Malta in October

malin182

Hi folks, planning a couples holiday in October to Malta and just wondering if people have any info on places to go, things to do, accomodation etc? I dont think we need to be on a serious budget so wouldnt mind a decent place to stay but at the same time not royalty, was thinking of renting a car as well. I had a quick check on flights and I didnt see a direct flight from Ireland. Would I be right in saying that?

Thanks

Swashbuckler

malin182 wrote: »

Hi folks, planning a couples holiday in October to Malta and just wondering if people have any info on places to go, things to do, accomodation etc? I dont think we need to be on a serious budget so wouldnt mind a decent place to stay but at the same time not royalty, was thinking of renting a car as well. I had a quick check on flights and I didnt see a direct flight from Ireland. Would I be right in saying that?

Thanks

Heading there next month (May) so I can't recommend what to do and see over there but my flights are direct from Dublin with Ryanair.

Maphisto

We spent a number of holidays in Gozo, Malta'a smaller sister. Gozo always reminded me of the West of Ireland with sunshine.

Gozo is very rural, with lovely terraced hill farms, has some lovely restaurants and you can drive the length of it in 30 minutes. Car hire is cheap and cheerful - the roads make ours look quite good :cool:. I drove quite happily on Gozo but I probably would have baulked at Malta - a couple of taxi journeys there reminded me of Rome on steroids.

We stayed in Valletta on the last night on each trip. The history in Valletta is everywhere around, from churches, museums, posh shops, pavement cafes ....

Perhaps a word from you as to what they like to do, on the beach and down the clubs afterwards or restaurants and historic sites.

DaveNoCheese

Was there last year and going again in early May... Lovely place! We didn't do much of the touristy stuff as it was a lads holiday...

Be sure to check out paceville, it's like a mini Ibiza. A trip to Gozo is recommended as well, we rented quads and did a tour around the island!

malin182

Thanks for the advice so far guys, we do like our night life so DaveNoCheese that's good to hear there is an option for that Is it Playa den Bossa or San Antonio Ibiza?

Maphisto I would be interested in a sandy beach, posibly a boat tour (with fishing if possible), water sports, good Mediterranean food, decent bars - somewhere you can chill if in the mood but also for lively nights out. I was thinking of renting a car but might leave that for Gozo if the driving is dodgy! Is it worth doing a day trip or staying over on Gozo?

Do you think its a place worth going to in October weather wise?

Any recommendations on where to stay, both places and accom?

Maphisto

Hi Malin

We stayed here http://www.cornucopiahotel.com/ several times and loved it.

Don't go to Gozo for the nightlife, other than bars and restaurants.

It is quite easy to split your trip 60/40 Malta/Gozo or vice versa. We did that one year.

I'd recommend Marsalforn, for the promenade and restarants, Azure window for sub aqua, Ramla Bay for the beach.

October will be coolish take a pulley

Fratton Fred

Gozo is a lovely island and has some superb fish restaurants. I've been there twice and as much as I loved the island, I can safely say that it is best seen under water.

The blue hole /azure window, recca point and the twin arches are three of the best dives I have done.

Bowlardo

Swashbuckler wrote: »

Heading there next month (May) so I can't recommend what to do and see over there but my flights are direct from Dublin with Ryanair.

how did you get on? how long did you go for and any recommendations.
Plan on going for a week at the end of august/start of September. thinking of 3 night over on the east of malta (Valetta/St Julian) and then up to the north for 4 night taking in the blue lagoon and gozo. will be renting a car for the trip up north. could .
Would not might a bit of partying for the first night or two and relax then after that. Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated

ScottSF

I personally would hesitate to rent a car in Malta as they are known as having among the most dangerous drivers in Europe. Here is one eye-opening article to read:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140108/opinion/Curse-of-Maltese-driving.501812

When my wife and I visited in April (direct flights on Ryanair, weather pleasant but not for swimming) we arrived at night and hopped into a taxi to our hotel in Sliema. Our taxi driver was going twice the speed limit on some narrow/curvy stretches and we passed not one but TWO accidents on the short drive from the airport to the hotel.

They have a public bus system which is fine if you are not in a huge hurry. Most of the buses start from the Valletta bus terminal. The best part is that a Day Pass is only EUR 1.50 right now! Here is a useful article on bus travel in Malta.

highlydebased

Bowlardo wrote: »

how did you get on? how long did you go for and any recommendations.
Plan on going for a week at the end of august/start of September. thinking of 3 night over on the east of malta (Valetta/St Julian) and then up to the north for 4 night taking in the blue lagoon and gozo. will be renting a car for the trip up north. could .
Would not might a bit of partying for the first night or two and relax then after that. Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated

The Island is so small you wouldn't need to stay in seperate places generally.

If you're into serious clubbing etc then you want Paceville (pronounced patch-e-ville) in St Julians. Otherwise consider Sliema though it's a little more expensive.

Lived in Malta for 6 months a while back so any questions fire away

Swashbuckler

Bowlardo wrote: »

how did you get on? how long did you go for and any recommendations.
Plan on going for a week at the end of august/start of September. thinking of 3 night over on the east of malta (Valetta/St Julian) and then up to the north for 4 night taking in the blue lagoon and gozo. will be renting a car for the trip up north. could .
Would not might a bit of partying for the first night or two and relax then after that. Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated

To be honest I like the sound of your plan and if I had my time over again I would probably do what you have done.

St. Julians is nice. There are plenty of nice little restaurants particularly around Spinola and George's bay. Very relaxing during the day. Paceville was good craic. Much busier at the weekends than weekdays. I enjoyed it and the clubs and bars stay open into the early hours. Very young crowd there though. I was surprised.

We did a day trip to Gozo and it was lovely. We did a hop on hop off bus tour around the island and there was some lovely spots. We didn't get a chance to go to Blue Lagoon which looked like a great spot for swimming. I would have liked to have spent a few days in Gozo so I think your plan is good.

As for driving, you'll be fine in Gozo but St. Julian's seemed a bit mental to me. I wouldn't fancy driving there to be honest and I'd consider myself a decent driver.

TheNibbler

I was in Malta (Sliema) at the end of March/start of April. Really enjoyed it, beautiful country. However, it was very quiet. Met some friends living over there and they said that outside of the summer months it is quite dead, especially in terms of night life. Might be something to bear in mind if you want good nightlife as part of your trip. Another issue might be the weather as would probably be quite cool by October.

Bowlardo

Booked for the beginning of september.
we're going to stay in Valetta for Friday to sunday night ......and then heading up to Melliha for four days. will probably rent a car and drive around gozo for a day. do the blue lagoon another.
Looking forward to it now.

Can anyone remember nice place to eat or have few drinks in any of the above menitoned area.