I have about a week off between RS tours and am planning on seeing Malta for part of my time. While I want to get a pretty good sense of Malta, I don't want to spend too much time there as I have a few sights to see before my second tour starts in another country. My main interests are the neolithic and medieval structures on both Malta and Gozo. So far I have read the Insight Guides book on Malta and several websites such as "Visit Malta." For those who have been there, I have a couple of questions: 1) I prefer not to drive, as you look at my itinerary I think the HOHO bus on Malta would get me where I want to go, while a bus tour on Gozo would also allow me not to drive--is that correct? and does that seem a reasonable way to get around? 2) I was planning to stay in Valletta so any good hotel recommendations? (Insight Guides was a little skimpy there IMHO!) 3) There are two ways to see Gozo, take a ferry over then HOHO bus around the island or a day long tour which includes lunch, a cruise around the harbor etc (and costs more.) Any opinions on the best way to see the island? 4) I was thinking of arriving in Malta by about 9am on Wed and leaving in the early afternoon on Saturday--given one day on Gozo, some time in Vallette, some time in Mdina/points north and the neolithic sites Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temple in the southern part of Malta, is that enough time? (Tentatively: Wed, HOHO to points North on Malta; Thurs, Gozo; Fri, HOHO points South on Malta; Sat, enjoy a bit of Vallette and fly out. Looking at the schedules I have seen so far, I could leave early in the morning on Sat, which would be my preference, but the flights really don't get me to Brussels until mid afternoon anyway, so might as well spend the morning in Vallette.) Appreciate any insights in my questions, additional thoughts or good wishes. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1559 posts
Not sure I can help with the bus side of things.
I was just in Malta a month ago. Arrived Wed afternoon and departed early Sunday. I rented a car at the airport and drove directly to the ferry terminal and go to Gozo. Spent the night and the next day driving around Gozo and then back to Malta - stayed 2 nights in St. Julians (had free parking at the hotel) - spent one day in Valletta including taking the boat to Vittorioso. Next morning drove around the south of the island before ending up in Mdina.
Got lucky as there was a big religious festival in Rabat (city connected to Mdina) that evening - really amazing.
Some of my observations:
- car rental in Malta is very cheap ($100-150 for 4 days)
- I went to the Giganta temples in Gozo - an absolute waste of money IMO. Just some old weather beaten rocks that is hard to appreciate. The windmill that you get admission to with the same ticket was much more worthwhile seeing.
- saw quite a few tourists in Gozo doing the day trip from Malta - lots of buses waiting for them once the ferry docked
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4059 posts
Municipal buses will take you to many parts of the main island and you can work out your own route rather than being confined to a HoHo circuit. A HoHo ride right after arrival can help with orientation.
Posted by
OP
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
Thanks for the comments. I may switch to municipal buses, and will consider that more. I looked at HOHO because they go everywhere I want to go (and lots more places besides.) Again, I tend to focus on history/art/neolithic sites and don't go as much for beaches etc. If everything is as close as I've read it is on Malta, I think I can get it all done at a relaxing pace (I hope.) I don't like driving in Europe (or elsewhere) anymore and will likely stick to alternate transportation (although I'm sure Malta is one of the better places to drive.) Any opinions on hotels? TIA and appreciate the information provided.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
We stayed at the Preluna Hotel, on the waterfront in Sliema. Bus to Valletta stops right outside the door., and will take you to the terminal for the buses to almost everywhere in Malta, just outside the Valletta gates. Suggest you check it out.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Malta is not one of the better places to drive for me because they drive left.