Mellieħa is a town on Malta.

Understand

Mellieħa ([məˈliːhə], or il-Mellieħa) is a large village (pop. 7,221 in Dec 2008) in the northwestern part of Malta. It is a popular tourist destination during the summer months. 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 two centuries previously, 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

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

• Popeye Village, Anchor Bay. 09:30-17:30 (but changes according to the season). The set of the 1980 film, great for children. There is also a restaurant, two small swimming-pools and sunbathing areas. 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. The website has bus details. €9 adults, €6.20 children. 
• Parish Church of Mellieha, Triq il-Marfa. 

• Wartime Shelter, Parish Square. A tunnel complex dug out during WW2 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. 

• St Agatha's Tower (The Red Tower). summer open in morning and afternoon (closed for lunch), winter 10 - 4. 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. 

Do

• 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. 

Sleep

• Malta Caravans & Camping, 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 5km 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.