach at Melieha is sandy and Gozo is pretty (but very quiet).

Quiet, found it a bit expensive, didn't find people too friendly but overall nice, lots of historical sights, good weather.