500+ Honeymoon. Its also a great destination for wine lovers, and it has many more surprises up its sleeve. World's 12 Best Vacation Destinations for Couples And yes, you can rent bikes in Malta, but I havent tried it myself. I really appreciate this, thank you very much. Because we dont plan to rent a car. Yes, it is. Plus, the main bus terminus is located just outside of the capital city. Pros: Malta is a place where relaxation is taken seriously. We like a hotel room where we can see the sea. Good for budget travellers looking for hostels and apartments. This would also be the best area to stay if youre spendingChristmas and New Years Eve in Malta. A list titled " The Best Holiday Destinations for Young Couples " wouldn't be complete without France or, more importantly, the City of Love itself. not all of Maltas top points of interest are directly connected by public transport, which means you have to switch buses. Jean McKenna . where would you recommend we stay. Claire. We would like to be in a location that has good dining and may have some nightlife (not a priority). Best Crete Romantic Destinations for couples | Cretico Hi Fionnuala, it sounds like St. Julians might be the best fit for you, since youll be near Paceville, which is the nightlife centre of Malta. According to your post Mellieha is the place to be. Hi Brian, Id recommend Port View Guesthouse Lovely location, modern and gets good reviews. Happy to recommend a place in Mgarr with a host whos very knowledgeable of local dive sites btw. Another thing that can make your journey across Malta slightly more frustrating is the traffic. That could be caused by the beach-lovers looking to stay as close toMelliea Bay as possible, but also because of the limited accommodation available. Here are the BEST Christmas vacation ideas for couples in 2022. . Hi I love the information you have on this site! I await your reply, and Thank-you very much. As Ive mentioned, Malta is steeped in history, so the landmarks you can visit are pretty incredible. Downsides: Touristy and busy in summer, very limited public parking, Mostly modern, small traditional village core. Gozo is much quieter than Malta and you would only stay there for the full duration of your trip if youre not too interested in exploring the island of Malta. From Sliema you can take the ferry to Valletta3) Mellieha is a good location if countryside exploration is more important, plus youd be staying in a village thats less touristy. If hanging out on the beach and sunbathing are your top priorities, these are the options to consider: If youre looking to backpack through Malta, these are a few suggestions to consider: A bunch of the better diving schools in Malta are located inSliemaand organise reasonably priced diving excursions to the best dive sites around the Maltese islands. Couples Holidays | Romantic Holidays | Jet2holidays 12 Most Romantic Holiday Destinations in the World for Couples - Time Out Gozo, Blue Lagoon. Beaches are my number 1 priority, for sure! . The downside is that there isnt much countryside to explore as youll be located at the busier part of Malta.2) St. Julians/Sliema is a better location if youd like to stay near the coast, with a long promenade and a variety of restaurants in the area. It doesnt have to be a deal-breaker, but I wish Malta was a bit easier to get around. I hope that helps and I hope you enjoy your stay! What are the best places in Malta for couples? In 2017, Malaysia enjoyed the title of being Southeast Asia's most visited country (they received 25.9 million visitors), second to Thailand which received 35.3 million. We would like different options, we would like to visit some of the traditional Maltese villages/towns and experience the authentic way of life and we also want the option on some days of good beaches and complete relaxation, we would like the option of some nightlife (good restaurants and bars with the option to stay out late if we choose too). Of course, public transport should not be the reason to skip out on visiting Malta, but I do think people should take that into consideration. So it sounds like nightlife is pretty important to you, in which case your best bet is St. Julians, and more specifically the Spinola/Balluta Bay area, NOT the area known as Paceville because youll be right in the middle of the busiest part with night clubs. Hi there. Mediterranean islands kind of have to have dreamy beaches, right? Hi, Im travelling with my friend on the 27th July this year and we will be staying two full days. Hi Edward. This is extraordinarily helpful information. We dont want to be among loads of tourists or the busiest place with nightclubs, however we do like to go on restaurants and have some choosing options where to eat. Do you have any idea? (View all of my recommended Gozo hotels here). Both Valletta and the 3 Cities are easily a days worth of sightseeing, and both Sliema/Gzira and the 3 Cities are connected to Valletta by ferry. My parents are elderly and very sprightly. We were only in Malta for 3 days so didnt get to see much. What area do you best recommend? 1. I love local festivals. Where should I stay in Malta for backpacking? The downside there is that youll need a 10-15 minute bus ride to get to The Ferries in Sliema to take day tours and shop (various routes pass from this stretch). Id much rather recommend Valletta or Sliema to you. Quick notes: View all of my recommendations in this area here: Sliemais another popular tourist resort located along the northern coast of Malta, close to Valletta. Perhaps surprisingly, the Greek capital stays much warmer than many places on the country's salty-aired coastline once winter rolls in. Im Charlie I am 54 and planning to go to Malta in May to see family, I will be staying in Saint Pauls Bay could you please recommend some places to visit while Im there? There are plenty of bars and pubs around the area and some great restaurants to try as well. What's the best place for a beach holiday in Malta? 2018-2023 My Path in the World. Trying to do it on a budget- but will probably splash out for the last night for fiances birthday. All the better for those who want a slice of sunshine without being marooned on a beach somewhere. 59 Points of Interest, Places to Visit and Attractions in Malta. We are mid-50s, active and will be in Malta end May for 8 days. I have read most of the information, and I am still unsure of where to go. Reasons To Visit Malta: The Cons Transportation Traffic Jams Island Time The Final Verdict: Is Malta Worth Visiting? We also like to mix it up with some beachdays and relax. I would like to go to Valleta, and to some beaches around the island, but 90% of the beaches are on the north.Thanks! Youll be better off hiring a car if you choose to stay here, however, as it is a little remote.Youve also mentioned to me separately the wish for accommodation with character/history. Hi Cludia, May is right around the time when the weather starts warming up and early bathers start swimming and going to the beach. Things Tourists Should Never Do in Malta, Ever - Culture Trip It was ruled by the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Knights Hospitaller, and Brits, to name a few. There arent an awful lot of villas that Im aware of in the area that would still be available on pretty short notice, however. We dont care too much about nightlife (we live in London!) Fort St. Angelo in Birgu: Built in the 13th-16th centuries. For diving, unless youre unlucky to find bad weather, it should be fine with the right kind of gear. We are thinking more in November/December this time, a little cooler. The Victoria Hotel is within a 10-minute walk so that ones alright, plus its a nice hotel. Myself and 2 of my girlfriends are planning on coming to Malta in August. Is Malta Worth Visiting? | 2023 - A Broken Backpack Main goal is the best beaches, but would like to see what is to explore in city centre too. Modern side with high-rises but still has quaint village core with colourful houses. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ace4d68afe1b642f8cf4e305f2ae75eb" );document.getElementById("c8ddf558ad").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thanks. Another option is we hire a car and venture Malta, if so is it easy to find car parks at the historical sites?Thank you. Some challenging mountain bike routes are documented (not very well at this point, admittedly) here, to give you an idea: Mountain biking routes in Gozo. Thanks to the southern Italian cultural influence, youll find plenty of pasta dishes in Maltese cuisine, as well as arancini (fried rice balls coated with breadcrumbs), soups, and even cannoli. Can you advise us where to stay? I get what youre saying and agree. Your best bet in that case is probably Valletta, which is also good for dining/nightlife, and although no sandy beaches are nearby you can reach any beach of your choice pretty easily with the main bus terminal sitting right outside the city. Keep in mind that distances are relatively short so travel time is rarely a deciding factor on the best place to stay. LANZAROTE - DEALS FROM 299 DISCOVER HIDDEN, WHITE-SANDY BEACHES. . For nightlife, its very muchSt. Julians(as it is in summer) and its Paceville district, although it is a more urban (and busy) part of Malta). Hi Faye, If budget isnt an issue Id actually stay in Valletta. The 34 Best Couples Vacations - U.S. News Travel Read article Transportation Malta: Europe's surprising best destination for family holidays Puglia, Italy. I know many people can manage communication issues when traveling to a destination where the locals dont speak English, but its definitely a bonus if they do. Unfortunately, a 15-minute journey by car can take you an hour and a half by bus. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Seeing as St. Pauls Bay is a little busier/touristy and Gozo has a character of its own (in a good way!) I have researched that I might need to apply for some kind of liscence to camp. Thanks, Edward! Another tip: Open air clubs like Gianpula (and particularly Marrakesh, part of the Gianpula complex) are worth going to. Ive never seen so much in such a small place! Based off the info youve provided as to your preferences, it sounds like Mellieha and surrounding area could be a good fit. Rotunda of Mosta: A 17th-century cathedral based on the Pantheon in Rome that survived a German aerial bomb attack during WWII. We are staying 4 nights in Malta and 3 in Gozo. Its not really a tourist resort, but it is still a popular place to stay and not as busy as youd expect a capital city to be. Tailor-made Holidays. We like eating out and going to bars but not interested in clubbing, beach life etc. My notes: (View all of my hotel recommendations in Melliea here.). (More info here on that topic:Diving in Malta.). My wife and I are looking to come to Malta July 2-8. Ill be staying just next to the beach in Xlendi for 3 nights as well, so it will be pretty much a beach holiday. The ferry trips in themselves are an experience as Maltese harbours are beautiful. Hi Amber, since youll be travelling with the family and the kids will enjoy the beaches, I wouldnt recommend staying in Valletta, especially not when hiring a car. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Malta travel - Lonely Planet | Europe It's divided by small canals and streams that run from the vivid blue Lac Annecy, with many terraces lining the waterfalls that truly give it a Venice-like feel. Top 10 Best Holiday Destinations 2023 | lastminute.com If, however, you want to explore other parts of Malta, Mellieha will be quite remote, whereas youll get shorter trips from the Bugibba area youre kind of in between the beaches to the North and places like Valletta and Mdina to the South/East. View all of my hotel recommendations in St. Julians here. Valletta is Maltas capital cityand offers a high concentration of points of interest and museums/attractions. Reasons To Visit Malta: The Pros Although Malta is known as one of the smallest countries in the world, a lot of people don't know that it is not an islandit is an archipelago. Although you can find seaside promenades around the St. Julians/Sliema and Buibba areas, it can get pretty busy there around the high season and, unfortunately, local government isnt always proactive in ensuring pavements are up to scratch and accommodating for everyone. It gave me a whole map and great idea of Malta , Happy to hear that Jill, thanks for leaving a comment! We wont have a car unfortunately so will need to stay in an area with easy transportation access. He hopes to get some good dives in?We are staying near St Pauls Bay for 3 nights, with 3 nights planned for Gozo & 3 nights elsewhere in Malta, toalso dive but also see another side of the country. However, with around 300 Sunny days per year, Malta is perfect to Visit all year round! That means that the beach gets dirty pretty quickly, especially during the night. we do a lot of walking ( just back from Madeira ). Hi Burcu, a few quick replies to your questions:* The issue with St. Georges Bay is that its right at the edge of Paceville, which is the countrys main nightlife area. Very good points to help choose a locationThanks, This information is the difference between a really enjoyable family holiday or a 2 week nightmare. A few hotel options for Sliema:Preluna Hotel & Spa115 The Strand Hotel, A few options for hotels in St. Julians:Corinthia Hotel St. Georges BayThe Westin Dragonara ResortMarriott Hotel & Spa (closer to Sliema)Hilton Malta (closer to Sliema). All inclusive hotel but doesnt have to be The Ritz just good location/facilities and pleasant food/drinks. Valletta is the main hub for public transport, plus theres a lot to see there. We are in our forties but young at heart. Many river cruise companies offer these annual sailings, including AmaWaterways, Emerald Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld . Hey, I'm Or! We also want to be close to sandy beaches. I tried to plan my Malta itinerary as efficiently as possible in that aspect, but when getting from one point to another by bus got too annoying, I took a taxi to save time and energy. I need your advise on what would be the best place to rent Villas / holiday homes as this would suit us best with a baby. With weather and a landscape much like India, this place offers the perfect experience to enjoy a respite from heat and embrace it like a pro. Downsides: Construction projects are ongoing and gets busy easily, also outside of the high season. A lot more on that topic here:Family holidays in Malta with kids. Now to choose a hotel! I appreciate your perspective as a local. Usually, the earliest is May and the latest time of year October not just because of the sea temperature but also from a safety point of view with undercurrents, etc. The St. Julians and Sliema area offer a good number of nice restaurants to try, but then its very touristy and busy. Well-connected with public transport, boat tours and hop on/hop off. We arent into very touristy areas but would like a pinch of nightlife in the evening for example go out for a nice dinner and a place for drinks and people watching. Best holiday destinations in July 2023: Where's best to go They include decorated streets, fireworks, band marches, and much more. Each saint gets its own celebration (calledfesta), but instead of having an entire year of celebrations, most of these festivals take place in summer. Other notable historic spots are the Three Cities and Mosta. aar Qim: A prehistoric complex of temples. Then, return to the ship for holiday-themed dining and entertainment. I dont have a question at the moment but am sure to have a few in the future. CITIES THAT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE STEPPING BACK IN TIME. Fun fact: This is why some legends in Europe suggest that Malta is the lost city of Atlantis. Its an amazing place to visit on a day trip but not the best place to stay with a family and with the idea of spending time on the beach, simply because of the commute and the traffic congestion in the area. 8. Hi There is Malta walking friendly? 500+ Facilities. The Best Holidays for Young Couples - World Travel Toucan Since youre not too fussy about pubs/bars and that sort of thing Id consider looking at either Mellieha and outskirts, or places like Rabat and even Mgarr through an Airbnb rental. Colombo - Respite From The Scorching Heat. 10 Reasons Why Malta is the Perfect Holiday Destination There are more than 350 churches on this small island, and each one is dedicated to a different saint. Hi, Heading to malta for the first time and was hoping for a bit of a clue as to where is best suited for us. They include decorated streets, fireworks, band marches, and much more. So what are your options? It has also become an increasingly popular Winter break for those wanting to escape the cold. Few places to swim in the sea and far from sandy beaches. The only difference, when it comes to planning a holiday for older travellers, is that a greater emphasis is placed on the finer things in life: an excursion that is less about rave, and more about relaxation! Quick notes: (View all of my hotel recommendations in Sliema here.). Check out our best offers for Couples Sun Holidays or take a look out our great packages for City Breaks 1. May 11, 2022 6 min read Malta's festival calendar is busy year-round ZGPhotography / Shutterstock At the heart of the Mediterranean, the compact and easily-navigated island of Malta is a year-round destination. Plus, they drive on the left side of the road (which understandably can be an issue for some people).