I suppose it all depends where you go but what I can tell you is that the local bus service in Malta is excellent. Far superior to our total lack of one in Cyprus!!!

Malta will never be my number 1 favourite destination but my parents took a timeshare out there a couple of years ago and go for 4wks every February. We take the opportunity to fly over from Larnaca airport to meet up with them for 1wk. Their apartment is in Qawra and we prefer it to the neighbouring resort of Bugibba.

Saying that "tourist street" runs between both resorts and has bars and restaurants all along it and on either side of it. The resort is up or downhill depending which way you look at it, pavements are not at their best (not much different from Cyprus) but food and drink is generally cheaper than our mediterranean island.

We're not keen on the nightly "entertainment" as it seems to be the same one's doing the rounds of the different pubs and hotels - so if you're into Elvis soundalikes (sort of), karaoke, country & western singers and a couple of guitar soloists you will be fine.

I can only speak from our experience of this locality as we haven't stayed anywhere else on Malta.

We have taken a few bus rides out and we like Sliema as it's more bustling and is on the waterfront with views across to Valetta. My parents don't like it - they say it's too busy... (My parents are 75 and 69 just now and I am 51) to give you an idea.

We just took a trip for the day to Gozo and really liked it there but it's very sleepy. My parents haven't been there as they've heard there is nothing there!! So, you can't please everyone all of the time

I know that people go back year after year so something brings them there.... The Maltese people are very friendly and it's very relaxed.

Our family really enjoy Malta, but it is not for everyone, I'm afraid. There are only a few beaches, mainly in the north of Malta, up towards Mellieha Bay & Ramla Bay - the hotels up there are very nice, I'm told, and although we haven't stayed there, we have used the excellent bus service to visit for the day. Most of the resorts have rocky "beaches", with bathing platforms from which you enter the sea, although there are a number of lidos about, in Qawra, St Julians, Valletta, and a few others. The people are fantastic, there are lots of little bars & restaurant/cafes all over, and there is an awful lot of history to see. If that sound like somewhere you might like, then let us know a bit more about you, and we can probably make some suggestions tailored to your likes & dislikes, especially as regards hotels.

go!! go!! go!!

i totally love Malta.

Qwara is good for the bus terminus - if you want to get around you can get buses to almost anywhere. There is a man made beach but mainly rocks - never been a problem for us. You can get a bus to Mellieha beach or Armier or Golden sands.

If you like history there are so many historical places to look around - Valletta, Mdina, Rabat, lots of little fishing bays - Marsaslokk, Marsascala, St Julians.

Google Malta and take a good look at he sights, I just can't think of anywhere else I would like to go.

I too love Malta..and Gozo even more. There are some stunning views, there is so much histroy and culture you can go at..the place truly is fascinating.

The bus service is very good and quite reliable ( even though the condition of some of the buses would make your hair stand on end!) and very very cheap.

The beaches are not that crash hot..not many sandy ones at all, and some people with mobility problems may have difficulty getting around.

There are also plenty of activities to do if you are more adventurous...we are scuba divers and there are so many wrecks of historical importance, not to mention other stunning underwater topography from dozens of dive sites. There is also plenty of choices for eating out and even the most fussy or discerning palette would find something suitable.

We got back yesterday from yet another visit..and we are going back in September....

Why Malta, why in deed, but then again why not. Why go any were at all, well if you like to go to the beach then as in the above post's then it has to be the north of the island, but if you want to see things and there is a hell of a lot to see in Malta, then you have to go to some were like Sliema.
Or you could try the St Pauls bay area, this makes it easy by bus to get to most parts of the island. As someone just a bit older then you, I would say try Sliema for your first visit, it has some good hotels and some bad ones so have a good look on the Hotel Reviews, there are some good restaurants a few pubs to watch the world go by, Boat trips from the harbour and a good bus service to the rest of the places of intrest.
The place most people go to is Valletta a feast for any history buff, this almost 500 year old city is easy to walk round with some thing to see at every turn. Built by the Knights of St John in 1571 it still much the same as it was built, there are old forts to go in museums of all sorts old houses to visit, the Grand Masters palace, a Co- Cathedral that you will not believe and some great views over the Grand Harbour scene of many battles in WW2.
Over from the Grand Harbour is the Three Citys, scene of the famous Siege of 1565. then there is M-dina old Capital of Malta again full of sites and history and views of most of the island of Malta.
Then there is a trip to Gozo a short boat trip and into another world. These are just some of the things to see in Malta I think it is best to get a good guide book on were you want to go even if it only from the Library or you could Google (Malta Vista) or if you have Google Earth on your computer have a look on there.
But if it just Pool and Beach you want I would say go to Portugal or Spain, I myself will be going to the Algarve after going to Malta 5 times over a lot of years but it still a great place to see, or is it?
Dave. 1000th Post

Dave. 1000th Post

Congratulations

......... I myself will be going to the Algarve after going to Malta 5 times over a lot of years but it still a great place to see, or is it?

After going to Malta regulary for 19 years we have been going to other destinations for a couple of years now however the magic pulls us back and we will be there again in September for our third visit this year

thanks for the replies , we dont do just beaches and hotel pools , we love to get out and about , will take on board all what has been said , will sit down with hubby and also TA to as we like to book packages for the safety aspect

Hi Llindy

I would recommend looking at Mellieha as it probably is closest to meeting your needs. There is a nice beach located there and there is a good choice of places to eat and drink.
Mellieha is split in to two distinct parts, one area is down by the beach front and the other is the old village located up the hill where the lovely church is.

There is a good frequent bus service that runs from Mellieha to other parts of the island including North to the ferry terminal at Cirkewwa where you can take the short crossing to Gozo and South to St Pauls / Bugibba and Valletta where you can then get another bus to any part of the island, busses are very cheap and reliable.

Safety wise you have absolutely NO need to worry about that, Malta is so safe and friendly and with the added bonus of everybody speaking English it as a very easy country to get out and about in.

These links will give you lots more information to help you decide

Mellieha

http://www.holiday-malta.com/resort/malta/village/mellieha/index.html

http://www.mellieha.com/

Malta

http://www.visitmalta.com/main?l=1

http://www.guidetomalta.net/

Out & About

This shows you the type of excursions available, many of them are easily done by DIY on local transport
http://www.maltatravelnet.com/

Graham

Holidayed in Malta many times over the past 20 years, usually gone to Mellieaha Bay Hotel.

Reasons for visiting malta are numerous;

1. The Maltese seem to Love the British, we have history together
2. They Speak fluent English nearly everywhere
3. Great Bus service/network
4. Flights arent too long and a few uk airports do flights
5. Nice Med weather
6. Good History, the capital is a beautiful city, great harbour, great history

i could go on for hours why i think malta is wonderful but i'll leave it there for now. it seems to be a city caught in time it has elements of the past mixed up with modern facilities.

Need any more info, i'll do my best to answer