We have visited Malta for the last 4yrs for 1 week each February, always staying in the Bugibba area. Whilst I can't say I hate it - neither can I say I love it either...
As far as value for money goes, it's slightly cheaper to eat and drink than Cyprus, which is where I now live. Hotel accommodation is very reasonably priced for the mid range 3 to 4 star and older hotels. Newer, modern hotels are more expensive and rightly so, as they are far superior to the older ones. However, all we have stayed in have been clean and comfortable.
We prefer Qawra end of Bugibba as there is more going on and is more compact. However, Sliema is a favourite resort as you can look across the water to Valetta and take a short hop across by water taxi. We also really like St Julians area too.
We've visited Mdina (the Silent City), Mosta, Valetta and hope soon to take trip to Gozo as I haven't been there for about 10yrs now. It would be good to see it again. We would also like to take the trip to Sicily at some time in the future.
Shopping for tourist presents, wine, sweets, snacks etc is easy. There are some good shops in Sliema and also Valetta, which are only about 20 - 30 mins by bus from Bugibba. The shops in Bugibba are mainly tourist shops and we have only seen 1 real supermarket there.
In Bugibba/Qawra there are lots of bars which offer entertainment most evenings - mainly singers, comediens etc. When we go in February, it's mainly pensioners from UK who are on long stay holidays so they are perfectly happy with the fact there is something to watch whilst they sit in the bars. In St Julian & St Pauls there are more bars and clubs.
Malta has a fantastic bus service and most journeys cost around LM0.50c. They have set prices for each area you travel to. The exchange rate when they joined the Euro was set at €2.26 to the LM1 so a bus ride now costs on average €1.13 each person.
We always take a taxi from the airport (pre-booked) with a company in Bugibba. We pay less than €35 for a return journey. Most hotels & apartments will tell you they can book a return taxi for you for €50, so beware! With the poor £ to € exchange rate that's almost £15 more.
All in all I think Malta is more of a couple's holiday. The beaches in the area we visit are mainly rocky although I know there are some better beaches further North.
Apparently, it has some good scuba diving areas but we will certainly not be trying that in February!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I agree, I found it a bit scruffy too. As for the people, I found them to be rather unfriendly (mainly young people I'll add). Cyprus is MUCH nicer! Lexy
hollywoodmum 02.06.2009 11:04
Good first review, could do with more detail. I've always fancied Malta just not had the chance yet.
torr 02.06.2009 10:53
Welcome to Ciao. Pretty good first review there, though personally I would have liked to see more detail (about Valletta in particular).
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Jun 2nd, 2009
very helpful by (50%):
helpful by (50%):
