Friday, I think

The BIG market is on a Sunday in Marsaxlokk

Thanks Graham and Doonhamer so the big Sunday market has now moved from Valetta to Marsaxlokk then.

That's my understanding of it too. My parents used to go to the Sunday market in Valletta if the weather was cloudy in the morning but last year nobody seemed to know what was happening with it exactly. The bus drivers all said it was closed when you asked them...

Never been to the one at Marsaxlokk but parents say it's massive and always packed. Not much fun in that for me I'm afraid so we've usually steered clear plus Valletta is very easy to get to from the bus station at Bugibba.

Shell
Limassol

Is Marsaxlokk the pretty little resort with all the little blue rowing (fishing ?) boats bobbing up and down on the water that is the other side of the Island to all the main resorts ?

doepsmc

I think you may be right and after watching this video, methinks we will take a visit this year We won't be there on a Sunday so we can avoid the market!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZziRn0y0Wa4&feature=related

Shell
Limassol, Cyprus

Yes it is ... I was really taken by Kiltman Graham photos in the media galllery ... determined to get there one day http://www.holidaytruths.tv/search/Marsaxlokk/

hopefully we'll get there too, as it looks like my kind of place Just been reading your long post again Val http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=145361&hilit=malta It look like we're going to have to take a good pair of walking shoes

Just been looking at the best way to get there by bus from Qawra and it's not so simple plus it's a long journey which seems to involve a change of bus part way.

I toyed with going back to the airport and taking a bus from there, but it's just as long - we want to avoid going into Valletta which seems possible. Will have to check when we get there methinks as we're only there for 5 nights.

Shell
Limassol, Cyprus

Marsaxlokk is indeed the pretty liitle fishing village, that is where we now stay when we go, more picture of Marsaxlokk and surrounding area.
http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/580667872ExSoDA

We thought we'd have to go to Valetta from Qawra and get another bus to Marsaxlokk Shell can you get from somewhere else then and where do you change. When we went years ago we were on a coach trip but want to make our own way there this time. May get a three day bus ticket so that we can visit all our Maltese friends and do a bit more sightseeing.

Oh Graham such wonderful pictures, I only had a quick flick as waiting to go to bet, will have a nother look tomorrow - brings back happy memorys of vising for the day and having a lovely meal by the water, msut have been in the days of no markert.

xxxx

ok so how far from Valletta is Marsaxlokk . I know I should be concentrating on Gozo right now but I'd still like to do a long weekend in valletta ... then again another holiday staying on malta looks good too .

People always used to say to me . oh but Malta ... thats for old people .. Bit worrying

@lynwestie - yes, I am female! Maybe I need to get myself a profile pic...

What's the easiest way to get there from Sliema please?

I had a look on the Arriva website, there's quite a lot of stuff on there. It's not very user friendly though so you have to persevere with it a bit.

http://www.arriva.com.mt/home?l=1

This page should give results from Bugibba bus station to Marsaxlokk: http://www.arriva.com.mt/RoutePlansPage?l=1&loc_code_pk=FF6933&loc_code_pk=FC6537

Shell
Limassol, Cyprus

Thanks Shell for the bus information I thought you could get two or three day tickets but we'll get one day passes which are a lot cheaper than the travel in this country. Hopefully the new buses will be more reliable and comfortable than the old ones, we've had some awful times in them as they swerved to avoid the potholes!

Unfortunately it is not just as simple as it used to be to get to Marsaxlokk from Bugibba or Sliema as there are now no direct bus routes

If you are not familiar with the areas mentioned regarding changing buses the easiest way is to get a bus to Valletta then take the route 81 out to Marsaxlokk.

I mention not being familiar with the areas as many villages / towns just merge in to each other and it is easy to get a bit confused if you are visiting for the first couple of times, for example Sliema going all the way around to Floriana & Valletta would appear to be the same large area if you don't know the area which makes it a bit harder to navigate the buses.

When looking at the routes you may find that there are mentions of changing at Paola, you will recognise when you have arrived in Paola as the main street with the bus stops is on an incline and has a tree lined centre reservation with small cafe kiosks.

If you are intending to visit the Hypogeum and or the Tarxien Temples they are within easy walking distance for Paola, get off at the top of the street and walk up the way, look for the brown direction signs.

Helen you will find all the buses down at the waterfont in Sliema which makes it easyto get about, there is also a small ferry that crosses from Sliema to Valletta.

Google maps is a great help and will help you get an idea of the area.

Thanks Graham