Malta - tips please!

[BoyMeetsWorld]

Hi I hate flying so haven't been abroad in ages but have bitten the bullet and am going to Malta with 2 primary age kids in August.

Please no bad stories about Malta as I'm really trying to psych myself up for going and getting on that plane!

I'd really love some tips on things to do whilst there though...we are there 10 days, based in St Paul's Bay and all inclusive so I'm guessing we will mainly relax in the hotel but I do want to see some of the sights and culture of the island not just built up and hotel...where can we easily get to from St Paul's Bay (no car with us) to take in the 'real' Malta? Want 2 maybe 3 day trips.

Also any ideas of places the kids may love, foods to try (& where to get them), local events in August and customs to look out for?

Thanks so much.

Malta National Aquarium is one of the best children's attractions on Malta and it's pretty close to St Paul's Bay.
Popeyes village sounds cheesy (and it is, a bit!) but it's definitely worth going to. It's less than 20 minutes by taxi.
If you’d like to try some freshly baked Maltese bread, head over to Gormina bakery in the main road of St. Paul’s Bay. Eat it while it’s warm! They also sell a few types of pasti if you’re curious to get a taste of a few local sweet pastries.

There are sightseeing buses all over the place, visit medina , valetta and if possible get the short ferry journey over to Gozo . You’ll have a great time. Very easy for us english, as our language is spoken by most people there, but bit more stylish than places like Benidorm, Tenerife.

Thanks all!

DH is saying we should taxi everywhere as in Aug it will be unbearable on the buses...anyone know how much a taxi to Valetta would set us back? Would 2 adults 2 kids even fit in 1 taxi? And are the buses really that bad in August?

Pastries sound great :)

Buses are all air conditioned now so they'll be fine in August. I thoroughly recommend marco tanti icecream parlour as you head around the bay into bugibba. He's right on the front where all the boat trips leave from.
I also second gormina bakery on Mosta road in St Pauls Bay.
If you fancy a small trip out of the hotel head to the sea pools by Wignacourt Tower.
Hope you enjoy it. Malta is my favourite place in the world

If you can do a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon at Comino - DO IT! It will be crowded in August but honestly is so lovely if you go in a boat you can swim off - really worth any effort it might entail!

And Valletta is definitely worth a visit - the history is amazing.

I really love Malta and Gozo - I find them a super-relaxing place to visit. We have travelled a lot as a family both short and long-haul and I still think there is such a lot to keep you interested on these tiny islands.

Enjoy!

Valletta is a must, it is stunning, but it will be HOT!
Gozo is lovely, and where we have spend most of our time on trips to Malta.
Taxis are cheap, but buses are also good, and air conditioned. It is a small island so nothing is very far away.
We have found it to be a very easy, comfortable place to be, language is not a problem.

Relax and enjoy your holiday.

Was there years ago and loved it. They drive on the same side of the road as us so you might think of car hire even for a few days (if like me you do not relish driving on the left) And you will be able to use your hair styling appliances without any adapters.

The buses are excellent and inexpensive- they go everywhere

We loved Malta (history buffs) it’s really beautiful when you get away from the tourist resorts. So much to see and do

^ hiring a car = bad idea. There are lots of cars and little parking so take public transport (or hop on hop off) and relax

Try Kinnie the national soft drink. It's like Campari without the alcohol.

I still have pottery and glass that I brought home from Malta. Bought while dling a tour. Took us to a local pottery that we would never have found on our own and to somewhere there were lots of craft stalls including glass blowing. It was strange when buying gold jewellery thst they weighed it first

Drink Kinnie, eat pastizzi.

Its going to be mega hot, so i wouldnt plan too much as you might well just want to swim.

I absolutely love malta, but we usually go for some winter sun in february. Not sure I could cope with the summer

Bluekittens history is exactly what I'm after (whether the kids agree or not, who knows!)...I'd hate to go and spend the whole time in Touristville. Do you have any particular recommendations that can be reached easily by bus?

Yes - I'm expecting mega heat. Currently trying to compile the lightest clothing possible for us all...portable fans...any other tips from anyone? I have a feeling the hotel is going to be so rammed that everyday swimming may not be so idyllic...

If you like history then the three cities and valletta are wonderful. St. John’s cathedral. The hypogeum UNESCO site (you must book well in advance online as tickets sell out)

There is a hop on hop off tour across the island. Lots of stops.

The history of Malta video is worth a visit on your first day to give you some context - or watch a video before you leave online. It’s worth having a sense of history- Malta has been a strategically significant island.

Medina old hill top town (bus from Valletta - check timetable as they don’t run too frequently).

I don’t think you’ll ever escape the tourists, but you can escape the resorts and see “real” Malta easily

Take a boat trip (ferry will do ) to 3 cities ... also Gozo. Breathtaking views from the harbours

If you like history then there are lots of museums and collections to explore depending on your interests

Buses are just a bit slow I think, but second the comments about not driving.

The Maltese make the Italians look like careful, competent drivers and the way they do roundabouts is the opposite to us, so you'd almost certainly forget and have an accident (instead of giving way at roundabouts, they just drive straight on and people already on the roundabout have to give way).

If you can get to Comino and/or Gozo, I really would. Might be worth seeing if you can get on a tour of Gozo if you won't have a car.

if you do hire a car (i wouldnt) make sure you get ALL the insurance, as the roads can be shit if you go into gozo, and also other drivers are maniacs