Everything about Malta for tourists. Malta Travel Tips

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The Maltese archipelago is located in the heart of the Mediterranean. Interestingly, this tiny European state has the same geographical latitude as African Tunisia. The closest to Malta is Sicily (about 90 kilometers by sea), much further south - Libya.

Prices for a trip to Malta are comparable to tours to popular European countries. However, the impressions of the rest are much brighter. For those accustomed to the sandy beaches of Turkey and Egypt, the rocky Maltese coast (for the most part) may not be to your liking. Therefore, tourists who believe that Turkey is the best vacation in the world is not the place here. So that there are no disappointments and negative inadequate reviews about Malta. Understand that the perfect place to relax simply does not exist. Everyone sees it differently.

However, for lovers of history and architecture, it is difficult to find a better place to stay than Malta. Here you can see ancient temples, monuments of art of the Roman, Arab, Phoenician civilizations.

Despite the fact that Malta is a very small state, it has a rich history. There are so many monuments of architecture and culture here that they would be more than enough for several large states. To a large extent, this was facilitated by the geographical position. Let me remind you that the archipelago is located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, and few ships passed by the Maltese islands. Malta was owned by many who had a strong fleet: the Carthaginians and the Phoenicians, the Byzantines and the Romans, then the island was granted to the Order of St. John, the last "owners" were the British. Naturally, each nation left at least something of its own on the islands of Malta. Only the Turks were not lucky, they were never able to conquer the heroic island.

Famous people have visited Malta at various times. The first was Odysseus, fascinated by the nymph Calypso. Then, in 60 AD, a ship was wrecked near the island as a result of a shipwreck, on which the apostle Paul traveled. Napoleon Bonaparte also visited the archipelago, by the way, who captured the islands without a fight at all. One of the most romantic couples, Admiral Nelson and Lady Hamilton, glorified Malta with their presence.

However, perhaps the most interesting history of the stone age (megaliths) and everything related to the reign Knights of St. John. Strictly speaking, Malta and the Order of Malta are inseparable.

More recently, it was believed that the Egyptian pyramids at Giza are the oldest structures on the planet. However, studies have confirmed that megalithic temples found in Malta 1000 - 1500 years older than the oldest of the pyramids! Like this. Is this not a reason to get acquainted with this mysterious country.

It is established that the Megaliths were built approximately 6000 - 7000 years ago from huge boulders. And until now, scientists have not been able to solve the problem of how, in those ancient times, people could move and lift such weights with primitive means. There are several similar places on the islands of Malta: in Gantia, on the island of Gozo. The best preserved structure is located in Hagar Kim ( Hagar Qim), near the village of Krendi.

It is proved that the construction was carried out with the help of stone tools and devices. Although by that time the metal was already universally known. And this is also one of the mysteries of this prehistoric culture.

Outwardly, the Megaliths are somewhat reminiscent of the English Stonehenge. But they actually look much cooler! And solid. But personally, I had a question: why have the Maltese still not “untwisted” these megalithic temples? After all, in fact, few ordinary people in the world know about these structures. It's a pity.

Many unresolved mysteries fraught with Hal Saflieni. This is a huge multi-storey underground structure. called hypogeum. The Hypogeum has been carved into the rock for several centuries. Also, which is not surprising for Malta, stone tools. The true purpose of the hypogeum is not known for certain. Since the remains of several thousand people (!) were found in Khal Saflieni, it is believed that the hypogeum served as a place of burial and cult worship. However, other finds prove that there was such a school for the training of priestesses.

But around 2000 BC, this prehistoric mysterious people completely disappears from view. And as always, only questions without answers. Only incomprehensible traces remained on the Maltese rocks, more precisely, furrows from primitive prehistoric carts on sledges.

The most glorious history of Malta is connected with history of the knightly Order of St. John, which has a different name - hospitallers. I'm not going to tell here about the whole history of the Order. I will only note that at the end of the 13th century, the knights, having lost their positions in the Holy Land, retreated to the island of Rhodes. There they lingered for more than 200 years, holding back Turkish raids on Europe. In 1522, the Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent managed to “knock out” the Ioannites from Rhodes. The knights had an urgent need for a new homeland. And in 1530, Emperor Charles V gave the Order of the Hospitallers land on the islands of Malta, which was very impoverished at that time.

The arrival of the Johnites in Malta revived trade. Almost immediately, defensive structures began to be built. The Order's fund began to receive large donations from all over Europe and booty from pirate attacks on Turkish merchant ships, and the knights' own incomes went up sharply.

Suleiman the Magnificent did not like this and, finally, in 1565 he attacked Malta, sending an army of almost 100,000 to its shores. The Turkish siege continued for several months with constant attacks and shelling from cannons, and the Turks often used the heads of the dead Maltese instead of cannonballs. There were just over a hundred knights in those heroic days on the island.. But they held firm and, however impossible it seemed, it was these knights who won a magnificent victory. They were able to organize the local population, consisting, in fact, of artisans and workers, to protect Malta. Many ordinary people were then granted a knighthood. In the end, the Turkish army of many thousands was forced to retreat.

The unparalleled defense of Malta still lives in people's memory. The Knights of St. John were recognized as the saviors of all of Europe. What happened next was what you can now see in Malta. Enormous funds flowed here in order to turn the country into an impregnable fortress. A masterpiece of fortification art was the newly built city, which was named after Jean Parisot de la Valletta, Grand Master of the Order of St. John and Commander-in-Chief of the Defense of Malta. Subsequently, the capital of the state was moved here.

In various museums in Valletta, the heroic defense of Malta is described in great detail.

Strong empires have come and gone, but the Maltese have remained. They survived everything, and not least thanks to diligence, patience and faith in a better future. At the same time, they managed not to get angry at the whole world. Even vice versa. There is no more friendly and open people on the entire Mediterranean coast. And what I personally liked was respect for the British and no enmity. But they, in fact, were the colonizers of Malta for more than 150 years. This is strange.

Finally, an interesting fact. In 1798, the Russian Emperor Paul I became the Grand Master of the Order of Malta.

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Every year a huge number of tourists come to Malta, most of them Europeans. Russians perceive this small island nation as an educational destination for their children to learn English. There really are a lot of various programs here that will bring the child well to school, and simply increase the language level. However, Malta is underestimated by Russians in terms of sightseeing and beach tourism.

What Malta can please its guests: warm climate, sun, Mediterranean Sea, interesting history backed up by sights, hospitable locals always ready to help, delicious local cuisine, as well as its safety. There is practically no crime in Malta. And given that the situation is now unstable in many countries, choosing Malta for your vacation you guarantee yourself peace and quiet and that nothing bad will happen to you on your trip.

Holidays in Malta are perfect for all tourists. Here you can engage in active sports, the nightlife in Valletta is widely developed, there are many good children's camps.

The accommodation facilities are very diverse: hotels, and apartments, and apartments and even villas, designed for a large number of guests.

Evening Valletta

Pros of living in Malta

1. A large number of historical sights, among which there are very ancient buildings listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

2. In Malta, everyone speaks English - it is the state language, which is convenient for tourists. If you own at least a little of it, then there will be no problems on vacation.

3. Malta is a great place for diving, it is here that there are a huge number of various sunken objects that you can explore on your own.

4. The geographical location of Malta always guarantees a mild warm climate, it is the southernmost point in Europe.

5. The cleanest Mediterranean Sea.

6. Widely developed tourist infrastructure: restaurants, bars, nightclubs, casinos, cabarets, shops and more. Nobody will be bored.

7. Direct flights to Malta, there is no need to make transfers, it is very convenient with children.

8. The absence of any crime.

Cons of holidays in Malta.

1. Very little vegetation.

2. There are very few sandy beaches in Malta, as such, due to the peculiarities of the landscape of Malta. Therefore, if you are only interested in a beach holiday, then it is better not to go here, you may be very disappointed. This also applies to families with children.

3. In Malta, despite the mild climate, very high humidity, it is better to refuse to visit this country in July and August.

4. When choosing a hotel, you should focus not on its star rating, but on the reviews of tourists. Since a 4 * hotel can pull at most 2 *, and 3 * can be as chic as 5 *. Therefore, be careful.

5. Local public transport is very poor, it is better to rent a car. And the hospitality of local drivers leaves much to be desired.

Valletta

Information regarding sandy beaches in Malta.

Yes, indeed, in Malta there is a predominantly rocky entry into the water. But, there are a small number of sandy bays with a good entrance to the sea. There are about 15 of them. The most popular beach among tourists is golden bay- It is located on the west coast. A great place for swimming with children, the beach offers a large number of water activities. If the kids are very small and still swim poorly, then it makes sense to go to the beach Mellieha Bay- this is 50 meters of shallow water with a good entry into the sea, the bottom is fine sand. For lovers of a more secluded holiday and a small number of children on the beach, visit Ghajn Tuffieha- to get here, you will need to go down a steep staircase. But at the end you will find an excellent sandy bay with a good entry into the water.

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Most tourists associate Malta with the Order of Malta, and not without reason. This is one of the few organizations that has passed through the centuries and has practically not changed its principles. There is only one small "but" - geographically the heart of the Order of Malta is located in Italy, and the Maltese archipelago itself was donated by Charles V to the Maltese in 1530, this wise comrade hoped in this way to protect his state from the Turks and pirates and he succeeded. The Order of Malta is an integral part of the archipelago, the monuments of the knightly past have harmoniously become a continuation of the present. Nobility is in the blood of the Maltese, going to Malta you can not worry about safety, here the spiritual and moral sources are so strong that the doors in the houses are often not locked. The islands are very beautiful, the mild climate of the Mediterranean and the sea make the rest truly useful, the picture is complemented by the presence of a huge number of architectural monuments and other attractions.

You can come here by ship or plane. The airport is called Gaudya, already from it you will go further to the chosen resort. You can take a taxi from the airport if you choose this method - take care of this in advance, it will be cheaper. The approximate cost of a taxi ordered through the airport website in two directions will be about 30 euros. If your itinerary allows and there is time and energy for a "passing" excursion - go by bus. The cost of a ticket for a bus from Gaudía to Valletta is approximately 60 euro cents, the number of this route is "8". The buses all look the same, but may differ in color, the route number is indicated on the left side behind the windshield.

Previously, a helicopter taxi was also available (60 euros per person), but probably due to low demand, this service is now unavailable. You can rent a car, but it is worth considering that the traffic is right-handed and you will have to pay not only the cost of renting a car, but also a deposit for it. For a used foreign car, they will take a deposit from 700 to 1000 euros. It doesn’t matter what transport you choose, the main thing is that the country is very hospitable and even if you get lost, they will definitely help you, they will almost bring you by the hand.

Get ready for architectural monuments to be everywhere. Even a simple walk along the street becomes an excursion.

If you are planning shopping as one of the purposes of the trip, then keep in mind that Malta is not the best place for this activity. Of course, there are also large shopping centers, and mono-brand shops, and just interesting shops with a good choice, but low prices are rare, since almost the entire range is imported. It is worth taking a walk in order to shop in Sliema, start the hike from the "parking" of pleasure steamers, walk along the narrow streets inland - there is still a chance to find interesting things, sometimes the price can be attractive. Actually, if you wish, even in Gozo you can make good purchases, especially we liked the shoes. In Valletta, for example, in a shoe shop not designed for tourists, two pairs of women's sandals were bought for 5 and 7 euros made of genuine leather. Most stores close very early and are open only five or six days a week, so it's best not to plan shopping trips on the weekend.

Most of the entertainment in Malta such as clubs / discos / restaurants / concerts is St. Julian's. For fans to "hang out" this is a good place, but there are clubs from the "over 30" category - there will be five people dancing there, the rest of the audience will sadly see the action on the dance floor.

Regarding food, restaurants, pubs, taverns - the cuisine is predominantly Mediterranean, many dishes are borrowed from Italian. They cook pretty well, but restaurants designed for tourists (for example, Paparazzi, Dolce Vita in St. Julian's) are better to bypass. There are two reasons, both are classic - the prices are inadequate, the quality is low. Choose taverns and restaurants away from tourist places, the islands are small, 10-15 minutes walk and you are already in the "outback". In such establishments, not only the cuisine is authentic, the atmosphere itself is conducive to a pleasant stay and getting not only benefit from food, but also pleasure. Before you go all out and order "first, second, third and compote", order a salad and wait for it. Portions are large enough for three people to eat one meal. One of the traditional names on the menu is rabbit. Look at the photo, there is half a rabbit carcass, half a kilo of potatoes and, in addition, carrots and beans - it is assumed that this is the second dish for one person.

Traditionally, in any tavern, delicious breads are presented, often their own pastries, cheese, olives, anchovies, a good selection of wines, fish dishes. Prices vary, as elsewhere, the bill can be 12-15 euros for a set lunch, 5 for a pizza for two, 30 for a three-course dinner and alcohol for two, or 30 for the same set for each.

If you come for a long time and rent an apartment, then you can cook it yourself, it is better to buy products in large chain markets, with the exception of cheese, bread and olives - these are better to choose in small private shops or markets.

You can come to Malta with children, the only thing worth considering is that there are practically no sandy beaches, the only option for kids is swimming pools, but there are enough of them at hotels. Also pay attention to the fact that in the winter months here, although rarely, there is quite windy weather.

The main features of the island of Malta, the photo of which you will see in this article, are secluded bays, amazingly blue water, medieval citadels, as well as magnificent churches built in the Baroque style. Every year, tourists from all over the world visit the coast of Malta in order to get acquainted with the architectural monuments of the island, enjoy the taste of seafood or take a walk through the colorful villages. Holidays in Malta can be safely recommended to every person. Do you prefer to sunbathe without rushing anywhere? In this case, the beaches of this resort will be the perfect solution for you. Those who choose active entertainment for themselves should go sightseeing on the island.

The Maltese archipelago, located in the Mediterranean Sea, includes 3 islands - Comino, Gozo and Malta. At the same time, the latter is incredibly colorful and miniature, as you can see by finding the island of Malta on the map. Its length is 27 km with a width of 14.5 km. This state was previously owned by the Arabs, the Romans, Napoleon, and the Queen of England. Therefore, in order to see all its sights, tourists will need more than one week, although we can safely say that the time spent is worth it.

Malta in autumn

The climatic conditions of autumn in this place have a diverse characteristic. Holidays in Malta in September are not suitable for everyone. Here begins the velvet season, which can both please and grieve. Periodically, one has to complain about the rapid change in the weather associated with the proximity of the Mediterranean winter. Although if you take it as a whole, then a holiday in Malta in September is incredibly romantic and hot.

In October, the temperature is not so high, although there is still the opportunity to enjoy the echoes of summer. The number of cloudless clear days is getting smaller. This is due to the increase in precipitation. Although they are short-lived and, apart from the increase in humidity, do not cause other inconveniences. It is likely that showers are not the most joyful phenomenon for people, but this cannot be said about nature. After a hot summer, it comes to life before our eyes, covered with colorful flowers and greenery, which excites the imagination of vacationers on the island of Malta. Holidays in October here suggest that tourists will think over their wardrobe more carefully than usual. You can't rely on temperatures alone. It is also necessary to take into account the piercing winds, due to which the coolness is perceived "sharper", and the periodic absence of the sun. You need to bring a windproof jacket, comfortable hiking shoes, trousers and a pair of raglans and long-sleeved sweaters with you.

Climatic conditions in November are ambiguous here. From this month, all the islands begin to "cool down". Autumn is finally taking shape. But we must remember that in this place it is different from ours. It is still very warm during the day, and the sun occasionally peeks out in the sky. By the way, in November the duration of sunshine is equal to that which is recorded in the summer in the northwestern region of Europe. There is a huge advantage in traveling to the island of Malta at this time - holidays, the prices for which are usually quite high here, become more affordable at this time (a weekly ticket can be purchased for 25,000 rubles). Hills and valleys are covered with greenery, and near the houses of local residents, bougainvilleas and hibiscus begin to bloom actively. Pumpkins, pomegranates and olives ripen in vegetable gardens and orchards. In general, nature does not plan to go to sleep. Rather, on the contrary, after the downpours that hit the archipelago, it seems to have a 2nd wind, which is what makes Malta beautiful this season. Holidays in November will give pleasure to all nature lovers. Although warm clothes are still worth taking with you.

Valletta

Holidays in Malta are hard to imagine without a visit to Valletta, the capital of the republic. It is better to start your acquaintance with the city with a walk from the City Gate to the Cathedral of St. John, in which every corner is gilded, covered with intricate carvings or painted. Then, sitting in a horse-drawn cab, ride along the fortress walls, admiring the stunning panorama of the Great Harbour. By the way, a cab driver will tell the whole history of the island in a half-hour ride. The final chord will be a boat trip on the "sea taxi" around Valletta. There are a great many of these long, colorful boats.

It is also exciting to travel on rare Bedford buses that carry passengers around the city. These orange and yellow cars went to the Maltese after the British, in fact, as well as mailboxes and red telephone booths. The Maltese are just in love with these buses! They are everywhere: on towels, fridge magnets, ashtrays, mugs… The central interchange of buses is located at the City Gates, from where it is convenient to start the journey to the knights' fortresses (Sengleia, Cospicua and Vittoriosa). In addition, it is not difficult to get to the ruins of megalithic temples, which are at least a thousand years older than the pyramids of Egypt. And, of course, to Mdina - the first capital of Malta, which has a huge number of souvenir shops selling delicate lace, Maltese glass, elegant silver jewelry, as well as models of sailboats.

There are also secluded rocky beaches near Valletta. They can be easily reached by renting a bicycle. Diving is especially good here, because the remains of once sunken ships lie in the clear local waters, colorful fish flock by in whole flocks, and octopuses can be found in the rocks.

Sights of Malta

If we talk about holidays in Malta, then all kinds of excursions are its highlight. Description of all local attractions can take more than one article.

Particularly noteworthy are the ancient megalithic temples (for example, Ggantija, which is located on the island of Gozo), the Ar Dalam and Hypogeum caves, the catacombs of St. Paul and St. Agatha (in Rabat), as well as the temple in Most.

Those who are still more drawn to nature should go to see the cliffs of Ta "Cenc and Dingli Cliffs, as well as the Azure Window, an amazing natural arch. Among the most unusual attractions are the tracks of prehistoric carts in Ta" Cenc, Clapham Junction and on the territory of San Gwann.

Gastronomic delights in Malta

Having arranged a holiday in Malta, be sure to try the rabbit cooked in wine sauce. Each restaurant prepares it differently depending on the wine used. But the best way to feel the flavor of the local cuisine is to be in the bus terminal of the capital, where on the square there is a huge number of stalls stuffed with buns, national sweets, and pies. These treats cost a penny, while allowing you to fully experience Malta "taste".

The beaches of Malta

The sandy beaches of the island stretch along the entire coast, at the border with the sea, turning into a gentle, pleasant shoal.

The most popular beach is Mellieha Bay. In addition, it is the longest: its length is fifty meters of pure golden sand. It is located near Mellieha, in fact, and got its name in his honor.

On the west coast, you should pay attention to the Golden Bay beach - a sandy bay, which is located between two capes.

But on Ain Tuffiha, you will have to go down the stairs from the hotel to be on the beach. This is, of course, a great workout for the muscles, but for families with children, this option may not be the most convenient.

To get to Jnaina Bay, you will need to drive through the town of Mgarr, which is famous for its market, as well as sellers who are accommodating for discounts. The beach is limited by white flat rocks in the form of platforms, and this gives the whole landscape a special charm. The combination of bright azure sea and snow-white rocks is striking in its beauty.

In the central part of the coast is Paradise Bay - a very small sandy beach. Nearby there is a ferry to Gozo. In this place you will also find a staircase from the hotel to the beach.

In the town of Birzebbuja in the southeastern region of the coast of Malta, there is a very quiet and pretty Preity Bay - a great place for a secluded, relaxing holiday.

Right on the beach, you can buy or rent beach accessories (beach mats, sun loungers, swimwear, towels and umbrellas), quench your thirst with all kinds of non-alcoholic soft drinks or cocktails, dine in a restaurant or have a snack in a cafe.

Of the entertainment on the beaches of Malta, the most popular boat trips on water skis, canoes and scooters, as well as parachuting and paragliding. The kids will love the banana ride.

Excursions and entertainment

Tourists will appreciate the widest range of opportunities for active recreation. The Maltese Islands until mid-autumn offer scuba diving, sailing, canoeing and jet skiing, paragliding, skydiving - it's hard to list everything. Fans of the sea will be able to go on a cruise to admire the beauty of the secluded corners of the country and see a lot of interesting things in a short time. But you need to hurry: the navigation season closes at the end of September. Those who are not limited in time can choose bus excursions to explore the archipelago, as well as independent trips in a rental car. Malta is a museum island, striking with the abundance of monuments of forgotten civilizations, which testify to the diversity of its entire history.

But if you are one of those people who welcome everything unusual and new, then you will be interested in a half-hour train tour, whose route runs past the main historical sights, including: the Greek Gate, the Roman Villa, the monastery of St. Dominic.

Splash-and-Fun, amusement park

Located in Bahar ich-Chak, between St. Paul's Bay and Sliema. The park consists of a theme park and a water park, which has the largest water slides in this area of the Mediterranean. There are also 2 swimming pools with parasols and sun loungers. The park features a railway, models of prehistoric animals, roller coasters, carousels, inflatable castles in which children can jump from the heart.

Mediterraneo Marine Park, marine park

It is located near Splash-and-Fun. Here the underwater world is represented by sea lions, Black Sea dolphins, as well as many fish in a huge aquarium. Several times a day, performances are organized in the park, the active participants of which are sea animals.

Popeye Village Amusement Park

The park is located near Mellieha, not far from Enker Bay. In 1980, a film about the sailor Papaya was filmed in Malta. After filming, all the sets were kept, and the set was turned into Popeye Village. This place has a swimming pool, roller coasters, water slides, a lazy river, a children's railway, many attractions, children's electric cars, and a cinema center.

Animated performances and free skiing are held here for children. Weather permitting, visitors are invited on a 20-minute schooner tour along the coast of the bay.

Language classes

Many go to Malta to combine their holidays with learning another language. The resort offers a huge variety of activities, regardless of the training and age of people. In addition to general courses, there are also specialized ones - for example, for people traveling on business trips abroad, or students.

The openness of the inhabitants of the island to foreigners makes it possible to instantly overcome the language barrier - in stiff England it is more difficult to step over oneself. Not every Maltese is fluent in the language, so they are well aware of the difficulties that arise in our country.

The islanders teach in schools, as well as invited teachers from the USA or England - this is necessary when you want to learn how to speak without an accent or train your ear for pronunciation.

Why is Malta so popular with language learners? To begin with, it is worth noting that the prices here are humane. So, the general course will cost you 100 euros per week, and the intensive course will cost you 144 euros. You can live in hostels or in a family, while the latter option costs 120 euros per week, in winter it is cheaper. In addition, the whole of Malta is open for you in your free time: beach holidays, ancient cities, seaside cafes are always at hand. Thus, a trip here is the most enjoyable method of learning a language.

In this place it is forbidden to appear on the beach without a swimsuit.
It is customary to tip here.
It is forbidden to enter the church in beach clothes or in a headdress.
Smoking is not allowed in public places in Malta. At the same time, citizens can report on those institutions that do not comply with this ban.
Residents of Malta go to bed at 20:00. Life in the cities comes to a standstill after dark.
Hotels in Malta have two- and three-pole sockets. You do not need to bring an adapter from home, they can be purchased on the island.
On the island of Malta, prices are quite high - a six-day stay in a hotel starts from 1800 euros, while taking money with you is not necessary - there are ATMs everywhere.

Possible dangers

Too hot sun can cause heat stroke. Therefore, you need to use any available means of protection: creams, a hat, sunglasses - all this can be purchased near the beach. No need to sunbathe between 11:00-17:00, when the sun is especially harmful.

At sea, due to inattention, you can get a huge number of cuts on underwater sharp stones. They are especially numerous on rocky beaches. In order to return home without wounds and rested, you need to purchase rubber slippers.

Nightlight jellyfish, sea urchins and fireworms are often found close to the beach in shallow water. Communication with these creatures can cause a lot of trouble. Although you can eliminate the burn of a jellyfish yourself: you need to moisten the wound with sea water, then remove the poison and gently rinse with vinegar.

Holidays in Malta: reviews of tourists

Vacationers' opinions about the island differ, although this is mainly due to what time of year they were here. So, from the beginning of spring to mid-autumn, visitors here admire the wonderful climate, turquoise water and excellent opportunities for recreation. But those who want to spend holidays in Malta in October-November have different reviews - the rainy season begins here, which makes few people happy. Although at this moment nature “wakes up”, starting to delight the eye with all its colors. In addition, there is a great opportunity to slowly explore the island with all its many attractions.

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Malta weather map:

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Fort Rinella in Malta - a must seen of your trip

The most striking impression from traveling to Malta is Fort Rinella, the remnants of the English presence on the island. A classic English fort with a great program. Everything for tourists - and a demonstration of weapons, and performances of horse guards. Moreover, for a small amount, each tourist can absolutely independently shoot both from a Berdanka and from a full-fledged cannon, try on a guardsmen costume along with a pith helmet. The tour is in English, everything is absolutely clear and visual.

Tourists do not visit the Mdina Catacombs that are located at the entrance to the city of Mdina Malta.

You will not see anything interesting there - old, dusty, poorly made wax dolls.

The spectacle is low quality and not interesting. But your wallet will be stolen there.

There is a gang of swindlers-pickpockets in the group there are young girls. Administration

The catacombs cover for scammers. Thefts happen regularly. All this is happening

20 meters from the police station. But the police won't help you

Too small - gets bored quickly. Beaches with poor access to the sea

Did not like:

Little greenery.
An inconvenient entrance to the sea - some kind of gangway at the rock (we rested at the Radisson Hotel).
Not very tasty cuisine (compared to other countries in this region).

Visited once and won't go again.

“The whole truth about Malta. Nobody will tell you that! A look from within. »

Place of stay in Malta - Victoria.

Never eat traditional Maltese sheep's cheese. This cheese is made by private individuals. On the example of one sheep: A sheep is taken (these sheep are kept on their own shit, not cleaned for half a year - a year), a bucket for milk is taken, which is washed once a month. The sheep is being milked. Manure pellets are fished out of milk by a baby. Then the milk is filtered into another bucket, which is washed with the same frequency as the first. Lactic acid bacteria are added to the milk and after half an hour the milk curdles. The degree of readiness of the mass is checked with a finger, which no one washes either. Further, this mass is laid out in molds and placed on a pallet where the whey will drain. These molds are there for a day. In winter it is still tolerable, and in summer the serum turns sour instantly, flies drown in it, of which there are simply an unmeasured number (all bitten returned, although she took all sorts of fumigators like raptor with her). Next, the cheese is laid out to dry on a grate outside, where it also serves as a snack for flies. The flies move like this: from sheep dung to cheese and back. After drying until the moment of sale, the cheese is put in a box on the street. Before selling, dusty cheese is washed with a brush in a bowl of water. The brush is the same as for cleaning floors and carpets. Why buy a special one? Again dried and sold. Cheese is used to make something in between pizza and cheesecake. It is also sprinkled with pepper and sold in the form of curds. Fresh, not yet drained cheese can be offered to you along with artichokes. In general, always ask if there is cheese in the dish. Food with cheese for extreme people.

Well, the fact that taxi drivers take from tourists a couple - three times more expensive than from locals, I think there is no need to explain. It's everywhere. Similarly, they can try to do it in shops and eateries. Therefore, it is better to always take goods with price tags, and in eateries to remember the prices on the menu. If, due to some circumstances, you need to live in Malta for longer than two weeks and there is a prospect that they will send you something from abroad, keep in mind that parcels are opened at the post office, under the pretext that they need to know what was sent to you. This is such a democracy.

Local short-legged, bow-legged, unshaven and smelly (in the literal sense of the word, they bathe a maximum of once a week, and the old people do not wash at all, they shave once a week, they brush their teeth when they shave) men consider themselves irresistible Apollos and constantly pester on the beaches. Well, at least they are sent easily.

Animal lovers and advocates should not come here at all. Dogs live on rooftops. Hot from the sun in summer, icy from rain in winter. They love to catch migratory songbirds here. Then they are kept in 20x10 cm cages. These bird cages are used to lure flying birds. Several birds are tied to special long sticks and shaken periodically so that the tied birds flutter and lure their relatives. None of the birds caught live longer than three years.

I will only note that those horses, which are abundant in Valletta and Mdina, starve in winter and turn into skeletons. There is no need to feed the cattle if there are no tourists. This applies to all horses used for riding tourists.

Sometimes our compatriots are “lucky” (like my sister) and, if the Maltese does not prefer short-term relationships, then you can build a family with him. Most of the current Russian-Maltese marriages begin as holiday romances. A foreign wife or mistress is the prestige of a man in the eyes of his friends.

As for the appearance, tourists do not have to complex, so against the background of the local population, you will be considered a supermodel, even if you are up to the notorious 90-60-90 as up to the Cosmos.

Malta is a small island state, where several thousand migrants from hot spots have resettled in the last 2-3 years. They are no different from those that terrorize continental Europe. Therefore, there is a danger: robberies at night, theft, molestation of women. There are no other dangers in Malta, except for sunstroke and stones thrown under your feet))).

I don’t see anything attractive in Malta - stones, traumatic beaches, exorbitant prices, similar museums ... and the constant divorce of tourists for money. A classic example of how to make money by selling tickets to a banal Pyatigorsk failure. Looks like they learned from Ostap Ibragimovich.

Neutral Feedback

My eldest daughter is studying in Malta. My baby and I took her there in October. From the beautiful: the climate, the lack of compatriots of an understandable type)), the eurozone, which means calmness and reliability, Considering that this is a small island, everything is close, and the airport and attractions. In general, Malta itself is religious and law-abiding. Of the inconveniences, there are few hotels (we lived in apartments), there are practically no beaches (as we imagine it), the entry into the sea is definitely not for children! We looked for a piece of sand and went in there, but where there was sand there were a lot of algae. We ate in the school cafeteria, and there was no question of what to feed the baby. My daughter happens to be in public catering, she says everything is fresh and tasty. Supermarkets have everything a mother with a child needs, including cereals and jars. They write here that it is boring in Malta, I agree. If I went to rest myself, I would take all the time with excursions, but there really is nothing to do with the baby. We went to the playground, which got tired after three days))

Despite all the problems with migrants that have been shaking many European countries lately, Malta has been and remains a safe country. But this does not mean that you need to relax and completely forget about all the precautions, since theft and pickpocketing, although they are not often encountered, they do exist. The only thing worth giving up is renting a car, as recently there has been a significant increase in theft of parked cars. Also, do not leave valuables in cars (regardless of whether in a conspicuous place or not). It is advisable to leave money and documents in a safe (in the room or at the hotel reception).

Rest can be spoiled by jellyfish and sea urchins. To protect against jellyfish, they even install special nets, but this does not always help. In addition to precautions, it is advisable not to save on insurance. Insurance should include the provision of a full range of services abroad, etc.

There are practically no sandy beaches in Malta. Swimming in the sea - from the rocks. I recommend taking beach slippers with you (or leaving them on the shore, or those models in which you can swim).

There are ancient fortresses, forts, bastions, quite interesting if you are interested in history. But, in my opinion, it is better to visit them in late spring or mid-autumn, when it is not too hot.

On hot days, only tourists walk along the promenades during the day :-). Locals like to walk with families after ten in the evening and until late.

There are practically no problems with refugees on the island. They do not like Malta because there is no way to get to "Europe" from there without documents. This is not Italy with open internal Schengen borders ... And the locals are somewhat reminiscent of Corsicans - they are not particularly tolerant :-)

There are no beach holidays in Valletta. Anyway, IMHO, Malta is not the best place for a beach holiday: there are few sandy beaches (two, it seems), and they are all far from Valletta (40-60 minutes by bus). There are beaches in Sliema (it’s 5 minutes by boat from Valletta), but they are uncomfortable - an uneven, slippery sandstone slab, from which an iron ladder descends into the water (public), or a concreted area with the same descent (hotel - for a lot of money, if You do not live in this hotel).

If you decide to go to the beach - not earlier than mid-June, the beach season opens there from the 15th. The water at this time is 20-21 degrees.

If you just look - it's better in the spring, March-April - it's not hot and the greenery has not yet had time to burn out.

Almost all transport (with the exception of a certain number of direct routes from Sliema / St. Julians to the sandy-beach areas) goes through the bus station in Floriana (the city is the immediate neighbor of Valletta). From here you can go to any or almost any point on the island.

From Chirkevva there is a ferry to Gozo.

Objects to visit are megaliths (in Malta and Gozo), buildings from the time of the knights (Valletta), the medieval capital (Mdina) with its suburbs (Rabat), natural beauties (Blue Grotto in Malta, Blue Window in Gozo). Many things. :) Malta is a very interesting country, with a completely individual flavor, a mix of Europe, Asia and Africa.

Was at the beginning of the month in Malta for work...

it’s somehow boring there, IMHO ... the bulk of vacationers are pensioners slowly stomping and staring around))

I thought at first to take my family with me, but it’s good that I changed my mind - Malta is not the best place to relax with children ...

From what I liked - the climate is very comfortable - it's hot during the day, but not languishing heat - it's cool in the evening and at night! sleeping with an open window is very comfortable .. well, people are friendly and positive)

but I repeat - I was there for work and, probably, I could not fully understand all the delights of tourist Malta ...

Positive reviews

Holidays in Malta - What is called a rest to the glory!

Advantages: Architecture Blue Lagoon Cheap

Flaws: Not suitable for families with small children

Malta is an amazing country, picturesque and youthful. I visited there at the end of July, the heat was unbearable, so my regimen was like this, Sleep from 3 to 6 and then from 12 to 17, the rest of the time I walked and explored the surroundings. Sports in the morning, sea, beach, sightseeing in the evening, parties at night. I visited all three islands of Malta, most of all I liked the island of Comino, where the blue lagoon is located. To move around the country, I bought a tourist pass for 7 days for 21 euros. Prices in Malta are not high, you can eat in a cafe for 10-20 euros. Malta is a country for active recreation and culture, there are no sandy beaches at every turn, there are only a few of them, and they are equipped with so-so, around the rock, the whole island is a big piece of rock. I do not recommend for families with small children, but in general a very cool resort.

Holidays in Malta - For lovers of architecture

Advantages: It definitely won't be boring

Flaws: Few beaches

If you are already tired of the monotonous resort towns, or vice versa, on your first trip you want something unusual, then no doubt Malta is what you need. If you want to see beautiful ancient cities, then for this you will not even need to purchase excursions and long hours of shaking on the bus, just leaving your hotel and going into the city you will get everything you want. There you can walk for hours and enjoy nature and architecture. You should definitely visit the night show about the Knights of Malta, where you can enjoy a dinner made of old dishes, homemade Maltese wine, as well as see the performance: the Knights of Malta in costumes and the story that they will show you in colors and movement. The weather in Malta is good, warm but humid. There are special beaches where you can swim comfortably, but you usually need to go to them and there are not so many of them. However, they swim almost anywhere, only there are few sandy or pebble beaches, sometimes you have to jump into the sea from a stone embankment. So if you want to warm up, enjoy the beautiful views, learn a lot of new things, then you should definitely go to Malta.

Malta - Modern and Medieval

For me, Malta was surrounded by a certain halo of mystery because of the Order of Malta of the same name. After a trip to this country, I learned that although it is a parliamentary republic, the position of this influential order of St. John is still strong in the financial and public sphere. I really liked Malta itself for its unusual form of recreation. There are few sandy beaches in Malta. The coast is mostly rocky. You need to go down into the sea along the handrails, just like in a regular swimming pool. And I, a lover of swimming, really enjoyed it. Although, each coastal hotel has all the conditions for sunbathing and swimming in its own outdoor pools.

In my subjective opinion, Malta can be considered a single historical monument. There is something to see here:

Valletta, the capital and fortified city, through which we rode with a cab and a pair of horses harnessed;

Mdina - the city of silence and the ancient capital of Malta;

Marsaxlokk, a fishing village where we ate Maltese-style seafood a couple of times;

St. Julian's is the area of the island of Malta where we lived and where the nightlife is in full swing.

And we also took a ferry to Gozo (or Gozo), which offers beautiful views and is just nice to walk around. Both islands, Malta and Gozo, have retained their medieval aura and attraction, and we will definitely return here, perhaps in early autumn, when there are not so many tourists, and the sea is still warm and pleasant.

Holidays in Malta reviews of tourists 2017 (Malta, Mdina) - Relatives demanded confirmation.

Advantages: In a review.

Flaws: No.

My friend became a widow, but the widow did not grieve for long and married a former cosmonaut who lives in Zelenograd in a beautiful two-level apartment.

They invited me to visit, at the evening dinner they started talking about rest (I was going to rest with them on the Baltic Sea when there was a warm current).

The owner directly boasted that from Kaliningrad you can get to anywhere in the world, and I kept up the conversation and asked: is it bad to go to Malta?

The next day, I did not remember this conversation - which does not happen at dinner, but by lunchtime the owner (the honor of the officer) gave us a lot of information about Malta and we got excited to visit the place where the film "The Count of Monte Cristo" was filmed - said, done .

We flew from Gdansk, I'm still happy that I was so lucky in my life.

All organizational issues were answered by our man, I had no money, but then I gave my friend twenty thousand (she said that this was quite enough) for ten days of heavenly rest.

We rested and swam in the Blue Lagoon - I have never seen the most beautiful place in my life: the beach is sandy, the entrance is gentle, during our vacation one girl was severely stung by a jellyfish, it turned out to be burned.

The weather turned out to be sunny and pleasant, we did not lie in the room, but tried to learn as much as possible about the customs of this small state, visited Valletta, the capital of Malta, which is located on the northeastern coast of the island. There are practically no modern buildings in the city, it is located on the slope of Skibarras mountain and has a corresponding relief. Malta was granted to the spiritual knightly Order of Malta. The walls of buildings here and there are decorated with a wide variety of coats of arms.

The Master's Palace in Valletta made an impression, and the Inquisitorial Palace in Vittoriosa left an indelible mark at all - it is interesting to see how sophisticated humanity was in carrying out torture.

The cities are very cramped, the streets are narrow, I don’t feel very comfortable in crowded places, I don’t have enough air and light, but it’s very beautiful.

Quite a strange thing on the beach, where the surf caresses the ear, and the sun caresses the skin. Here I feel free.

The country of Malta consists of three islands in the Mediterranean Sea: Malta, Gozo and Comino. We visited Gozo - nature untouched by man. Actually a fairy tale! The color of the sea is special!

They were satisfied with the rest, returned to Kaliningrad, and then I flew home - even my relatives did not believe me that I was in Malta.

My friend and I traveled to Malta in June. At this time, the water is already warmed up, and the tan quickly and well lays down?. The state is small, in a few days you can see historical cities and sights. We liked Mdina and the ancient capital of Valletta. In cities, houses are placed at a very small distance from each other in order to create shade. We lived in the party town of the island - St. Julian's, where there are many bars, discos, cafes and shops. For lovers of shisha (as the Maltese call hookah), there is a cozy bar where you can sit on pillows in the open air. The beaches are small and rocky, the water is clear. For a change, you can get to the sandy beach by transport, we went to Golden Bay (by the way, it was there that the film "Troy" was filmed), as well as to the island of Gozo: the water there is amazing and the sand is snow-white, only places for sunbathing are uncomfortable - on the slope of the cliff. But you can rent a sunbed for 5 euros.

I remember the Maltese cats :) There are a lot of them on the island, much more than people. They are larger than our Russians and their face is different.

As for the food, I can say that the portions in the cafe are large (one is definitely enough for two girls), there are establishments for different budgets and tastes. We liked that the island has a lot of tourists from all over the world. Here are a few rules of conduct in Malta: if a passer-by smiles at you, is it customary to smile back?; when crossing the road, it is enough to stretch your hand towards the car so that the driver slows down; in a nightclub it is considered normal if you touch your ass, you do not need to react aggressively; When meeting and parting, do people kiss each other on both cheeks? There is also a not very pleasant thing - cockroaches (huge and flying!). Well, in general, we liked the rest, if possible, we will go again).

Advantages: Great place to relax.

Flaws: A bit expensive

I vacationed there this summer. If it were my will or if there was a lot of money, I would go there for the weekend. People, if you have enough rustling bills, you need to go to Malta and rest there for the maximum possible time allotted for vacation. You will have a sea of impressions and emotions. Have a nice rest!

General impression:

Beautiful place!