Malta?

[GLENRED]

Was thinking abot going to Malta in 2 weeks time, Can anyone reccomend the best part to stay in ? St Juliens or Salema?? just want relax and be near some nice eating places not intrested in night life.

Many thanks

[Mrs Trackside]

Sliema

[ianash]

Sliema/St Julians are the main tourist area and would be where I would stay. However, Valletta the capital is a lovely old place and links by bus/ferry or taxi to everywhere on this small Island.

[Wacky Racer]

Hi,

Sliema is more a business area, with some nice hotels, but is only a mile or so around the coast from St Julians.

St Julians is probably the most lively area on the island, especially the Paceville, (pronounced Pash-a-vil) district which can be very noisy at night, (especially at weekends) with late night party goers. St Julians overlooks Spinola Bay, which is very pretty, and has many fine eating places. The recently built Portomaso Tower/Hilton hotel is easily the tallest building on the island, and can be seen for many miles...

Both areas are around fifteen minutes bus ride away from the lively capital Valletta.

If you Google both areas, (including images) you should get plenty of info.......

[CarlT]

We stayed at the Radisson SAS Golden Sands a couple of years ago - it was a lovely, relaxing, civilised holiday.

We shopped around on-line and got a bit of a bargain

[Wacky Racer]

CarlT said:

We stayed at the Radisson SAS Golden Sands a couple of years ago - it was a lovely, relaxing, civilised holiday.

We shopped around on-line and got a bit of a bargain

This is a very nice newly built complex at the north of the island overlooking Golden bay, close to the small harbour town of Xemxija..(Pronounced Zhem-she-a).

The snag is it is rather isolated from the rest of the Island, unless you hire a car, (Very cheap), as there is a very limited bus service.

Highlights of Golden bay include a classic car/bike meet at the "Apples eye" cafe every Sunday morning about 9:30, and a trip around the bay and caves on "Charlie's" speedboat......

Golden Bay is Malta's second most popular beach after nearby Mellieha, but in my honest opinion you would be better going somewhere a bit more central like Buggiba or St Julians, (Unless you just want a beach holiday with not too much touring the Island, then Golden Bay is very nice)...

[Mrs Trackside]

Wacky Racer said:

Golden Bay is Malta's second most popular beach after nearby Mellieha, but in my honest opinion you would be better going somewhere a bit more central like Buggiba or St Julians, (Unless you just want a beach holiday with not too much touring the Island, then Golden Bay is very nice)...

I stayed at Mellieha last year and have to agree it is VERY quiet (from memory Golden Bay is even more remote). It was much too quiet - our hotel was full of old people and there was nothing to do or go to eat nearby so a car was essential. I thought Buggiba was a bit "Blackpool"

[anonymous-user]

Have you thought of Rabat (Victoria) on Gozo! Pretty, quiet and a few nice restuarants. Doesnt take long at all on the car ferry! I though Sliema was a st hole! Valletta is much nicer.

[Wacky Racer]

MonkeyMatt said:

Have you thought of Rabat (Victoria) on Gozo! Pretty, quiet and a few nice restuarants. Doesnt take long at all on the car ferry! I though Sliema was a st hole! Valletta is much nicer.

Gozo is a nice place to visit for a day or so, but I don't think I would like to spend a week or fortnight there as it can be very quiet, but that's OK if that's what you want, it's only 30mins on the ferry over to Malta if you fancy a change....

On Gozo, the main places are Xlendi Bay (very quaint/ nice), Marsalforn, (bit of a dump (imo)..)and Ramla bay...not a lot there, but nice clean sand, and of course the capital Victoria with a few decent (small) shops..

I agree with Mrs Trackside, Buggiba can be a "bit" Blackpool, but plenty like it, myself included, it has been improved the last few years with a new sea frontage and "square"....

The lovely beach at Mellieha is very popular in the summer months, but deserted in winter after November, I owned a villa at Mellieha for several years, and have spent the last twenty five years holidaying there, so feel I know the Island and people pretty well.....

Anything else you want to know please feel free to ask......