Mellieha holidays

How to reach Mellieħa

• Flight time: If you're flying from Dublin to Malta International Airport, you can expect the journey to take roughly 3 hours and 10 minutes.

• Transfer time: Once you land at Malta International Airport, getting a taxi to Mellieħa will take around 40 to 50 minutes. If you opt for the bus, just know it'll take a bit longer – probably around twice as long.

• Price: A prepaid taxi from the airport will set you back about €33 before any admin fees (you’ll pay at the taxi booths in arrivals and give your receipt to the driver). If you prefer to go by bus, tickets for the X1 service will cost you between €2.50 and €3.

Weather and best time to visit Mellieħa

When it comes to planning your holiday in Mellieħa, the best time really depends on what you want to do.

• March to May is lovely with temperatures ranging from 17 to 24°C and minimal rain. The countryside blooms beautifully after winter, making it perfect for outdoor adventures.

• June to August brings high temperatures, often hitting the late 20s and low 30s. With sea temperatures averaging around 26–28°C, Mellieħa Bay – Malta’s biggest sandy beach – is the place to be, alive with water sports.

• September to November starts to cool down a bit, with temps dropping from 28 to 21°C. While there's a touch more rain, it’s usually short-lived. You’ll find the beaches are quieter, and the water is still warm enough for a lovely swim.

• December to February is quite mild, with temperatures around 16°C. You might have to contend with some rain, but it's a fantastic time for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying the more laid-back side of island life.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Both English and Maltese are the official languages, so you’ll find it easy to get by.

• Currency: Malta uses the euro, being part of the eurozone.

• Getting around: Mellieħa is well-serviced by buses connecting you to other parts of Malta. Tickets for daytime services cost €2.50, while night services are €3 and are valid for two hours from when you first use them. If you plan to hop on buses frequently, consider getting a 7-Day Explore card for unlimited travel over a week, which costs €25.

• Electricity and plug types: In Malta, you'll find a supply voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. The plugs are type G, which are the same three-pin plugs you’d find in the UK.

• Time zone: Malta is in the Central European Time zone, sitting one hour ahead of GMT in standard time and two hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time.

• Required travel documentation: If you're from Ireland, just make sure your passport is valid (issued within the last 10 years and still good for at least 3 months after your planned departure). You won’t need a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Best things to do in Mellieha

History hits, adventure or beach? Mellieha 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 Mellieha Bay, the views are just as good as you'd expect.

• Mellieha 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

• Mellieha: 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 Mellieha, this rural hamlet is known for its unique girna-inspired church, verdant farmland, nearby beaches and heritage sites.

Parks and gardens

• Ghadira Nature Reserve: Overlooking Ghadira 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 Ghadira site, this restored woodland area supports a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects.

Museums

• Mellieha 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 Mellieha's quirky tuna fishing museum.

Historical monuments

• Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha: 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 Mellieha 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 ƒäirkewwa Harbour, Malta's smaller and quieter sister island offers megalithic temples at ƒ†gantija, 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 Mellieha

Quieter and more laid-back than other parts of the island and home to some of the best beaches, Mellieha is an ideal destination for families.

• Family-friendly beaches: A short downhill walk from the town, sheltered Mellieha 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 ƒ†nien il-Qighan 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 Mellieha west coast with animation shows, splash pools and boat rides.

• Waterparks: A 20-minute drive from Mellieha, 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 Mellieha

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 Mellieha Nights festival in July and the Mellieha Village Festa in September.

• Free heritage sites: Mellieha is dotted with open-access heritage sites, ranging from troglodyte caves to abandoned World War II-era fortifications.

• Free guided tours in Mellieha: BirdLife Malta periodically offers nature walks. Check the events calendar on their website for upcoming walks.

• Beaches: With Mellieha and Imgiebah bays to the east and Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha and Gnejna to the west, your only problem will be deciding which sandy stretch to hit next.

Wellness in Mellieha

• Spas and thermal baths: Mellieha 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 Mellieha'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, ƒäirkewwa Reef, with the remains of a collapsed cavern, is the go-to site for diving.

• SUP: Shallow Mellieha 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, Ghajn Tuffieha 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.

Beaches to enjoy on Mellieha holidays

Mellieha holidays are a dream for beach lovers, offering access to some of Malta's most stunning stretches of coastline. Whether you're looking for family-friendly sands or tranquil coves, the beaches in and around Mellieha cater to every kind of traveller.

• Mellieha Bay (Ghadira Bay): The largest sandy beach in Malta, Mellieha Bay is perfect for families with its shallow waters and wide stretch of golden sand. It's ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking.

• Paradise Bay: Just a short drive from Mellieha, this small yet picturesque beach is surrounded by cliffs and boasts clear turquoise waters. Its serene atmosphere makes it perfect for couples or anyone seeking a peaceful escape.

• Golden Bay: One of Malta's most famous beaches, Golden Bay is a must-visit for its soft sands and crystal-clear waters. It's great for sunbathing, enjoying water sports, or watching the sunset from the beachside cafes.

• Armier Bay: Located on the northern tip of Malta, Armier Bay offers a more secluded beach experience. With two smaller bays, Armier and Little Armier, it's a great spot for snorkelling and enjoying a quieter day by the sea.

• Imgiebah Bay (Selmun Bay): A hidden gem near Mellieha, this remote beach is perfect for adventurers looking to escape the crowds. Its unspoiled beauty and calm waters create a tranquil setting for relaxation.

Mellieha's beaches are among the best in Malta, combining natural beauty with a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're lounging on the sands of Mellieha Bay or exploring the hidden coves nearby, your holiday promises unforgettable moments by the sea.

Local dishes in Mellieha

One of the great delights of holidays to Mellieha is tucking into the region's Arab- and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Some typical dishes

• Stuffat tal-qarnit: Tenderised octopus stewed with garlic, onions, red wine, olives, capers and tomatoes.

• Brunƒ°iel mimli: Aubergine shells stuffed with minced pork or beef (sometimes both), cheese and aubergine pulp, then baked until soft and golden.

Meat dishes

• Bragioli: This is the go-to dish for meat lovers. Thin slices of beef stuffed with minced meat, breadcrumbs and herbs simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce.

• Stuffat tal-fenek: An absolute classic, rabbit marinated in wine, slow-cooked with vegetables and seasoned with aromatic herbs.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Torta tal-lampuki: Named for its star ingredient, this fish pie combines lampuki (in season from August to December) with olives, spinach and Maltese staples like onions, tomatoes and capers.

• Pixxispad Mixwi: This dish consists of marinated and grilled swordfish fillets garnished with sage and sweet green peppers.

Street food

• Pastizz: Stuffed with ricotta or peas and typically shaped into a diamond, these flaky pastries are a Maltese food icon.

• Qassatat: These shortcrust pastry baskets come with various fillings, but the most popular are ricotta and fava beans.

Sweets and desserts

• Imqaret: Filled with dates, citrus and spices, deep-fried and dusted with icing sugar, these traditional pastries go great with a scoop of ice cream.

• Kannoli: The Sicilian connection – sweetened ricotta in a deep-fried bow-shaped shell, sometimes laced with chocolate, nuts or candied peel.

Local drinks

• Cisk Lager: Crisp with a light maltiness and a rich hop aroma, Malta's favourite beer is perfect for summer drinking.

• Kinnie: Brewed from bitter oranges and wormwood extracts, this carbonated soft drink has a unique love-it-or-hate-it flavour.