Mellieħa
Mellieħa is a town of 11,000 people (2019) in the northwestern part of Malta. It is a popular tourist destination during the summer months.
Understand
Mellieħa ([məˈliːhə], or il-Mellieħa) as a village developed under British colonization after the British encouraged people to settle in the area by giving leases to the population. For the previous two centuries, the area was abandoned due to fear from attacks of corsairs and Saracens. Before that, only a few villagers lived in the area.
Get in
By car
Mellieħa is easily accessible by car, and is signposted from most of Malta's roads. If signposts are not found, follow signs for Circewwa.
By bus
Buses are available to Mellieħa on the ic-Circewwa route from Valletta, Sliema and Birkirkara.
Get around
Map of Mellieħa
Given the small size of Mellieħa it is generally easy to walk anywhere. However it is built up a somewhat steep hill making the walk from the hilltop main street and church, to the lower beach area something of a hot and tiring affair, if you have a bus pass it is recommended to hop on one when going up or down.
See
- 1 Parish Church of Mellieha, Triq il-Marfa.
- 2 Sanctuary of our Lady of Mellieha.
- 3 Wartime Shelter, Parish Square. A tunnel complex dug out during World War II as a bomb shelter. Bits of information are scattered about but the main point of interest is the size of the tunnel dug out with basic tools. Talk to the ticket seller for a more detailed account of the history. Located just off Parish square (follow the alley with painted murals). ~€2 adults.
Mellieha Bay
- 4 Għadira Nature Reserve. Sep-May: M Th 14:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-16:00. Around 140 species of migrating birds are seen annually in this reserve. Entrance by donations.
- 5 St Agatha's Tower (Red Tower). summer open in morning and afternoon (closed for lunch), winter 10:00-16:00. Located just to the north of the village itself this tower clearly stands out from a long distance. The tower has been lovingly restored with information on its history and the restoration provided inside by friendly staff. Climb to the roof for spectacular views back over Mellieha and out over to Comino and Gozo. Easily accessible by car or a short uphill walk from the nearest bus stop. ~€2 adults.
- 6 Tunnara Museum (Mellieħa Right Battery). Closed to the public due to ongoing restoration works. A museum about tuna fishing. Museum building used to be a former artillery battery built by the Order of Saint John in 1715–1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands.
Further away
- 7 Popeye Village, Anchor Bay (Anchor Bay is on the opposite side of the island to Mellieha. If driving, take the Mellieha bypass and look out for the signs at the bottom of the hill. Otherwise take bus #101). Nov- Mar: 09:30-16:30; Apr-Jun Sep-Oct: 09:30-17:30. The set of the 1980 film, great for children. There is also a restaurant, two small swimming-pools and sunbathing areas. Winter price: €11 adults, €9 children. Summer: €15 adults.
- 8 Mistra Battery, Mistra Bay. Closed to the public due to ongoing restoration works. An artillery battery built by the Order of Saint John in the 18th century as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands.
- 9 Selmun Palace. A villa on the Selmun Peninsula, built in the 18th century by the Monte della Redenzione degli Schiavi.
- 10 Majjistral Nature & History Park. Free access, besides offers guided walks €5 per person.
- 11 Għajn Żnuber Tower. A rural structure which was probably built in the 19th century as a farmstead or hunting lodge, and it later served as an anti-smuggling post and a coastal lookout position. The building was restored in 2012, and it is now a visitor centre of the Majjistral Nature and History Park.
- 11 Għajn Żnuber Tower. A rural structure which was probably built in the 19th century as a farmstead or hunting lodge, and it later served as an anti-smuggling post and a coastal lookout position. The building was restored in 2012, and it is now a visitor centre of the Majjistral Nature and History Park.
Do
- 1 The beaches. They are excellent! The bay is generally calm, and the depth slopes very gradually along the main beach making it very safe for swimming. Look out for the jellyfish, though!
Buy
There are many stores in Mellieħa where souvenirs can be obtained.
Eat
- Giuseppi's. The restaurant is run by owner and chef patron Michael Diacono, who for the past seventeen years has adapted to traditional-style recipes with unusual but highly successful twists.Not cheap but absolutely one of the finest dining experiences in Malta
- Riviera Blue. A small, family-run restaurant on the main road just up from the bay towards the centre. Does seafood and Maltese specialities such as fried rabbit. Clientele is a mixture of locals and travellers. Cheaper than the touristy restaurants right next to the beach (around €30 for two people with drinks).
- Take-away kiosk. At the top of the hill, in the centre, on the main road, on a corner, is a take-away kiosk, seemingly-open 24 hours (!), which does slices of Italian pizza, British pies, and Maltese pastizzi for ridiculously-low prices (the pastizzi cost 25 cents).
- Luna Holiday Complex, Triq il-Marfa. A restaurant and bar, built into a hotel complex on the seafront. Very cheap.
Drink
Sleep
- Malta Campsite, Dahlet ix Xmajjar, Mellieha, MLH 7500, ☏ +356-21521105, +356-99496707. Check-out: 11:00. Basic campsite, with small shop, small pool and small astroturf football field. Showers cost extra and last three minutes. Right next to the sea, with a beach 10 minutes' walk away. Free parking. The campsite is to the south of Mellieha, about 5 km out of town. Keep driving south along the main road, follow this road up a hill (near the Red Tower), then turn right and follow the signs. Then the actual signposted road to the campsite is littered with potholes, save your suspension by turning left when you see a sign "Mamla-Tat-Torri L-Abjad" and just follow the road, round the small bay and up a small hill near the White Tower. Cost - for example, one adult & one child & one tent (with car parked for free outside) €15 per night.
- Luna Holiday Complex, Triq il-Marfa, Mellieha, MLH 9063. Check-out: 11:00. From £27.