Page 5 | Malta - is it just me that didn't really like it?

NCTDN · 2024-08-07T08:06:59+00:00

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)

bruffin · 01/05/2025 20:37

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 01/05/2025 18:35

I enjoyed it @Advocodo , although a little bit too hot for me in late September which slowed the amount of walking I did. Funnily enough I have been pondering a return visit recently too.

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

I only scratched the surface but as well as Valletta I did visit Birgu, Mdina, Rabat and Marsaxlokk, using the great public bus system (ferry for Birgu). I would definitely stay in Valletta again if I return.

You must have been there the same time as us last year 23rd sept to 3rd october. The few days before we arrived it has been really heavy downpour. It reached 30 befoe we left which was too hot for us to walk too much.
We went back in March this year and it was really pleasant. We stayed in Mdina this time in one of the houses by the cathedral, it was lovely apart from the bells!

Advocodo · 01/05/2025 20:45

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 01/05/2025 18:35

I enjoyed it @Advocodo , although a little bit too hot for me in late September which slowed the amount of walking I did. Funnily enough I have been pondering a return visit recently too.

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

I only scratched the surface but as well as Valletta I did visit Birgu, Mdina, Rabat and Marsaxlokk, using the great public bus system (ferry for Birgu). I would definitely stay in Valletta again if I return.

Thanks for replying. Think I need to go. How was the food? I like trying different cuisines.

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 01/05/2025 20:55

bruffin · 01/05/2025 20:37

You must have been there the same time as us last year 23rd sept to 3rd october. The few days before we arrived it has been really heavy downpour. It reached 30 befoe we left which was too hot for us to walk too much.
We went back in March this year and it was really pleasant. We stayed in Mdina this time in one of the houses by the cathedral, it was lovely apart from the bells!

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Just checked and I was there 28/9-2/10. We probably passed each other trying to stick in the shade!

I bet it was lovely staying in Medina after the day visitors had left. I thought about going back one evening but too worn out with the heat. I think a second visit is definitely on the cards now!

bruffin · 01/05/2025 21:09

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 01/05/2025 20:55

Just checked and I was there 28/9-2/10. We probably passed each other trying to stick in the shade!

I bet it was lovely staying in Medina after the day visitors had left. I thought about going back one evening but too worn out with the heat. I think a second visit is definitely on the cards now!

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It was really lovely at night, so quiet apart from the bells every 15 minutes all through the night. We really liked Rabat as well , there was feast of St Joseph in March and all the streets and churches were lit up , and a free concert in the street on our last night.such a lovely atmosphere.

summerscomingsoon · 01/05/2025 21:14

Went about 25 years ago wouldn't go back. Beaches rubbish. Valletta lovely but imo there are so many better places with a mix of great beaches hotelsfood and things to see.

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 01/05/2025 21:19

Advocodo · 01/05/2025 20:45

Thanks for replying. Think I need to go. How was the food? I like trying different cuisines.

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I recall lots of different restaurants in Valletta so I think you'd find a good choice especially if you eat meat and fish. I'm vegetarian and didn't go hungry, although again due to the weather stuck to mainly light stuff like salads and some nice fresh bakery sandwiches.

There were some good street food kiosks too, if you find yourself in Valletta bus station check out the kiosks the bus drivers are queuing at. I remember some tasty little snacks like peas in pastry.

elizabethbennet72 · 01/05/2025 21:22

Yep hated it. Building site sums it up.

GetMeOutOfHere20 · 01/05/2025 21:22

Went in 2005 untouched, beautiful, easy to get round on bus. So much history. Went in 2019, like a building site.

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 01/05/2025 21:37

That sounds really lovely @bruffin Well, aside from the bells all night which must have been hard going!

TurtlesDoNotPetsMake · 01/05/2025 21:49

Went there on a family holiday when I was young. DDad stood in the middle of the road with his hands on his hips and asked "Has it been bombed?"

CharlotteCChapel · 02/05/2025 03:51

My dad has threatened me with disinheritance if I go to Malta as they ignore rules on shooting songbirds.

My sister went years ago, before Dad knew about the birds, and said it was boring

Bjorkdidit · 02/05/2025 04:57

TurtlesDoNotPetsMake · 01/05/2025 21:49

Went there on a family holiday when I was young. DDad stood in the middle of the road with his hands on his hips and asked "Has it been bombed?"

Well yes it has. Malta's strategic location in the Mediterranean means it was extensively bombed and held under siege in the second world war. A lot of the damage is still visible today.

I find the shabbiness to be part of it's charm and an indicator of the island's history. Malta is not a beach destination or the sort of place that attracts hordes of beautiful people showing off for the Gram, although both are conspicuously abundant in places like Camino's Blue Lagoon.

But it has spectacular churches, interesting historical sites such as the Mosta Dome and adjacent war tunnels and many more, ancient ruins and excellent scuba diving.

It's like Spain incl Canaries and Balearics and likely other places. If you go to the busiest, most touristy places but that's not what you want, it presents a negative impression of the place that's unrepresentative of the country as a whole. I've been a few times and wouldn't go back to Sliema and would always avoid places like St Paul's Bay, but I love the quieter parts of the Island, mostly in the north, Gozo, Valetta, the history and Comino, if it was possible to go back to a time before the Insta crowd discovered it.

RampantIvy · 02/05/2025 06:58

CharlotteCChapel · 02/05/2025 03:51

My dad has threatened me with disinheritance if I go to Malta as they ignore rules on shooting songbirds.

My sister went years ago, before Dad knew about the birds, and said it was boring

Does she not enjoy history, culture, and sightseeing?

Apart from the bird issue, it sounds like I would like Malta. I'm not fussed about beaches. I would want to do a 2 centre holiday and visit Gozo as well.

bruffin · 02/05/2025 07:57

Bjorkdidit · 02/05/2025 04:57

Well yes it has. Malta's strategic location in the Mediterranean means it was extensively bombed and held under siege in the second world war. A lot of the damage is still visible today.

I find the shabbiness to be part of it's charm and an indicator of the island's history. Malta is not a beach destination or the sort of place that attracts hordes of beautiful people showing off for the Gram, although both are conspicuously abundant in places like Camino's Blue Lagoon.

But it has spectacular churches, interesting historical sites such as the Mosta Dome and adjacent war tunnels and many more, ancient ruins and excellent scuba diving.

It's like Spain incl Canaries and Balearics and likely other places. If you go to the busiest, most touristy places but that's not what you want, it presents a negative impression of the place that's unrepresentative of the country as a whole. I've been a few times and wouldn't go back to Sliema and would always avoid places like St Paul's Bay, but I love the quieter parts of the Island, mostly in the north, Gozo, Valetta, the history and Comino, if it was possible to go back to a time before the Insta crowd discovered it.

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Totally agree with this, although we stayed in Shliema and it was a great base for self catering and getting around , the ferry to Valletta takes 10 minutes.

pinapinacolada · 02/05/2025 10:02

I enjoyed it but wouldn't rush to return, because there are other places I'd probably choose. There is some gorgeous architecture and some lovely beaches too, food is good if you hunt down traditional Maltese. Good for a long weekend.