Their public transportation system is simple – just one national company charging a flat fare of 2.5 euros per journey regardless of how far you want to travel. In the winter months, fares drop to 2 euros per journey. The bus company offers a range of travel cards for a set price. For 21 euros, you can have unlimited travel for 7 days and for 19 euros, you can buy a 12 trip card that has no time limits making the odd adhoc journey economical too.
The UK might have benefitted from a similar arrangement rather than leaving it all to a load of different private operators all thinking of profit rather than an effective national transportation policy.
This simple public transport system is perfect for island exploration. Many beautiful towns or villages are only a short 30-40 minute bus ride from Valletta such as the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk.
A sheltered inner harbour is filled with colourful traditional Maltese luzzi boats.
Beautiful flower filled doorways or decorated balconies make me long for my garden. I expect my veggies are frazzling away un-watered all the time I’m swanning around the Med.
There’s a large seafront promenade which starts off empty but gradually fills with restaurant tables and umbrellas as the day goes on.
Seafood is the most popular offering on most menus; everything from mussels, octopus, calamari to tuna or swordfish steaks. And all reasonably priced too. I had a tuna steak as big as half a dinner plate and it only cost 18 euros. (Café de Paris) Bloody tasty!
The pace of life in Marsaxlokk is far more tranquil than in Valletta. For starters, there appear to be a lot less grockles milling about so you can actually relax and not have to spend the day dodging elbows, backpacks or phombies.
As well as looking out for the tourists, it seems locals are also taking care of waifs and strays. Just look at this marvellous little kitty holiday complex. It’s located at the far end of the harbour almost opposite the tourist information office.
A row of small wooden huts so moggies can take a relaxing siesta away from the hot sun. I’m sure Bertie would have loved curling up in one of these moggy mansions.
If I’d done my pre-holiday homework, I might have been tempted to base myself somewhere quieter like Marsaxlokk then travel into Valletta which can be visited almost in a day. Something worth considering if you are thinking of taking a trip to Malta particularly if you hate crowds.
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| 19 euro travel card |
With this system in place, car ownership suddenly becomes less important which is just as well judging by the narrow streets in most towns/villages. There’s limited parking in most places and I can’t see how driving those fashionable Chelsea tractors that everyone likes to own these days would really work on roads barely wide enough for the bin lorry.
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| Who'd have a car in Malta? |
This simple public transport system is perfect for island exploration. Many beautiful towns or villages are only a short 30-40 minute bus ride from Valletta such as the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk.
 |
| Beautiful Marsaxlokk |
A sheltered inner harbour is filled with colourful traditional Maltese luzzi boats.
 |
| Luzzi boats |
Beautiful flower filled doorways or decorated balconies make me long for my garden. I expect my veggies are frazzling away un-watered all the time I’m swanning around the Med.
 |
| Love those planters |
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| What a lovely doorway |
There’s a large seafront promenade which starts off empty but gradually fills with restaurant tables and umbrellas as the day goes on.
 |
| Early morning on the prom |
Seafood is the most popular offering on most menus; everything from mussels, octopus, calamari to tuna or swordfish steaks. And all reasonably priced too. I had a tuna steak as big as half a dinner plate and it only cost 18 euros. (Café de Paris) Bloody tasty!
The pace of life in Marsaxlokk is far more tranquil than in Valletta. For starters, there appear to be a lot less grockles milling about so you can actually relax and not have to spend the day dodging elbows, backpacks or phombies.
 |
| Tourist free facade |
As well as looking out for the tourists, it seems locals are also taking care of waifs and strays. Just look at this marvellous little kitty holiday complex. It’s located at the far end of the harbour almost opposite the tourist information office.
 |
| Kitty holiday homes |
A row of small wooden huts so moggies can take a relaxing siesta away from the hot sun. I’m sure Bertie would have loved curling up in one of these moggy mansions.
 |
| Hello kitty |
If I’d done my pre-holiday homework, I might have been tempted to base myself somewhere quieter like Marsaxlokk then travel into Valletta which can be visited almost in a day. Something worth considering if you are thinking of taking a trip to Malta particularly if you hate crowds.
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| Marsaxlokk harbour |
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