Malta-any advice on where to stay and where to avoid

[ganesh]

Thinking of going to Malta with family in July/Aug (no young kids) and would welcome any advice on where to stay and where to avoid. Not into noisy nightlife but like restaurants and a bit of life etc not too far away. Like a bit of culture and not beach crazy.

[Buenchico]

Much of the holiday accommodation in Malta is in purpose-built complexes, which are often well away from the local shops, bars, restaurants, etc. With your criteria, I'd suggest avoiding them and staying in a hotel in the main coastal resort, Sliema. You'll find no shortage of places to shop, eat and drink. Further, it's a great base for exploring the island by bus (which I'd regard as preferable to risking car hire on the island). It's also the best place to start from if you want to book on guided tours to the historic and cultural sites of the island.

Useful links:
http://www.visitmalta.com/sliema

http://www.holiday-ma...age/sliema/index.html

Accommodation list:
http://www.sliema-malta.com/accommodation.htm

TripAdvisor:
http://www.tripadviso..._Malta-Vacations.html

Chris

[yogi-bear]

Hi ganesh,

I will, maybe, be in the same area as you in July/August, as there for a few gigs around then.

Good links and advice from Chris...........if you are NOT into noisy clublife/bars etc, avoid a place called Paceville near St Julians Bay any night in the summer period.....very busy and boisterous, but some nice jazz bars/ restaurants can be found there too, if you wanna explore one night. No trouble there.....just good peeps wanting to have a good time.

Many beaches there, especially North of the Island, but as you say not too beach crazy.....busy at the weekends when the locals flock there too, in additionto the tourists.
mant cultural places to visit.....some old history there too, which should be on Chris's links sent to you.

Hope you really enjoy it there, ganesh......oh, some the local delicacies food wise there is simply wonderful.....and go prepared for it to be very hot indeed........touched 42C whilst there in July last year......but cooled down after that........nice pleasant evenings.

[Booldawg]

Back in 1996 we stayed in Qawra which is fairly quiet but a 10 minute walk round the bay to Bugibba which is more of a 'happening' resort.

A must see is the day trip to Gozo and the ancient walled city of Medina. Try and catch one of the local 'festas' that go on (theres always plenty of them) lots of fireworks etc.

[ganesh]

Thanks all,lots to go on.

[bobjugs12]

I stayed with the family in Qawra as well. Lovely area, plenty to see and do. You also need to do the daytrip to the Blue Lagoon in Comino make sure you have swim kit and snorkel as well

[Dee Sa]

spend a day on or stay in Gozo its lovely. I dont recommend the day trip to Sicily the return crossing is everso everso rough and the hydrofoil an old rust bucket and what music did they play to try and calm the passengers down --- youve guessed ot the theme from the Titanic !!!! I believe that one or two hotels on Malta have their own spa and you can get a package holiday that includes a couple of treatments.
People of Malta very nice and friendly.