Valletta Malta

[Anna201213]

I would like to know if it is necessary to take shore excursion for this place or if we can only visiting by ourselves. Thanking you in advance for your reply

[doubledobles]

Anna,

 

As I remember it, there is public transportation from where the ship docks to outside of the city of Valetta. Same goes for the return bus trip to the port. The ride is no longer than five minutes.

[cbb]

yes, you can visit by yourself and when we were there, there was a city bus waiting for us to board which took us to the city gate and when we were done we took a bus back to the dock. They made it very easy for us.

[loum140]

It has been some years, but as I recall we paired with another couple from our cruise and took a taxi to the ancient walled city of Mdina - which was wonderful - then returned to Valletta (making another stop along the way to see the Miracle Church). Afterwards, we walked through Valletta, then returned to the ship. All in all, a very nice day.

[JimandStan]

I would like to know if it is necessary to take shore excursion for this place or if we can only visiting by ourselves. Thanking you in advance for your reply

 

Unless you're willing to do your homework regarding the gigantic sacrifice that the Maltese made during WWII, you will get much more out of your visit by doing a tour, or getting a guide.

Sites like the Hypogeum must be booked well in advance, as they only allow 80 visitors in per day. Online it seemed as if the dates we wanted were fully booked, but our Guide was able to get us in (with a group of 6!).

MDina is fascinating and beautiful whether you know what you are looking at or not, and the glass shop is a shoppers paradise. They have exquisite things, some of them one of a kind.

MARSAXLOKK is worth a look to see Maltese culture today, and for an amazingly affordable seafood luncheon with a view!

[RetiredFL]

When we were there in October we were told the city bus had been discontinued by the new bus authority. It is a long walk up to the town but once there the main sights are easily walkable.

[First Time 2008]

I would like to know if it is necessary to take shore excursion for this place or if we can only visiting by ourselves. Thanking you in advance for your reply

 

It really depends on what you want to do and how mobile you are.

 

Shopping and city sights? Just hike up the hill (go up early before the heat kicks in), it's 10 minute steep walk up hill. But there's good news: in the afternoon it's downhill back to the ship. In town there are shops, restaurants, and don't miss the Cathedral.

 

Prehistoric (neolithic) sites? Malta and Gozo have plenty. The only one you need to book well in advance is the Hypogeum (we did it). You can walk there in about an hour from the port, on mostly flat terrain, but it is not an interesting walk. You can also get there by bus from the Valetta bus terminal at the top of the hill. Look for the bus to Paola. But the prehistoric sites are scattered throughout the islands, so if you want to hit some of the more remote ones you will need a taxi or excursion. Bus schedules and routes here.

 

Beaches? Diving? You can get to the popular sites by bus, but the more uncrowded beaches requires a car.

 

M'Dina? Can probably do by bus. Beautiful place, as JimandStan's pictures show. Again, bus it at the top of the hill.

 

Feeling adventurous and have time? Try Gozo (the "other" island), or Comino (the "tiny" island, population 4).

[cbb]

JimandStan are right about Malta and WWII--if you have the chance visit the National War Museum there. We think it is a wonderful museum.

[Bruin Steve]

When we visited Malta, having never visited before, we chose to do a private tour...I organized a group of six on our Roll Call and we hired a guide...

...and are exceptionally glad we did.

 

We were taken all over the islands...To all the sites Jim and Stan posted photos of...and more...including an ancient Maltese version of Stonehenge...

 

Our guide was, simply put, one of the best we've had in all of our travels:

 

Christine Muscat

kristinmuscat@hotmail.com - Tel : 9946 4678

She was the President of the Maltese Tour Guide Association and a PhD in Archaeology, IIRC...Fluent in English, French, Italian and Maltese...

 

The tour wasn't all that expensive either...

I would STRONGLY urge you to do a tour here...

 

[CintiPam]

If you simply wish to experience the sights in Valletta (such as the incredible St. John's Co-Cathedral, the informative Archeological Museum and Upper Barracca Gardens) plus the 10-minutes only away from Valletta unique Hypogeum (do not miss this site; easy to pre-book on your own) and nearby Tarxien Temples, do it on your own, as we did in June 2009, but if you want an overview of the entire island, I suggest a private guide.

 

We return for another one-day stop in October and because Mr. Military History wants to visit the War Museum, which is in Valletta, we probably will spend the day on our own again.

[Anna201213]

Many thanks to all of you

Great information

[roothy123]

I went to Marsaxlokk on the public bus in the morning, but obviously you need to find out how to do that before just setting out - or take a cab. I took the cab back and got my husband to go into the city. I think we took a cab, since he's much less of a walker than I am, but I forget.

 

The city itself is certainly walkable/explorable by yourselves, I think. It's a bit touristy, but there are some sites you could pop in to see.

 

What I remember most about Valletta was the entry into the port - walls on 2 or 3 sides right around us. It was cloudy so it was not as fantastic as it might have been if it had been sunny, but it was really incredible. You need to get up early, though, as my past experience has been that cruise ships usually dock a bit before the stated docking time on your itinerary.

[williegirlcat]

There is really so much more to see on Malta than just going to Valleta. I arranged a tour with lovely and very knowledgeable woman. She took 6 of us to Mdina, Marsoxxlokk (sp), small villages, and the beach hotels that are all the rage for young European sun seekers. We got a feel for the whole island and certainly enjoyed the day.

 

Do try to do a tour.

[Buranogal]

Hi would you be so kind as to tell me if The Hypogeum is worth seeing after being at Pompeii the day b4 and will it leave enough time for MDina and Valletta town thanx Liz

[LaCroisiereS'amuse]

Here in the UK Malta is often known as "Malta GC"..... The GC standing for George Cross, the highest award for civilian bravery awarded by the UK. The award of the GC to the Maltese people, was, until 1999, the only occasion that the George Cross had been awarded collectively. Since it's award in 1942 the George Cross has been incorporat into the Maltese flag.

[legaleaglegreen]

Hypogeum is well worth seeing if you have any interest in archeology. Thousands of years older than Pompei. As noted above, you must have an advance reservation, which you can get on their website. Getting there and back by cab and doing the tour should take about 1.5 to 2 hours-- somewhat more if you take the bus or take time to see the above ground temples which are only a few blocks away. What else you will have time for depends on how long you are in port and how quickly you move. We enjoyed sightseeing in Valletta so much we didn't have time for Mdina. The Co-cathedral is a must and the archeology museum has the artifacts found at the hypogeum.

 

Enjoy your trip.

[Andromeda93]

I heartily second the comments about the value of private tours on Malta. We spent a full day with a licensed private guide and driver in Oct 2011 and didn't regret it for a minute. Others on our cruise also arranged private tours and everyone I chatted with agreed it was well worth the modest cost. Don't feel you must choose between the town of Valletta and the rest of the island. With a full day you can see a great deal of both.

 

Our tour was customized to what we wanted to see and included beautiful Mdina (where I wish we had had more time), Hagar Qim (the Stonehenge-like ancient city ruins), an overlook of the Blue Grotto, lunch and a stroll on our own in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, and then a walking tour of Valletta and a visit to St John's Co-Cathedral among other sights.

 

The guide was born and raised on Malta and her insights into their economy, culture and place in world history were exemplary. In Mdina she escorted us into a private home's courtyard so we could see some special della Robbia medallions (the owner was a friend of hers). In the Co-Cathedral she asked the guard (another friend) for permission to escort us into a special room where some of the chapel tapestries (which have been taken down for restoration in Belgium) were stored, and where we could see one on private display which had just been returned. Throughout the day as we drove from one location to the next she described much about the Maltese history, language, business climate and social life, so even the driving time was informative and unlike a bus tour, the discussion and Q&A are customized to your interests.

 

Like Bruin Steve I would STRONGLY encourage you to do a private tour here. Malta was an amazing place, full of history and beauty from across the ages. We were glad we made the most of our stop there.

 

PS Try to be out on deck when the ship sails into port, especially if the weather is good, even if it's early. Unlike some cruise ship berthing areas, it's interesting and very pretty, with great architecture.

[Buranogal]

Oh Andromeda93 So appreciate you taking the time to post all that great info on malta. Would you be able to tell me who you took the tour with? The Hypogeum is booked out for the date we have there :( But Im sure there is plenty to take our time up. Its a pity tho we dont dock till 1pm. Malta at night??? thanx again ;Liz

[Andromeda93]

Buranogal, I just emailed you some detailed info about the tour guide on Malta; please post here if you don't receive it.

 

BTW re the Hypogeum - you should ask the guide you book with about getting tickets, even if the official website indicates they're sold out. I heard from more than one person (including our guide) that we could have gotten in by virtue of being on a private tour, rather than buying tix directly from the attraction.

 

So envious you are headed to Malta soon, but hope you have a wonderful visit!

[Buranogal]

Dont know why quote included sorry maybe I wasnt logged in. Yes did receive info thankyou very much and have emailed Joan. More to peruse now on Malta site lol!! cheers from tassie

 

 

 

Buranogal, I just emailed you some detailed info about the tour guide on Malta; please post here if you don't receive it.

 

BTW re the Hypogeum - you should ask the guide you book with about getting tickets, even if the official website indicates they're sold out. I heard from more than one person (including our guide) that we could have gotten in by virtue of being on a private tour, rather than buying tix directly from the attraction.

 

So envious you are headed to Malta soon, but hope you have a wonderful visit!