Hello! My friends and I are planning a trip to Malta this summer and we would love to hear any tips on things to do or things we should know.
Please share your stories.
The Blue Lagoon on Comino is amazing but finding a spot in the summer can be tough. Be ready to pay for some uncomfortable deck chairs on rocky shores.
Watch out for jellyfish if you decide to swim. I got stung a couple of times. Don’t forget your sunscreen and some antihistamine cream too.
Avoid using SMART Car rentals at the airport. They are a scam and will come up with some ridiculous charges.
David Niven once described Malta in his autobiography as a place of chaos. I might be mixing it up a bit since it’s been so long since I read it 
Ren said:
David Niven once described Malta in his autobiography as a place of chaos. I might be mixing it up a bit since it’s been so long since I read it
Hahahah that’s a bit scary
Malta has so many ancient finds including what might be ancient train tracks and temples that are thousands of years old. Make sure to check these out along with their fortifications.
Don’t miss out on walking through the countryside.
Malta, especially Gozo, is my favourite spot for snorkelling. I’ve been coming to the islands since the 1980s.
The summer gets busy and hot but if you enjoy swimming and snorkelling there are plenty of fantastic spots all around. Look online for the best swimming areas.
If you want a car rental, I suggest checking out Victoria Garage in Gozo. They can arrange a taxi to and from the airport for you. The price is reasonable and it is a friendly small family business, no rip-off franchises here.
Buses are frequent and affordable but traffic can be worse than before and sometimes buses get stuck in jams just like cars.
I visited last September and we spent most of our time enjoying the sea. The temples can get quite hot, but lots of museums have air conditioning and cafes usually have fans outside.
If you can, I’d recommend staying in Gozo and just taking trips to Malta. Everything there is easy to get to without too much driving or bus rides.
However, Gozo is quieter, so if you’re into partying, you’ll want to stay in Malta.
Check out the ancient temples. Free diving and snorkelling in the blue lagoon is a must (remember to bring your own mask and snorkel). The Popeye village is cool too; it’s the original set from the Robin Williams movie. Make sure to reserve for the hypogeum in advance. Mdina is the walled city, and you can get some Malta glass there. Only visit the torture museum if you’re okay with some disturbing stuff.
Most of these locations can be visited using hop on hop off bus tours, which I highly suggest.
The locals are really friendly. You’re in for a great time.
@liliana
I totally agree about reserving the hypogeum; it was the highlight of my visit.
Definitely rent a car.
The bus system is really messy, often unreliable, and takes forever to get anywhere (it stops every couple of meters) and some buses are just too full to get on.
I recommend visiting Valetta, we went during the day. We explored Rabat, Mdina, and San Anton Gardens, and those are a must-see. We loved Popeye’s village; it’s charming with mini golf, day beds, and swimming. We had a tour to Comino and Gozo that also allowed for either visiting a salt flat or a boat to a cove. Most chose the salt flat but swimming in the cove was the best part of the trip for me.
Mixed feelings about riding horses at sunset by the sea. I enjoyed it, but my husband struggled since it was his first time riding. The horses slipped on the limestone at times.
Marsaxlokk is a pretty fishing village with nice seafood restaurants, but we visited on market day and it was packed. We also took a catacombs tour, which was alright for me, but I felt a bit claustrophobic. It was nice to escape the sun for a bit.
We stayed at Radisson Blue Golden Bay Sands, which was stunning. It isn’t near much, but has its own private beach. Right next to it is a public beach that was lovely too. We loved the casual food at Munchies Golden Bay - Spiaggia D’Oro.
Make sure to bring sun protection, not just sunscreen. I wore a hat every day, which is unusual for me, but it was really hot.
Have an amazing time!
@Oran
I’m headed there in April. I’ve been looking into staying at Valletta. Do you think that’s a good idea? It seems like you did a lot despite being away from the action. Did you rent a car? Who did you do the Comino and Gozo tour with? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks for any tips you can give.
@Harper
It’s a small island, but traffic can be bad. We were awakened by goats and our neighbor shouting at her kids, but we had a pool and a beautiful private bay that looked like paradise. I love city life, so I think staying in Valletta would be awesome. I would need air conditioning though. Some mentioned that St. John’s Bay is nice if you’re into nightlife, but I can’t confirm that as we didn’t check it out.
@Oran
Thank you! Haha that sounds so authentic! I’m not interested in nightlife so I’ll skip St. John. The bay you mentioned sounds amazing. Thanks for getting back to me! 
I’m currently in Malta! I’ve been here for three weeks. Don’t spend $30 on a Gozo tour. Do it on your own! I wasted 30 euros on a boat tour and those red hop on hop off buses are a scam.
My favorite spot here is COMINO island. The Blue Lagoon and really anywhere on Comino are stunning.
You have some choices:
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Fast ferry from Valletta to Gozo for about $12 round trip. Then you buy a ticket to Comino from Ebson’s for $10 round trip. Don’t stress about the caves; it’s just a quick experience. It’s an extra $3.
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Take a bus or Uber to Port Cirkewwa. From there, you can take the public ferry to Gozo for free (there’s a fee of $4.50 only on the way back). You can then get your Comino ticket from Ebson’s.
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Go to Port Cirkewwa and buy a Gozo & Comino ticket from Ebson’s for $13 round trip, which includes both islands.
Remember, you can mix things up. If you want to stay late in Gozo, you can take the 11 PM public ferry back. I tried the red power catamaran hop on hop off bus and it was the absolute worst! They kept charging me extra and I had to arrange my own return trip. It was cheaper and much more fun.
Although it’s not running anymore, Dinner in the Sky was incredible. The hop-on, hop-off tours are worth it, and you really need to see Valletta at night and have dinner there. Popeye’s Village was okay, but not what I expected. It’s fun and has a lot of history. If you’re brave, you should try the rabbit stew; it’s the national dish and really tasty.
@Wilkie
That sounds yummy!
Dinner in the sky? As in being lifted or just at a high place?
Is Popeye’s related to the cartoon character?
Adley said:
@Wilkie
That sounds yummy!
Dinner in the sky? As in being lifted or just at a high place?
Is Popeye’s related to the cartoon character?
Dinner in the sky is an experience in various countries where you’re strapped to a table and lifted by a crane while enjoying a four-course meal with views all around. Popeye’s village was built for the original Popeye movie in the 80s. For dinner, there are some fancy restaurants, but it’s usually easy to get a table; I usually ask my hotel for help with this. It’s also nice to go to Valletta and enjoy one of the small restaurants, where they put tables out on the cobbled streets. I would advise against the casino; it’s pretty dull with limited games.
Ten years ago, the electrical outlets were similar to those in the UK. Depending on where you’re coming from, you might need an adapter.
Our Airbnb only had one adapter for six of us. 
You should stay in Sliemma. That was the best decision I made during my trip. Spend one day in Gozo and another in Comino.