Question Visiting Malta

[andyhinckley]

I know it is not strictly casino related but seeing as a lot of online casinos are here thought i ask a few questions. I am holidaying here next May (Ramla Bay Resort), got a week AI for less than £300

Any way may i ask Maltese residents what taxis and buses are like?

Also seeing as Malta drives on the correct side of the road what is driving there like?

As Ramla Bay is a bit remote on google maps, I am intending on hiring car to explore, like I did in Gran Canaria last week, cheaper than excursions!

BTW Gran Canaria is lovely island!!


Ta

 

[Jasminebed]

Will having been a tourist in Malta help?

The busses on the Island are brilliant. Buy a week long pass. I just missed the days of the independent bus, and the colours and jockeying to get to the next bus stop ahead of the other driver. But the new ones are clean and modern and airconditioned.

Parking is nightmarish in the cities. The little narrow streets are not meant to accommodate cars let alone parking. There are places to park, and take transit or walk.

Don't skip visiting the Blue Lagoon. You can save money by taking a water taxi rather than a tour boat. The beach itself is crowded, but not once you are in swimming.

Taxis are pricey over longer distances. Even with a bus pass you have to pay a night surcharge after a certain time.

I really enjoyed visiting Malta. Make as many reps as possible buy you beer.

IanO was the only one home to come meet up with me, and it was a true pleasure to meet him. I've met a few peeps in Amsterdam that live and work in Malta, all of them lovely.

Bring good walking shoes. I don't know just how they do it, but everywhere is uphill. And in case it's not uphill, they make you do downhill in order to walk uphill.

I loved visiting there, I am sure you will too.

 

[spintee]

Cannot help you with that one as I am lucky to get out my own town let alone on holiday,

I may be able to help you that if google maps is not giving you much than try google earth, This will give you a good view of the Island,

Have a great time

 

[redsfan]

I visit Malta alot on business and people say you either love it or hate it. I am in the latter but maybe thats because I am not a tourist.

Driving. If you live in London you will be fine. There are near enough zero rules of the road and its every man for themselves.

Dont use Ecabs in malta. Client used them on my last trip and of the 8 cars I had, 6 had incidents (Like using 2 mobile phones while driving. 1 to ask for the address of where he was supposed to be taking me and the other to put in the directions on the Sat Nav).

If you are in St Juliens, I would reccomened one restaurant above any other, The Avenue. Food is out of this world.

 

[Captain Rizk]

Taxis are oK, but never take a white one. Use e-cabs, they give great service and decent price

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controversial i know compared to the last post but I have used them for probably 1000 journeys (when i am too tired to fly....) and have had very very few problems. Using a mobile phone while driving is absolutely standard i Malta btw... Red lights are kinda optional too

Dont rely on buses as they are not reliable and frequently packed, hire a car but be prepared to leave all your British driving sense at home. It is a free for all here so absolutely expect the unexpected and dont ever think that someone will use an indicator. It is more likely that they will stop in the middle of the road, abandon their car and just go into the closest shop for 20 minutes....

There are lots of truly excellent restaurants around St Julians but a lot of crap too. Avenue is middle of the road but excellent value for money- top restaurants are Caviar and Bull, Zest, Budhamann.

If you ar einto history - particularly WWII - the spend some time in Valetta, the war rooms in particular are incredible.

You are next to the ferry port so count in a day in Gozo - the calm oasis compared to Malta.

If you are around the Sliema/Gzira/Ta'Xbiex area one day then drop me a note and come and have lunch with us

 

[KasinoKing]

We were there for a week in June 2015: Definitely hire a car - VERY cheap and convenient.
When we picked it up we had the usual look round it to see if there were any dents or scratches... and we couldn't find a single panel on the car which DIDN'T have a dent or scratch! (See photos below)

Driving is not quite as bad as some others have said - as long as you have your wits about you on the road. Jasmine is right about driving in the city - ridiculously narrow roads and people stopping & blocking the way left right & centre!
DON'T run a red light thought, as the punishment is quite severe - see last photo...

A trip to Gozo on the ferry is definitely recommended - very convenient for us at the time as we were in the Paradise Bay Hotel right next to the ferry port!
There is also a speed-boat with runs from there to the Blue Lagoon - a lot of fun!













KK

 

[The Dude]

LOL KK

Make sure you go to the "Silent City" (Mdina) at night:

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If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you just might recognize this.

Also, a must is the Island of Gozo - as mentioned. They have the oldest ruins in Europe which predate the Giza pyramids in Egypt.

The reason the cars are so banged up is that drinking and driving is the norm.

 

[andyhinckley]

Many thanks everyone.

Capt. Rizk is that a promise?!
And intend going round various WW2 sites

KK That's about right for hire cars, mine in gran canaria was upgraded from a twingo to a yaris, but a shed and gutless, but air con worked lol. Also who did you rent off?
Not using goldcars. very bad reviews for them.

Bryan, Gozo trip is on the cards.

Jasmine, thanks for advice, intend getting bus card.

And see they do night buses, means the reps can get me drunk Jump on a night bus back to resort, and hopefully not re-invest my winnings back lol.

Hmmm reps buy me drinks? maybe weekend trip to Gibraltar one day?????!!!

 

[Nicola]

Malta is fantasic and as others have said the buses are very reliable (but I do miss the old yellow buses).

Driving overall is fine, there are some bumpy routes on the North of the Island. Make sure you secure your car in the late Autumn/Winter months otherwise it will literially float away when it rains!

If you're in Msida, let me know and I'll buy you a drink

 

[spintee]

Make sure you check out the crack joints of casino and as where there PO box is

I heard a lot abort about the driving, Thats by cup of tee, NO HOLD BARS for me either guys, Sped / No seat belts / red lights, parrk when you want, i meet you over there as at the minute I canot jump in a motor with out the police gripping me and thats without my wheels

Many thanks everyone.

Capt. Rizk is that a promise?!
And intend going round various WW2 sites

KK That's about right for hire cars, mine in gran canaria was upgraded from a twingo to a yaris, but a shed and gutless, but air con worked lol. Also who did you rent off?
Not using goldcars. very bad reviews for them.

Bryan, Gozo trip is on the cards.

Jasmine, thanks for advice, intend getting bus card.

And see they do night buses, means the reps can get me drunk Jump on a night bus back to resort, and hopefully not re-invest my winnings back lol.

Hmmm reps buy me drinks? maybe weekend trip to Gibraltar one day?????!!!

 

[chris87]

Funnily enough I was in Gran Canaria too last week Andy. Really enjoyed it apart from the rain on Monday (the locals said it only rains there twice a year on average!) Hope you checked out the Wig Wam bar in Puerto Rico for the Belgian ales.

Re Malta, I've visited and have a friend who lives in St Juliens. I can't add much more to the great advice already given, but I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Chris

 

[andyhinckley]

Funnily enough I was in Gran Canaria too last week Andy. Really enjoyed it apart from the rain on Monday (the locals said it only rains there twice a year on average!) Hope you checked out the Wig Wam bar in Puerto Rico for the Belgian ales.

Re Malta, I've visited and have a friend who lives in St Juliens. I can't add much more to the great advice already given, but I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Chris

Stayed in PDI near beach. monday in day drove to the north, Firgas , then Pico Des La Nieves, great views but bit cloudy then back to CITA bars at night, thunder as well!

 

[CM_BETAT]

Hi Andy,

Live here all my life.

Taxis, avoid white taxis like the plague, but take down the number of the cab company eCabs. Theyre the best.

Driving, is "mediterranean" style, aka free for all.

If you need anything, PM me

Cheers,
Karl

 

[CasumoAffiliates]

Ok, I am living some time in Malta so my tips are.

1. Rent a Car, there are couple of agencies but I would recommend to find a smaller one (PM if you need an info) because you can give them €100 deposit for a car, not €1200-€1500 that others "reserve" from your credit card. For me having a car here on vacation is cheap and the best option to see the Island.

2. Visit:

• Gozo: Ramla beach, Victoria and Marsalform for good sea food.
• Comino/ Blue Lagoon is very nice but too crowded.
• St. Peters Pool is must have, just watch the car, going there is a really challenging task
• Mdina is must have to check out
• Beaches on the north, Mellieha and Golden Bay for example.

3. Taxis - they are couple of companies but as everybody noted, avoid white ones.
Good ones are: E-Cabs (drivers can be little bit off but OK) and Malta Electric Cabs

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4. Food is not particularly good but they have some good restaurants. Charles Greek is one of my favorites.

5. Night life is good, alcohol is cheap so you should check Paceville

 

[spintee]

↑↑↑


I am not surprised they want 1200 -1500 deposit from what I have seen in this thread, You just about guarantee to get into a smash, They should be hiring tanks just to be on the safe side

 

[CasumoAffiliates]

↑↑↑


I am not surprised they want 1200 -1500 deposit from what I have seen in this thread, You just about guarantee to get into a smash, They should be hiring tanks just to be on the safe side

I rented Kia Ceed for €25 per day and put deposit of €100. You can add additional €10 per day for insurance and you are fully covered. Driving in Malta isn't so bad, e.g for me it was the first time to drive on opposite side.

Basically driving isn't so big issue here.

 

[Captain Rizk]

Many thanks everyone.

Capt. Rizk is that a promise?!
And intend going round various WW2 sites

KK That's about right for hire cars, mine in gran canaria was upgraded from a twingo to a yaris, but a shed and gutless, but air con worked lol. Also who did you rent off?
Not using goldcars. very bad reviews for them.

Bryan, Gozo trip is on the cards.

Jasmine, thanks for advice, intend getting bus card.

And see they do night buses, means the reps can get me drunk Jump on a night bus back to resort, and hopefully not re-invest my winnings back lol.

Hmmm reps buy me drinks? maybe weekend trip to Gibraltar one day?????!!!

Absolutely a promise, just PM me closer to the time and we will sort something out.

 

[andyhinckley]

Again thanks everyone.

Been looking at Tripadvisor, and think Paceville bit lively, more for younger travelers?

Also thinking of maybe booking a room in Valletta area for a night so that I can take in the area and sites.. oh and a drink or 2

Also hear Josef car hire mentioned a lot on tripadvisor. and told to avoid gold car!!

 

[CM_BETAT]

Paceville is your 'club scene'..

If youre more the refined type, you need to be heading to Valletta, Mdina and Birgu.

Karl

 

[spintee]

As long as you enjoy yourself thats what matters, Do not have to many sherbets

If I am looking at the right place its such a small place and didnt know how far it was, You hear about it alot about the place but wow I didnt rellise it was that small of a place, I thought it was always a country outside of spain that the U.K owned

 

[andyhinckley]

Well I have arrived in Malta. Tired. 6 am flight. Up all night at Birmingham airport. So far every one friendly. Up at Ramla Bay resort. Bit remote. Hoping to visit Valletta Sunday or Monday.
Holiday paid for but had a couple months off work (unpaid ), so no car hire or expensive purchases lol!!

 

[Jasminebed]

One month from today I will be there myself! Have a wonderful holiday, let me know if the med is warm enough for swimming yet.

 

[KasinoKing]

Well I have arrived in Malta. Tired. 6 am flight. Up all night at Birmingham airport. So far every one friendly. Up at Ramla Bay resort. Bit remote. Hoping to visit Valletta Sunday or Monday.
Holiday paid for but had a couple months off work (unpaid ), so no car hire or expensive purchases lol!!

A bit remote? You ain't kidding!
When I went to Malta with the family few years ago we stayed in Paradise Bay just down the road from where you are - next to the ferry terminal.
But I chose that remote location on purpose because the kids were quite young and we wanted peace and quiet away from the hubbub of the city.

You should have hired a car though - only cost us about 50 quid for the whole week if I remember correctly

Enjoy your stay!
KK

 

[patience]

One month from today I will be there myself! Have a wonderful holiday, let me know if the med is warm enough for swimming yet.

Depends on approach. My son said it is nice and warm, that was 2 weeks ago. I am not swimming until July tho

 

[Playford7]

Beautiful country and lovely people.
I've been 3 times.
Stayed at st Julian's, was a bit to lively, but fun.
St. Paul's, my favourite place, was relaxed with good food.
And Valletta. Awesome for the history as I took my grandad, he went through malta in ww2 (rip) visited the mosta dome.
Also, blue lagoon and gozo are definately places to visit.
I found taxis reasonable, beer cheap and the place lovely, if it wasn't for all the online casinos this would be a go to holiday for me

 

[jetset]

I agree - been there a couple times and stayed at St George's Bay at a very comfortable hotel called The Corinthian.

Convenient to Valetta and good value for money on most things, imo.

Great people, food, wines and lots of interesting places on the island.

 

[KasinoKing]

I've been invited to go back to Malta for 3 nights for the SigMa conference in November... I probably will go.

I know it's off-season, but looking on Booking.com I found some 3-star hotels for a little as £12 per night - yes TWELVE pounds!
For the richer traveller, you can get a 4-star from £53 for 3 nights...
At these prices I think I can afford to go 5-star - they're only 1 reasonable x100 slot win!

KK