Best things to do in Mellieħa
History hits, adventure or beach? Mellieħa holidays have something for all types of travellers.
Viewpoints and panoramas
Red Tower (St Agatha's Tower): Built by the Knights of St John to watch for enemy fleets entering Mellieħa Bay, the views are just as good as you’d expect.
Mellieħa Parish Church: Visible from all over town, this Baroque church is a real showstopper. The view of the bay from the grounds is no slouch either.
Best districts
Mellieħa: Perched on a hilltop, the main town has views to die for, a majestic Baroque church and a laid-back vibe.
Manikata: On the outer limits of Mellieħa, this rural hamlet is known for its unique girna-inspired church, verdant farmland, nearby beaches and heritage sites.
Parks and gardens
Għadira Nature Reserve: Overlooking Għadira Bay, this little wetland reserve (one of Malta’s few areas of permanent inland water) is prime birding territory.
Foresta 2000 Nature Reserve: A bit further along and more expansive than the Għadira site, this restored woodland area supports a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects.
Museums
Mellieħa World War II Shelters: 0.5km long, these air-raid tunnels are a sobering experience. There are a couple of displays, gas masks, digging tools and so on, and some rooms have been restored to their wartime appearance, but you could probably do without the spooky mannequins.
Tunnara Museum (Westreme Battery): A Knights Hospitaller-era blockhouse turned tuna storehouse is an apt setting for Mellieħa’s quirky tuna fishing museum.
Historical monuments
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa: Adjacent to the parish church, nestled in a grotto, this small chapel is said to date back to the time of St Paul. Inside, you'll find a revered fresco of the Madonna, believed to have miraculous healing powers.
Fort Campbell (Il-Fortizza ta' Selmun): Constructed in the late 1930s to guard the approach to Mellieħa and St Paul’s bays, the fort has long since fallen into a state of disrepair but retains many of its original features.
Day trips in the area
Gozo: A 25-minute ferry ride from Ċirkewwa Harbour, Malta’s smaller and quieter sister island offers megalithic temples at Ġgantija, an extraordinary citadel in Victoria and a colossal domed church in Xewkija.
Comino and the Blue Lagoon: Another quick ferry ride will bring you to Comino, famous for its striking azure Blue Lagoon, a top spot for swimming, snorkelling and cave and reef diving.
Activities for families in Mellieħa
Quieter and more laid-back than other parts of the island and home to some of the best beaches, Mellieħa is an ideal destination for families.
Family-friendly beaches: A short downhill walk from the town, sheltered Mellieħa Bay offers soft sand, crystal-clear shallow waters and plenty of amenities, including an inflatable waterpark. For added peace of mind, lifeguards patrol the beach from June to September.
Playgrounds: Surrounded by greenery, the nautical-themed Ġnien il-Qigħan playground is great for small kids. If your kids are of mixed ages, Selmun Family Park is the better bet, with a colourful playground, skatepark, outdoor gym and sports track.
Aquariums and zoos: Malta National Aquarium in nearby St Paul’s Bay offers plenty of fishy fun, with a 12m underwater tunnel, talks and feedings. The adjacent playground is great, too.
Theme parks: Originally built as the film set for the 1980 movie Popeye starring Robin Williams, Popeye Village guarantees a whimsical day out on Mellieħa west coast with animation shows, splash pools and boat rides.
Waterparks: A 20-minute drive from Mellieħa, Splash and Fun Water Park offers thrilling slides, a lazy river and splash zones perfect for cooling off on a hot day.
Free things to do in Mellieħa
With plenty of historical sites to explore, free cultural events and stretches of sandy shore, a tight holiday budget doesn’t mean you can’t have a jam-packed itinerary.
Annual festivals and free events: Concerts, dance performances, art exhibitions, processions and fireworks – celebrate like a local at the outdoor Mellieħa Nights festival in July and the Mellieħa Village Festa in September.
Free heritage sites: Mellieħa is dotted with open-access heritage sites, ranging from troglodyte caves to abandoned World War II-era fortifications.
Free guided tours in Mellieħa: BirdLife Malta periodically offers nature walks. Check the events calendar on their website for upcoming walks.
Beaches: With Mellieħa and Imgiebah bays to the east and Golden Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa and Gnejna to the west, your only problem will be deciding which sandy stretch to hit next.
Wellness in Mellieħa
Spas and thermal baths: Mellieħa is home to several high-end hotels with luxurious spa facilities, such as the Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa Malta, which offers everything from saunas to hydro massages and steam baths.
Yoga and meditation centres: If you’re seeking mindfulness, Malta Yoga offers outdoor Vinyasa yoga and Pilates classes at the Tunnara Museum.
Nature and outdoor activities
Hiking in national parks: On Mellieħa’s western coast, Majjistral Nature and History Park, Malta’s first national park, is a humdinger. It offers kilometres of trails punctuated with cart ruts, corbelled stone huts and Classical-era tombs.
Snorkelling and scuba diving: Imgiebah Bay and Slugs Bay are top-notch for snorkelling. A short drive away, Ċirkewwa Reef, with the remains of a collapsed cavern, is the go-to site for diving.
SUP: Shallow Mellieħa Bay is ideal for beginner paddlers. Once you’ve got the basics down, you can paddle along the coast to Slugs or Imgiebah bays.
Surfing: With reliable wind conditions, Għajn Tuffieħa is a strong contender for the best surf spot on the island. Neighbouring Golden Bay is worth a look-in, too, but only in winter.
