Its also worth booking well ahead for popular Michelin-starred restaurants like Vallettas Noni, especially during Maltas busiest travel months from July to August. We are serious foodies and love art and music, however not in love with big crowds..and he loves to swim and snorkelso perhaps looking at June? Taking into consideration the fact that getting around from one spot to another does take some time, you also dont want to squeeze too many places into your daily itinerary. Valletta. Veggies are affordable and theres a wide variety of western and local foods. Also take extra care with belongings when swimming and sunbathing on all beaches, as occasional opportunistic thefts do occur. Malta is the smallest country in the European Union. While not mandatory, the Maltese government still recommends masks be worn when attending large gatherings. Jump To: Must-Have Experiences | Off The Beaten Path | Pros | Cons | Transport | Visas | Health | Weather | MORE Malta BLOGS. Fewer tourists will give a better experience at the top attractions If you were to be on a super tight budget, you could get by on 58 ($65) / day for a couple or around 36 ($40) for a solo traveller. Share it with your friends! All rights reserved. Getting from one point to another will take longer than it should, and you should just be aware of it. The best time for weather to visit Malta is June through to August when the temperatures are around 25-27 degrees Celsius. Wine bars are a great place to enjoy the evening and meet some locals. Beers are also cheap and you can basically drink all day in Malta without breaking the midrange budget (not that you should drink all day). Particularly, dont miss the half-off deal at the Country Terrace Restaurant in Mgarr on Gozo truly an amazing bargain. You cant help but to notice that religion is strong in the country and the people are proud of their religious beliefs. If youre looking for an incredibly diverse travel destination, look no further than Montana! Visit the old capital of Mdina Source: Damian Pankowiec / Shutterstock.com Old Capital Of Mdina Mdina is the ancient capital of Malta and sits of a scenic hill in the center of the island. Gozo is a particularly popular location for rock climbing, thanks to its steep cliffs, and mountain biking thanks to its quiet roads and excellent hill climbs. Check out the Malta Facebook Group to find out about fun things going on during your visit. The locals will help you every step of the way and the country feels very secure and easy to travel in. You can organise day trips, combining a visit to, for example,Mdinawith visiting theTarxien Temples, rather than losing half the day on travelling to a single location. Gorgeous natural harbor with lots of historical significance. I have much respect for Maltas beaches because they are seriously gorgeous, but theres SO much more to this island. Surprisingly, locally produced wine and beer is typically the same price, if not more expensive than the imports because its not mass-produced so there are high costs for manufacturing. The fact that English is Maltas second official language obviously helps and takes away a language barrier that many guests to other holiday destinations face time and again. How do you get there? Visit ancient temples or head to the trendiest nightclubs. Youd be crazy to try to navigate the public transport system without the Google Maps app, which truly makes getting around the islands a breeze. Traffic is often very busy, and local drivers can regard indicators for signaling a turn as optional. I enjoyed reading this guide, thanks for sharing. All rights reserved. You will pretty much find everything youre looking for in Tower and Scotts grocery stores in Sliema and there are good supermarkets in most other major towns around the country. This place is great for picnics, barbecues or just to hike around during the day. It is just over 110 miles south of the Italian island of Sicily, 241 miles east of the Northern African country of Tunisia, and 283 miles north of Libya. The buses themselves are clean and air-conditioned. Malta is one of the most religious countries in Europe with over 98% of citizens being Roman Catholic. The Valletta station is just a 20 minute ride from Sliema and then most places are within an hour ride from there. Try to catch a show at Teatru Manoel, check out the Upper Barrakka Gardens, go inside St. Johns Co-Cathedral and plan a night out at one of the many bars on Strait Street. You'll find prehistoric temples, fossil-studded cliffs, hidden coves, thrilling scuba diving and a history of remarkable intensity. Other than that we had a good experience with them. Winter temperatures in Malta are mild, with average highs of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 50 degrees. The absolute best time to visit Malta (for weather) is in the fall (September October), when the weather cools, the sea is still warm from the summer heat and some of the crowds have left. Youre planning a trip to an amazing place and there are many pros to travelling Malta. The people are traditionally kind-hearted and usually go out of their way to make guests feel at home. Its not easy to get bored in Malta, with a large number ofthings to doand see. Was this article helpful? There are some great restaurants included with discounts of up to 50%. You may have to wait 20 minutes sometimes while your bus driver has a smoke or sneaks off for lunch mid-journey, but other than that the public transport is pretty much flawless for travellers. Youll just have to pick a few activities that you dont want to miss and plan to come back time and time again. I personally am not really a fan of rabbit, so it wasnt something we often ordered (although I tried it 3 times), but our Maltese friends and likely most visitors would agree that its a delicious dish. Its hard to completely avoid the busy traffic of Sliema because many of the most popular restaurants and bars are along the main street, but stepping back at least gets you into a quieter atmosphere. 2. Top End: $100 - $1,000+ (89 - 890) / day. Gozo is an excellent location for families, couples and elderly who prefer having a peaceful holiday with beautiful beaches and countryside views. Content Fort Saint Elmo Catacombs and cathedral in Mdina Some seriously blue seas await Traces of Caravaggio The cuisine The scuba diving Dwejra Bay Comino The wine Ggantija Temples Malta is a great place to explore on two legs, especially around Valletta and in the hilltop walled city of Mdina. There is little or no internet censorship in the country and data is also very fast and reliable. You travel in from the UK armed with your sunglasses, sun-cream and cardigan in case it is 'a bit cooler' and then try not to self-piteously laugh as you sit there naively applying your cream whilst marvelling at the local you just noticed, casually strolling by all wrapped up in a coat, scarf and hat. High-standard health and dental care is readily available, and Maltese pharmacists can give advice and sell a wide range of over-the-counter medications. If you have tipping engrained in your soul and must leave a percentage every time you go out for a meal, make it 5 10%. Visas are widely accepted at restaurants, bars, grocery stores and gas stations. What sets Malta apart from the rest and makes the island nation a must-see holiday destination? Moreover, unlike most travel destinations, you can visit a large number of fascinatingmuseums and attractionsthat testify to Maltas rich and turbulent history within a relatively small area. The site is ginormous, and it takes the better part of a day of exploring to see it. It can also lead you to places you wouldnt have seen otherwise, which is exactly why I enjoyed my bus rides in Malta so much. The traditional pastizzis, Lampuki Pie (fish pie), Rabbit Stew, Bragioli (beef olives), Kapunata, (Maltese version of ratatouille), and widows soup arent exactly the healthiest concoctions, but theyre cooked with love and when done right, are bursting with flavour. Thank you! We found our apartment through ShortLetsMalta.com and they have a great selection of properties around the country with no annoying fees and excellent service. If you visit Malta and dont make any Maltese friends, you have to go back! It lets you experience the everyday life of the locals and allows you to see things from a different angle. And Malta has enough traffic for a country twice its size, so Valletta and other walled cities in the country make for the perfect escape. The temples only take about an hour to explore and are very interesting. The relatively short distances, convenient bus routes and road signs make it relatively easy to find your way around usingpublic transportor a hired car if you prefer to explore the islands by yourself. Its true, the proximity to the African deserts and the limestone foundation of these islands means that there is hardly a tree, river or green space in sight. The app will then allow you to access the map offline and even track where you are on the screen. Why should you visit Malta instead of any other Mediterranean holiday destination? There are cash exchange booths all around the country, you can take out cash from your credit or debit card at any of the Plus, Cirrus, Maestro or Union Pay ATMs around Malta. Could people please give me a a rough price guide, and recomend things 2 do while im over there and also how far is it to the best beaches and the closest towns Report inappropriate content As a pedestrian, also never assume that local drivers will stop for you at pedestrian crossings. They are honest, kind and have a great sense of humour. Save big on sightseeing with iSeeMalta, with hop-on/hop-off buses and boats, combo tickets for museums and the ferry to the Blue Lagoon! On the other hand, it also means that some things like getting your food at a restaurant can take a little longer than what youre used to, so be patient. Outside of Maltas most built-up areas, driving is much less stressful, and having a car makes getting around Gozo and to Maltas more remote beaches and destinations much easier. Most Maltese people probably prefer the latter. Three of these things will fill you up. Lock your car and dont leave anything of value inside. In August, as in much of Europe, many locals leave for their own summer holidays. Malta is home to the oldest manmade standing structures in the world, has had an incredible history and displays it proudly in all of its walled cities and ancient ruins. Just a few steps from the major tourist trail and youll find yourself away from most other travellers. For more information and tips for visiting Maltas festas, read here. Although you shouldnt panic too much about it (because theres nothing you can do), it is something to consider when planning your Malta itinerary. Here are a few things you should know. At the top end of the budget scale, the sky is the limit. The Great Siege of Malta: In the spring of 1565, a massive fleet of Ottoman ships descended on Malta, a small island centrally located between North Africa and Sicily, home and headquarters of the crusading Knights of St. John and their charismatic Grand Master, Jean de Valette. The food in Malta is as tasty as it is over-portioned. Malta feels very safe to travel in and indeed, there have been little or no instances of violence against tourists. I'm a passionate traveler obsessed with traveling in Europe and discovering hidden gems in each place I visit. Typically entrance fees vary between 3.5 and 30 / person. Weve only listed a few. and Malta. You wont be offending anyone and that is considered generous. Experience the best activities, attractions, and places to visit on Malta's laid-back sister island. *This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission (for more info, read mydisclosure). Visiting Malta can be inexpensive and like some places in Eastern Europe ( Bulgaria & Macedonia) your travel budget can range very widely. There are also numerous boat tours available from Triq it-Torri street in Sliema. (Unsubscribe at any time!). Check out my Malta photo diary for some extra inspiration and consider Malta for your next girls trip! Especially when driving around Maltas main urban conurbation (incorporating Valletta, Sliema and St Julians),its worth channeling a confident approach to getting behind the wheel. Alcohol is very inexpensive for travellers visiting Malta when compared to the cost in the US, UK and Canada. Home Malta holidays guide Why visit Malta? Jump To: Must-see Places | Off The Beaten Path | Pros | Cons | Transport | Visas | Health | MORE Malta BLOGS. And some more traffic. Escape the worst of the cold this winter by heading to Europes southern reaches, where the wam sun shines year round. Maltese people are extremely hospitable, theyre always interested in travellers, they speak English very well (English is an official language of Malta), and they love to go out for wine and cheese platters! Copyright 2023 Goats On The Road | GOTR Media LLC. Without a doubt, Malta is to a meat and cheese platter what Italy is to pasta. Most materials needed for outdoor sports are available for rent at a low price and there are various locations on the islands where these sports can be exercised. Disclaimer: GoatsOnTheRoad.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The water is safe to drink (although its chemical laden and not tasty) and the food preparation methods are very good, with high standards and clean kitchens. Travelers no longer need to complete a digital Passenger Locator Form (PLF) but must present either a vaccine certificate, a recent negative PCR test or COVID recovery certificate upon arrival. Malta is the main island where most of the tourist attractions can be found while Gozo has a more relaxed and nature-like atmosphere. I also found the waters around Malta had a lot of jellyfish, it mightve been to do with the time of the year I was there (July). Previous Engagement (2006): A married woman (Juliet Stevenson) goes on vacation and spends some time visiting Malta to keep a date she made 25 years earlier with her first lover (Tchky Karyo). For English-speaking tourists this means that communication forms little or no problem, which is an important benefit. Most archeological sites only preserve parts of a citadel, but here much of the city is on display. GOAT NOTE: Rating a country is completely subject to ones own opinion, so any rating system should be taken with a grain of salt. Wine production in Malta dates back two thousand years to the time of the Phoenicians and there are some very tasty varieties. The highlights? Note: While you can use basic map and GPS functions in the Google Maps App offline by downloading the map, youll need data or wifi to look up directions and bus timetables within the app. No matter how busy their lives are, they always try to make time for friends, family and of course, food (Maltese suffer from some of the highest obesity rates in the world). Its not just about the most popular beaches in Malta, however. Fresh fish is well-priced at fish mongers and fish markets around Malta. This is best done from Sliema, Valletta or the Dingli Cliffs. Like many other towns in Malta, Qormi has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. Malta is within the Schengen Area which includes 22 European Union member states and four non-members who are members of EFTA: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Your email address will not be published. Even some small pastizzi shops and kebab shops will accept visa, but most of the time youll be expected to pay cash at smaller places like that. Malta averages over 300 sunny days a year - which is among the highest rates in all of Europe. You can either ask the locals or if youre more adventurous have a look at satellite imaging on Google Maps and find your way! The largest is Malta, the medium one is Gozo, and Comino is a tiny spot you'll only visit on a day trip. If youre like us and are from North America, dont bring your crazy tipping habits to Malta! This budget is not including the price of tours and entrances, so you could add that onto your proposed budget based on how often you plan to do activities. Only 80 visitors / day are allowed in the Hypogeum. With a strong Roman Catholic heritage, Maltese society remains largely conservative. Traditional Maltese platters with cheese, meat, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, beans and bread are usually around 14 ($15.70) and can pretty much fill up two people. If you ever hear anyone tell you that Malta is a small place that doesnt need much time, dont listen to them! This is thanks to a reduction in the summer crowds, yet seas still plenty-warm enough for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The seaside town of Xlendi is a popular tourist destination as well, offering a beautiful view of its bay surrounded by high cliffs. Big Money Saving Tip: Pick up the Malta Discount Card for huge savings on restaurant meals. As in the UK and most Commonwealth countries, drivers need to stick to the left-hand side of the road. Many international airlines have flights to Malta International Airport from across Europe and beyond, especially in summer. Before leaving home, book a walking tour with Offbeat Malta Food Trails for when you first arrive in Malta. If you go for traditional rabbit stew or steak, youll pay around 25 ($28). Spectacular things are happening in the skies throughout the year. Theweather in Maltais one of the major reasons over a million tourist visit the Maltese islands, and for good reason. Aside from some British holiday makers and a healthy expat community, Malta remains a place undiscovered by mass tourism when compared to other beach destinations in Europe. Note: kids under 6 years old are not permitted inside the Hypogeum. The buses themselves are clean and air-conditioned. Top 10 Reasons why you should visit Malta A holiday in Malta is on many European traveller's wish lists but is one of the travel options people often know little about, as opposed to popular holiday destinations such as France, Spain, Italy and Greece. Heres all you need to know before your trip to Malta. If you want to travel around Malta (which I fully recommend), both Sliema and Valletta (the capital)are cities from which you can take day trips. The cheapest bottle of wine we found was around 2. If theres a bit of rain, laneways and plazas can also become slippery, and are probably not best negotiated in a pair of sandals or flip-flops. There are a few ways to visit these islands: Cruises from Sliema youll see plenty of signs in the ferry area promoting these cruises (and dont forget to use these helpful cruise apps if you choose to take one). Is Malta a good place to visit for sightseeing addicts? You'll find the most flights from the UK and Italy. Aside from green space due to overdevelopment on the main island, this place has it all and yet if you tell most people youre visiting Malta, their first question will be: Get here before the word gets out, because if the world knew how fascinating this place was, it would be as crowded as Rome, Paris and Dubrovnik. Jump To: Must-see Places | Off The Beaten Path | Pros | Transport | Visas | Health | Weather | MORE Malta BLOGS. You can buy your ticket directly from the driver (unlike many big European cities in which you need to buy it in advance and the bus driver wont even look at you). When youre connected to WiFi, open the app, zoom over the entire archipelago and then type OK maps into the search. Booking ahead online before arriving in Malta is highly recommended. Built on a peninsula in the eastern part of the country, with a population around 6000, the entire town is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Yes! 40 Amazing Things to do on Gozo Island, Malta Last updated: January 3, 2023 Gozo, Malta A detailed travel guide featuring 40 of the best things to do on Gozo Island, Malta. It included paying for a very nice apartment in Sliema going out with friends 3 or 4 times / week, cooking for ourselves and taking mostly public transport with the odd taxi. If possible, look for a taxi station instead of catching one on the street. Malta in October People often ask if Europe in October is a good destination. Somehow this small rock bobbing in the Mediterranean Sea has managed to stay off the radar for most travellers. Most of the larger hotels offer indoor pools, gyms and tennis courts, which comes in handy if you like to stay active when the weather isnt very inviting to go out.
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