Holidays in Malta: my experience and reviews of tourists - 2020

Gozo port

My trip: early October
Term: 10 days
Company: 2 people

We discovered Malta in a very banal way - air tickets to Valletta turned out to be the cheapest for the required dates.

We had "modest" wishes: Europe, inexpensive flight, sun, sea, there is something to see. October Malta responded positively to all these points. What kind of rest we did and what I would advise myself in the future - read in this report 🙂

Visa for Malta

A valid Schengen visa of any country is suitable for visiting the island.

If you are going to do exactly the Maltese version, then be prepared for the fact that the first visa will be issued strictly for the dates of the trip. In terms of cost, a visa to Malta consists of: € 35 for a consular fee + 2090 rubles for a service fee (when applying at a visa center).

Weather in Malta - when to go?

We took such a red car in Malta, I'll tell you more about the rental below

As in all of southern Europe, Malta is hot in summer. However, not only in terms of the weather, but also in terms of the influx of students eager to improve their English. Therefore, I advise you to postpone your beach vacation to spring or autumn. Although the season in Malta lasts from May to the end of October, it is more comfortable and freer to swim in the fall.

In spring, high humidity is possible due to winds from Africa, but even in winter in Malta, according to tourists, temperatures are quite comfortable.

We were on the island in the first half of October. We swam, sunbathed, walked all day. Rains during this period are not frequent and even bring their own flavor to the local landscapes and architecture.

Malta Monthly Weather:

He's driving to Gozo

The cost of tours to Malta - 2020

Now from math. In practice, an independent approach is cheaper for a trip to Malta. Look.

Given: 2 economical people, the desire to live in at least two parts of the island in pleasant hotels + to see Malta itself, of course.

Solution (prices are per person):

• We find air tickets on Aviasales. Direct and convenient on time Air Malta flight cost 13,000 rubles * with luggage.
  * this is in October, at the height of the season tickets cost 15,000-20,000 rubles.
• We select accommodation options on Booking or Airbnb. For 10 days I paid 18,500 rubles - for two different hotels with breakfasts.
  * but in general, "treshki" in Malta starts from 1500 rubles / night in a double room.
• Car rental on RentalCars is about € 50 / day, and if divided into two, then € 75 for 3 days.
• Personal expenses - tickets for public transport, food, water, shopping ...

... in total: it took me no more than 50,000 rubles in 10 days.

What do tour operators offer? If you are not completely indifferent to the choice of place of residence, then a vacation in Malta in 2020 for a voucher costs at least 75,000 rubles for two. Naturally, the offers do not include auto and "personal expenses", but if you like the idea, then I recommend watching tours to Malta directly from tour operators on the aggregators:

• Travelata
• Level.Travel
• Onlinetours

Lodging

This is what local houses look like / Small town of Birgu

Where to book:

• Booking - for hotels and hostels
• Airbnb - for rooms, apartments, apartments

After we have decided when is the best time to rest, we think about where it is better to live in Malta. Although it is compact, the parts of the island differ, both in mood and atmosphere, and in natural landscapes.

Peaceful vacation with children it is better to spend on the south coast, where sandy long beaches. More specifically, in the southwest there is a cool place Mellieha. There and those who go for relaxation. A minimum of entertainment (maximum one cafe on the beach), but gorgeous views, many wild bays and opportunities for personal sunsets. There are few hotels - mostly apartments. I haven’t come across huge chain hotel territories at all - and thank God! Well, a vacation in Malta, even an all-inclusive one, shouldn't fit under the hashtag # turkey2020!

More active in entertainment look for the area in the north: Sliema, St. Julian's Bay, Aura, Valletta, Bugibba.

If you want to plunge into the life of locales and almost do not cross with tourists, you can live in Birkirkara - the area is remote from the sea and apart from churches it has nothing attractive for the crowds of tourists.

Hotels in terms of prices and stars are ranked in the same way as in the whole of Southern Europe: "triplets" and "doubles" are very worthy, I recommend paying attention not to the stardom, but to look at the location, budget, reviews and your needs for services.

We shared accommodation:

• to a quieter Bugibba at the 4 * Canifor Hotel
• and on Sliema at Hibernia Residence & Hostel

The hotels are simple and pleasant - on decent, as they say, minimal salaries with breakfasts and free Wi-Fi.

Beaches in Malta

My favorite beach is Golden Bay

The first thing to remember is that sandy beaches are a luxury in Malta. Most beaches have rocks. Not the usual small pebbles, but rocky flat terraces, like platforms. On the north and central coast, the entrance to the water is equipped with stairs.

I cannot say that this is bad. Yes, not very soft, but clean, in some moments more comfortable and beautiful in its own way. Malta, according to tourist reviews for 2020, has the bluest and cleanest lagoons in Europe, and I completely share this opinion!

I rent the best beaches in Malta for diving: Cape Delimara (Marsaxlokk) and the Blue Hole in Dweira (Gozo Island) - there are often a handful of professional divers exploring reefs, caves, sunken ships.

Best beaches and bays for sand lovers:

My favorite is Golden Bay, especially in the afternoon.
From Budjiba to the eastern part of the island - only stones, if you find sand, it will be dirty.

Attractions and entertainment

Valletta and Mdina

Top attractions in Malta:

• Valetta - the capital of Malta. If you do not live there, then combine the walk with the towns of Birgu, Senglea, Cospikula lying across the bay, which can be reached by water taxi. If it is not very hot, then I advise you to go around on foot. Maltese houses, completely different doors and windows of houses are already an attraction. By the way, every house in Malta has a name! In addition to the streets in Valletta, there are cathedrals. We found them "by touch", but often they turned out to be closed. Noteworthy points:
  - Upper and Lower Barakka Gardens
  - the old fort of Sant'Angelo
  - Spinola Bay and flocks of colorful boats (it is better to leave it at sunset)
  - Palace of the Grand Master
  - Cathedral of St. John
  - Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria.
  - plus, not far from Valletta are the unusual underground burial chambers of Hal-Saflieni.
• Mdina and Rabat - the ancient capital of Malta and the suburbs. It seemed to us that these are extinct cities. For a complete sense of mystery, you can visit the Torture Museum in Medina. There are almost no tourists here, again the main cathedral is closed (who knows why ...), but we liked it. Especially nice for photography lovers. The whole day is not worth highlighting, we were passing through, but the sightseeing tour of Mdina in Malta is popular.

Went to Dingli Cliffs

• Dingli cliffs Is an incredibly beautiful place where public transport does not go. From here you can see an arched natural window in the rock, from the category of the famous collapsed window on Gozo.

Marsaxlokk

• Marsaxlokk Is a fishing-port town, a kind of provincial version of Nice, where instead of yachts there are colorful boats. Group excursions are also organized here.
• Chinese Gardens - a park in the best Chinese traditions and decorations: bamboos, palm trees, in general, if on your own, you can call on the way, for example, from Valletta to Marsaxlokk.
• Sweethaven Village (Sweethaven Village) or Popeye Village is a solid scenery for the comedy of the same name. Probably, it will be more interesting for children or those who like to take pictures. Actors who will entertain you "live" in the village. The entrance ticket costs € 11, which includes a 15-minute boat ride around the bay.

Chinese Gardens and streets of Rabat

• On the island of gozo I advise you to go WITHOUT a car. You can't do without a guided tour, and that's why we took this one online on the advice of local experts. We listened to interesting things about the island.
  On the way to Gozo lies the islet of Comino, where tourists are attracted by the blue lagoon and the underwater world. Nice, of course, but in fact, tourist reviews do not support the opinion of the lagoon as the best in Malta. Diving is recommended in the Blue Hole on the island of Gozo. Diving here is distinguished, first of all, by the crystal clarity of the water and good visibility. Overhanging rocks, grottoes and tunnels stir the blood. There is also an underwater statue of Christ.

Transport in Malta

On the road to the Dingli cliffs (in the background - Rabat)

There are three options for moving around the island: buses, taxis and a rented car.

From the airport, it is most convenient to immediately rent a car, or take a bus. The terminal has a special lounge for waiting public transport. Walks regularly. Prices in Malta for public transport - from 2 euros, the ticket is valid all day.

Taxis are waiting on the street, or you can call them via Uber (a ride from the airport to the city center will cost € 20).

There is a ferry to Gozo (Cirkewwa depot bus stop). Departs approximately every 40 minutes. Travel time is about 25 minutes. A round trip ticket for an adult is € 5.82, for children from 3 to 12 years old - € 1.15, for one passenger with a car - € 15.70.

How did we rent a car?

The question "What to see in Malta?" disappears immediately after the decision to rent a car. All thanks to the compactness of the island - in 3 days you can safely explore all the top locations, and while you are on the way, observe the untouched by man. Malta is one solid view!

Car rental in Malta will cost about € 50- € 70 / day. It is clear that it is more profitable to take for more days. So, for € 150 for 3 days we rented, probably, the brightest red Hyundai Getz i10 on the island.

Booked in advance on RentalCars, at the office they asked us: a driver's license, about € 25 insurance (for drivers under 25 years old is required) and a deposit of € 100. A full tank of petrol cost € 20. After the decision to extend the lease for a day, they added another € 10. In total, in three days we rolled the whole island up and down!

• The first thing to remember and preferably not to forget is left-hand traffic. Although you quickly get used to it. The roads are new, clean, level, the drivers behave decently and respectfully - my first rental experience was more than successful.
• Second: parking areas marked in yellow are prohibited for parking, parking is allowed on white ones.
• Third: in the narrow streets of cities, there are often "bricks" that the navigator may not know about, and there may not be other ways. I hope this will not be read by the Malta Traffic Police, because we have collected, if not all, then almost everything. I resigned myself to future fines or non-refund of bail, but apparently there were no cameras anywhere. As well as the fines subsequently, and the bail was returned within two to three weeks.
• And fourth: in Malta the streets are very narrow. The alarmists will be uncomfortable. Or, as an option, do not enter the city.

Malta prices

Local hummus with capers, olives and sausages / Well, your favorite pasta with pizza 🙂

Holidays in Malta can really be spent with a "compact" budget, since the prices for 2020 are still adequate. I don't remember what would be very expensive or much cheaper than in the whole of Southern Europe, no.

• Pizza - € 6— € 13
• Seafood platter - from € 18
• Local pastries - € 0.2 to € 0.8

Huge portions, of course, have not been canceled. Due to the English past, the food is understandable and familiar - a lot of meat, steaks. It was adopted even more from the Italians, but the Maltese did not achieve a superior degree either in pizza or in pasta delights ... The only thing is gelato, and the locals have it all worked out with him. The most memorable was with citric acid - strange, but delicious.

The local trump card is baked goods. Not a day went by without pastitions: puff pastry stuffed with ricotta, soft peas or cheese. And never leave without trying lampouki, the fish pie, and bigilla, the hummus-like snack. The latter is often served with the main course, served with biscuits. The most interesting drink is kinnie - a soda made from bitter oranges.

Reviews of tourists

First my own.

The Republic of Malta is an island lost in the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and Africa, where almost every second location is marked by UNESCO, and a dozen of wild and not so beaches - the Blue Flag status.

Apparently, due to the status of a link between the two continents in the past, a bright mutual support of local color, postcoloniality and the atmosphere of a youth get-together is palpable. In architecture, in food and in the youthful blood that sets the pulse for the whole island.

It pulsates mainly in the schools of the English language (which is considered the second official language), which are popular because of the high quality of teaching and reasonable prices not only for education, but also for leisure in their free time. Schools are adapted for any age, just find out if they have a state license from the Ministry of Education of Malta and if they are part of FELTOM - an independent Federation of English Language Teaching Organizations.

Malta is an exotic European vacation (which of your friends was in Malta? :)) and at the same time very affordable in all aspects.

I, frankly, have not seen any reviews about a vacation in Malta from the category “I didn’t like it, I don’t recommend it”.

Well, seriously, this is:

+ short flight (direct and inexpensive)

+ beaches for every taste

+ thousands of our favorite churches and cathedrals and no less beloved narrow authentic streets

+ noisy parties and wild quiet bays

+ more than our tourist needs sunny days a year

+ there is no need to additionally change the currency and spend all your savings to try and see everything - Malta, again, is compact in all respects, which increases the quality of rest.