Take your time to explore Mellieha - you’ll be glad to discover what authentic Malta is all about.
“But there’s nothing in Mellieha,” I hear all too often. It’s a pity so many people are unaware of how truly attractive it is. From the old village and its activity to the beautiful beaches and vast countryside, I actually feel that there's far more in Mellieha than any other locality in Malta! Here's why:
The location
Mellieha takes up the entire north section of the island. Just 30-40 minutes from Valletta and Sliema (non-peak hours) and a 30-minute ferry crossing from laid-back Gozo, Mellieha is the bridge between where everything is happening and where time stands still; and shares influences of both.
The village
Mellieha village’s most prominent feature is the entire architecture surrounding the Parish; see it at night when it's all lit up like a palace and check out the views during the day. Several restaurants, bars, cafes and all kinds of shops line the main street, a narrow slope leading down to the church and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha, with stairs leading to the upper and older part of the village.
The beaches
Several of Malta’s beaches are located in the locality of Mellieha. These include Riviera Bay, Golden Bay, Anchor Bay, Paradise Bay, Armier Bay, Little Armier, Slugs Bay, Mellieha Bay, Imgiebah Bay, St Paul’s Islands… there’s more than one for every day of the week! Some are well-served and some are completely secluded - the choice is yours.
The wide open spaces
Surrounding the village are a number of well-known natural getaways that are popular with the locals. Do you fancy a walk in the woodland at il-Mizieb or along the rugged coast at Marfa Ridge? How about a picnic or camping at L-Ahrax? Selmun, on the other hand, offers three picturesque walks to the beach and the rocky coast at St Paul’s Islands, while the old army barracks are great for sunrise with a breathtaking view.
The attractions
If you feel like being entertained, there are several attractions and places of interest in Mellieha. You’ll see Castillo de Selmun as you enter Selmun and St Agatha’s Tower, also known as The Red Tower, perched right above Mellieha Bay. Visit the Tunnara Museum and The War Shelter to revisit life in Mellieha in the past. Alternatively, head to the Popeye Village theme park, on the original movie set.
The parks
If that were not enough, explore some of the parks in Mellieha. There are several natural reserves in the area, including Majjistral Nature and History Park and Ghadira Natural Reserve, which you can visit. The Foresta 2000 Riserva & Koperattiva Rurali Manikata is also an interesting day trip through the fields of local farmers to learn about agriculture, local trees and flora, including a visit to archaeological remains in the area.
The caves
Mellieha is well-known for its history of cave-dwellers, and one such famous rock-cut cave-house in the cliff-face is the Ghar u Casa, although there are several more, including an entire complex of rock-cut caves in surrounding valleys. Two other interesting features are il-Hofra (the hole) and the Coral Lagoon, both of which are caves with collapsed roofs. The former is underground and only accessible from the roof (it is quite hard to find on the road to Cirkewwa) and the latter, in the north-west, leads into the sea.
The spas
There’s also plenty to encourage you to simply relax and enjoy, such as a remarkable number of spas available in the area. From the private spa at Schere Spa to the full spa at the Seabank Resort, you won’t be short of choices. Try also the Roy Tai massage parlour for exquisite Thai Massage.
The hotels
Why don’t you stay a while? Accommodation in Mellieha includes a variety of hotels, hostels, holiday apartments and Airbnb options and it is relatively inexpensive. Whether you want to rent a self-catering apartment or indulge in a fancy fully inclusive resort, Mellieha has it all.
Do take your time to explore Mellieha. You’ll be glad to discover what authentic Malta is all about.