Hoping there is someone out there who can help me with suggestions of where to base for a one week stay in Malta. We arrive fairly early in the day on Friday Sept 25 and would like to jump on the ferry and head over to Gozo for the first 3 or 4 nights, then back to Malta for the remaining 3 or 4 nights. Our flights out are very early on Saturday morning, October 2nd. I have watched a few videos about Gozo and aside from there not being as many "must-sees", I think I'd prefer to spend more time there than on the main island, but where to base? We will be hiking and exploring - don't want to rent a car so we will use Bolt or a private driver as necessary. Best to stay in the area close to the ferry or head into Victoria? Prefer quiet, restful space vs busy city.
Returning to Malta, and with an eye to the fact that we have to be at the airport super early on the last day, what are the better options there? Assuming it would be in Valletta, but since nothing is a long drive from the airport, we are open to other possibilities.
We will be looking for 2 bedroom apartments, as opposed to hotels, as we are two older gals who like our space.
Appreciate any and all comments/suggestions/questions!
Posted by
150 posts
First thing: Public transport network via busses on Malta and Gozo works quite well and is very cheap - might help in keeping the cost for private transport down.
On Gozo, Victoria is probably still a good idea - it is not exactly a buzzing place, but the infrastructure regarding restaurants etc. is the best on the Island. The town at the ferry harbor can work as well, but depending on what you want to do might be less convenient (it worked well for us a couple of years ago, in particular for going to Comino it is super convenient).
Recommendation for the beach in Ramla bay btw. It is stunning landscape even if you do not want to swim.
Speaking of swimming: Are you planning to? Malta can still be hot at that time. Ramla on Gozo is good for this purpose, or the saltpans near Marsalforn. On Malta, you will have to stick to the north: Mellieha or Tuffieha.
On the main island, Valletta is good to stay (but busy), Mdina/Rabat is nice but further from the airport, and maybe some place in between like Qormi or Birkirkaia - Corinthia Palace there was nice but might be expensive.
You should visit Valletta at least once though, possibly as a day trip - and try a gondola / „water taxi“ to senglea.
Similar recommendation for Mdina and Dingli cliffs, which can be combined as a day trip.
Posted by
6535 posts
I liked staying in Valletta, and it is the transport hub, but the island is so small you can really choose whatever floats your boat.
On Gozo, we rented a nice apartment in Xlendi and walked across the island, so the advice for Malta goes double for Gozo, I’d base the selection on apartments and restaurants.
Posted by
OP
Eden, Utah
66 posts
Thank you both for the great input - I have decided on an apartment with Xlendi views on Gozo (really appreciate the perspective of being able to walk across the entire island from there valadelphia - have you been EVERYWHERE?). Found a lovely apartment in Sliema for the remainder of our time. Seems nothing is all that far from the airport so I went with a place with a great view and walkable to everything. My biggest challenge continues to be finding 2BR apartments that don't have twin beds in one of the rooms, but that is such a first-world problem.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
9131 posts
We actually will be in Malta for four nights, on the the way to Sicily in late April. Our thought is more of a scouting visit. We settled on Valletta, mainly for the old town, plus easy connections to surrounding towns and the airport.
My impression from research, is if you want some beach and coast, just relaxing, then there are lots of options, but if you are looking for a bit of nightlife and day trips, you want to be in one of the more urban centers, Valletta as good as any.