One day in Malta - what to do?
 

We have one day in Malta (cruise stop). We are renting a car - is the blue grotto worth seeing? Any thing not to be missed? special food/shopping?

We've been to Malta on two cruises. For a first time visitor, I'd skip renting the car and spend the day in Valletta--there's plenty to see there.

Thanks abram. What do you recommend to do in Valletta? Do you recommend going to see the blue grotto?

I don't think it's worth spending the whole day on the blue grotto when there are great things to see in Valletta or Mdina.

In Valletta my recommendations are:
Co-Cathedral (be sure to see Caravaggio's Beheading of St John
Grand Master's Palace
Our Lady of Mt Carmel church
Opera House
Archeological Museum
St Paul's Shipwreck church
War Museum (look for info on the internet on Operation Pedestal about the convoy bringing food and fuel to Malta during WWII - very moving story)

If you don't want to do a lot of church in Valletta my next suggestion is the aviation museum and craft village. You can get a bus to the craft village (lots of glass ware and filigree jewelry) and then walk to the aviation museum or take a taxi to the museum, have the driver wait while you tour the museum (about 1/2 hour) and then take you to the craft village. I can't remember how far it is to walk between the two. And then take a bus back to Valletta. Valletta is the main bus depot on Malta.

Guide book recommendation:
Blue Guide
Lonely Planet
Rough Guide

Reading Recommendations:
The Kappillan of Malta by Nicholas Monsarrat
The Brass Dolphin by Joanna Trollope

I forgot to answer your question about food but that could be because the food on Malta is not worth mentioning! :) If you do have a meal then stick with fish or something Italian. With only a few hours to see things I would not spend the time on anything more than a snack. If the weather is nice there's a large outdoor cafe - Caffe Cordina - on Valletta's main street.

Also don't rent a car. If you don't want to stay in Valletta then take the buses; they're an experience in themselves.

Valletta does have some nice shops and the filigree jewelry is wonderful.

totally agree w/adrienne.

There is enough to do in Valletta to amuse you for one day.

The food - at best - is ersatz Italian so grab a slice of pizza, not worth spending $$ or time on dining.

I agree, spend the time in Valletta. You don't need a car. We loved Malta and Gozo and spent a lot of time in Valletta, which is full of atmosphere.

You might like the audio visual Malta Experience -
http://www.themaltaexperience.com/

It doesn't go for that long and give you a good overview of the country and all its hardships over the years.

There are also great views of the harbour from the Upper Baraka Gardens, in Valletta, at the bus station end.

Have a good wander around, you could visit the Manoel Theatre which is beautiful and gives guided tours, sit outside at one of the outdoor cafes on the main street and have lunch or coffee/wine and enjoy.

We didn't visit the blue grotto but saw the one on Capri (Italy) years ago. That was good but I would still recommend spending the time in Valletta instead. Valletta is small and quite walkable though there are carriages pulled by horses if your feet are tired and you just want a break.

Kay

The Manoel theatre is the opera house and it's pronounced Man Well. The original opera house was bombed and it's now a car park.

The Blue Grotto is pretty, and if you had a week in Malta, I'd definitely advise going. But with just one day, the Neolithic temples and Crusader-era buildings would be first on my list.

The Hypogeum, if you can get tickets, is absolutely incredible. For the rest, I agree with everyone else that a wander 'round Valletta is a great way to spend the day. There's a list here with some possibilities:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34569518

Thanks everyone - I really appreciate the feedback. We are going to cancel the car :)

I quite agree that Valletta is fine for a one day visit.

However I find the harsh words about food unjustified. If you settle for one of the tourist traps in e.g. Republic Street, you will most likely be disappointed. However there are OF COURSE some very good restaurants in Malta.

I have only had lunch in Valletta, but enjoyed Tony's Sicilia Bar. If you come from the city gate along Republic Street turn right at St. John Street, and you'll find it at the bottom of the stairs. Great view over the harbour too.

Or you can take the ferry across the harbour to Sliema and visit Ristorante Fumia (on the roof of Sliema Multi-Storey Car Park, High Street/Triq il Kbira). It is an excellent Italian restaurant with super seafood.

My Malta travelogues:
http://www.sitestory.dk/rejser/malta2005/indexe.htm
http://www.sitestory.dk/rejser/malta2006/malta.htm