Malta - is it just me that didn't really like it?

[NCTDN]

I don't get the love for Malta. Each to their own and all that, but there's so many posts saying how beautiful it is as a country. We explored the whole island of so I thought. Did I miss somewhere ? (Loved Valletta btw)

@PadstowGirl ditto Spain and Cyprus. I really don't know why the EU don't have more teeth in this regard. I can't bear to read about it every year.

There was an article in the RSPB magazine about the different flight paths English and Scottish cuckoos were taking to get down into Africa. The Scottish cuckoos were flying over Eastern Europe and down that way, most of them arrived at their destination. The English were faring much worse as they headed down to through the Med.

I love Malta, going again next March.

However, I do not like sun, sea, sand type holidays.

I am an old gimmer.

I love the history. They suffered so much in WW2. My Dad was an airman there during the siege.

The biggest disappointment for me was that for some reason I was convinced I would see my Dad walking round but I didn't ofcourse. I am a lunatic. 🤣

Very flet, Malta.
I like the sound of Valletta, but would probably base myself on Gozo.

It’s a dump. People and food was great though (and our hotel was fabulous). It just lacks any real charm, some of the ‘resort towns’ are just ugly.

I haven't been there in 20 years but I loved it then. Valetta and Mdina are beautiful. The sea was so blue and so warm. So much history and so easy to travel around and see everything.

I go for a couple of weeks every year. I like it.

After visiting beautiful destinations with incredible preserved history like Rome, Florence, Istanbul and Athens I was expecting a bit more of interest.

No, it’s a dump. Valletta is ok, but otherwise, meh. DD lived there for a while and had a Maltese boyfriend who took us to all the supposedly best parts. Still thought it was a dump, so did he to be fair. That said though, when he visited over here we took him to the Trafford centre and he thought it was the most beautiful place he’d ever seen 😂😂😂

I really didn't enjoy Malta at all. I found it boring, the food was terrible and it just seemed to be a rock full of expats with a mishmash of cultures, but no culture properly of their own. Valetta was also very strange, I didn't get a good vibe from it. Other PPs mentioned it seemed half finished, and I totally agree. It reminds me a bit of if Aldi made a version of Italy.

Agree with every point above, the worst 10 days of my life. Totally boring...but we're all different. (And I wish I knew how to grey text!!)

I thought there was loads of that. The two prehistoric temple sites, Mdina and Rabat and being able to walk between them, the Co-Catherdral, all the fortresses and the Barrakka gardens. We had loads to keep us busy for 10 days.

I haven’t been since I was a child to be fair but I loved it then- I remember snorkelling in crystal clear water, really friendly locals, learning about the Knights of Malta and going to the historical sites.

I'm just back from a short visit and re-read this thread out of interest. I enjoyed my visit although it was a bit too hot for me.

I was based in Valletta which was a really interesting place, felt safe and was easily walkable (if you don't mind some steep streets) and full of history.

On the bus to Marsaxlokk I did notice many half built houses with no sign of builders and wondered about that, thinking they mustn't work on very hot days, so thanks to the poster explaining what that's about, very interesting.

Would I go back? Possibly, but at a cooler time of year as the heat did impact the amount of walking I did. Although I only scratched the surface I did visit Birgu, Mdina, Rabat and Marsaxlokk. I would definitely stay in Valletta again, it was a great base.

I loved Malta and would go back. The history is fascinating. The cathedral is well worth a visit just for the Caravaggio. I loved the museums. We had a really interesting guide in the war rooms. I wouldn't consider it a beach holiday destination tbh.

It was interesting and the history is amazing - but it is overly built up and not the most amazing place I have ever been. Pleasant enough though.

I went about 10 years ago. I didn't expect to like it but ended up really liking it. We stayed at the Hilton in St Julian's. I think it was August. Every night there was a procession with fireworks that went on for hours so the atmosphere was really good. We're not particularly beach people but did enjoy a morning on Comino before taking the boat on to Gozo and the Azure Window (we saw it before it collapsed). Another trip was to Mdina, which I really liked. We caught the bus everywhere - it was 1 euro all day at the time. It was good to see Valletta - there's a famous view of it over the bay. I always recommend St John's cathedral to people - the tombstone floor is amazing and I would go back to Malta just to see it again. It depends what you want from a holiday. I certainly wouldn't judge people for liking Malta like one poster earlier in the thread. There was definitely enough to fill a week. Food at the time was cheap. I ate quite a few salmon pasta dishes with vodka and cream and it was about 7-8 euros at the time when main courses in the UK were about £12-15. I wouldn't dismiss it for some winter sun.

How sad. Reminds me of a book I read with that as one of the themes

I agree this is abhorrent. I was told bird trapping is illegal and people are encouraged to report any illegal hunting. There were pigeons everywhere but very few small birds.

We also boycott it due to their disgusting slaughter of migratory birds.

You missed the best part- the island of Gozo.

Malta consists of 3 islands.

The website says this year it was down to only two species:
“Under the autumn 2023 trapping season, trapping was permitted from the 20th of October 2023 until the 10thof January 2024, on two species: Song Thrush (20th October–31st December) and Golden Plover (1stNovember–10th January).”

So they are coming round slowly.

Songbirds by Christy Lefteri?

I think I would find Malta interesting. I'm not fussed about a beach holiday. I like exploring and sightseeing.

If it’s the same one I read, that was set in Cyprus with an illegal bird trapper.

Yes. That's the one.

We visited as my husband wanted to go. I wasn't that keen a I thought it looked very built up (I like to holiday in beautiful rural places), and my original impression was correct. But I can see why history and city lovers would enjoy it.

I liked Malta but went about 20 years ago.

@IthinkIamAnAlien grey text? Do you mean the quote function? Just hit the button at the bottom left of the post.