Valletta Tourist Traps

This was the official residence of the Grand Master of the Knights of S. John. It was built between 1571 and 1574. Later it was the British Grovernor's residence and amministrative office. Today it houses the Parliament and also serves as the President of Malta' office.

Here you can see only five rooms and there is no guided tour offered. If you want to visit the armoury you have to buy another ticket..

Fun Alternatives: You could visit Casa Rocca Piccola (see tip).

Most white taxis do not have meters - they will often quote you a rate to where you wnat to go and the rate is not that realiable. Similarly hotels have their own tame cab firms which are also not the cheapest. From personal experience I found that Wembley cabs were not a rip off - the MTL 8 fare suggested by other companies to Valletta from my hotel was often only MTL 5 with a Wembley Cab.

Unique Suggestions: Make sure you agree a fee in advance - otherwise you might pay substantially over the odds for your taxi ride.

Fun Alternatives: If time is no object and you are travelling during the day, then the bus system is the best and cheapest way to get around (MTL 0.20 i.e. EUR 0.50) for a single zone trip. Granted you will usually have to go via Valletta but the cost savings are considerable.

I really didn't like the Sunday market at Valletta. Usually I love markets but something about this one just did not appeal. Maybe it was the sheer quantity of caged wild birds - something I really find objectionable - or maybe just that everything else on sale seemed to be utter junk. We even saw sunscreen that was in bottles that looked dirty, broken and used, and looked about 10 years old - surely it must have been past it's best?

Fun Alternatives: I liked the market in the city centre a whole lot better. I'm not sure if its on every day, but it was a Monday when we visited that market.

If you must have a ride on a "Karrozzin" then do negotiate a price before you attempt to get aboard. There is no set charge, and most people pay a hefty price.

They are lovely to photograph, and if there a few of you and your feet are tired walking the hilly streets, then perhaps it is worth your while.

My friend and I decided to kill time at the Crafts and Traditions Museum in Valletta. What a waste of my money. I've noticed that a lot of the museums claim to be Multi-Media exhibits, but this one was nothing more than a walkman and a tape cassette that guides you through a two roomed exhibit. There are plenty of quality museums in Malta, but this unfortunately is not one of them.

Unique Suggestions: Have an open mind and a good imagination-especially when you get to the end and it drops you into the restaurant, where in my case, people we eating and staring at me like a freak with a headset on.

Fun Alternatives: Go to the Upper Barracca Gardens instead. At least it has nice views and it is free!

Beware of white taxi cabs. Some are in the habit of over charging. Negotiate the fee beforehand as one might be literally taken for A RIDE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE METERS. There is no problem however when one takes a taxi from the Airport to wherever as one buysand pays for the ticket at the Airport Office.