Malta, a magical low-cost place

Beaches , megalithic monuments , almost desert areas, top quality Mediterranean food and, above all, a more than affordable price. All this and much more offers us Malta , a small archipelago off the African coast that constitutes a peculiar mix between Italian , Anglo-Saxon (since they were a British colony) and Tunisian cultures .

Located in the south of Italy and north of Libya , its good climate and the hospitality of its people make it an exceptional destination for those who want to discover a new culture without investing too much time (or money).

la-valetta
Three main islands, Malta, Comino and Gozo , are the main attractions. Of all of them, Malta is the most important. It is where all the official bodies are located. Beware of the area of ​​Malta that you choose. Most travel agencies offer accommodation in the Sliema or St. Paul area , unattractive but with luxurious hotels and largely dedicated to tourism. It is much more interesting to find accommodation in La Valletta and, from there, move to where necessary.

bus Centering our point of operations in La Valletta is very important, since it is the starting point of almost all bus lines and, since many of us do not like to drive in the opposite direction and, in addition, the roads are very bad, better to be seduced by the charm of the old American buses of the 60s and 70s, pay a few cents, and move around the interior and the coasts in them.

To this must be added that, if we stay in the "recommended" areas, we will have little opportunity to know the beauty of the Maltese streets and its people. Malta is a long-established city, the cradle of the Order of the Knights of Malta and of great fortifications from the British era.

cumin If we are looking for beach and water activities, it is very important to take into account that Malta continues to be a very Catholic country, where not only divorce is prohibited, but putting yourself in ‘topless’ is a crime. So better to use appropriate swimsuits if we do not want to be upset. Smoking in bars is also prohibited, however many hoteliers skip the rule because the losses are greater than what it costs them to bribe the police.

temple-of-mdjnara
For those who like art, the temples of Ggantija (Gozo) or Tarxien (Malta) are two incomparable options. For street travelers, interested in Maltese life and customs, it is better to stroll through La Valletta , or Rabat (also called Mdina and the former capital of the archipelago). It is not surprising that in Mdina the traveler feels a certain similarity with cities like Salamanca … the architect of most of the monuments belonged to the same school and, despite not having the hardness of the Villamayor stone, the blocks used for the construction resemble charros in size, appearance, and color.

blue-grotto
Although Malta does not stand out for its beaches, except for a few hidden ones and the tumultuous Meliehah , the coastline is spectacular. Don’t forget to visit Blue Grotto , or any of the many fishing villages, especially Marsaxlokk or the 3 cities ( Vittoriosa, Senglea and Conspicua ). Each and every one of them has its charm.

marsaxlokk
Not to mention the seascapes, especially on Gozo, the island where Calypso "kidnapped" Ulysses . No wonder I didn’t want to go back. The Blue Lagoon, with crystalline turquoise waters and the landscape in general is not wasted.

As for eating, in Malta there is no problem. Its beers and native wines, fresh fish, cheeses and vegetables in general are highly recommended . Most of the restaurants offer good food at affordable prices and you can buy fruit as a snack at any of the street stalls.

mdina2 An unforgettable experience if you forget the tourist hotels, scheduled trips and crowded beaches. The best, go your own way, buy a Malta guide before going and choose the proposal that best suits your concerns. Because in Malta there is fun for all tastes, even at night. It is not difficult to find the gear, you just have to follow the sound of the music.