Best Things to See and Do in Mellieha

Malta boasts 300 days of sunshine per year, making it the ultimate holiday destination. Head to Mellieha – the country’s northernmost town – to explore Għadira Bay, St Agatha’s Tower and the quirky Popeye film set.
Mellieha sits neatly atop the ridge between St Paul’s Bay and Mellieha Bay. It’s much smaller and quieter than Valletta with a laid-back feel, surrounded by lush green mountains and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. The longest beach in Malta, all white sands and clear water, is just a 15-minute stroll downhill. Discover Mellieha’s must-visit attractions including centuries-old chapels and excellent restaurants.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.Visit Mellieha Beach
Natural Feature

Also known as Għadira Bay, at 800m (2,624ft) this is the longest beach in Malta. The waters are clear, warm and shallow, edged with white sand, making this spot safe for kids and great for swimming. The summer facilities are excellent with sunbeds, umbrellas and kiosks selling drinks and snacks. Expect to see water skiers, kite-surfers and banana boats zipping across the sea. You can also catch boat trips to Comino from here.
Explore the film set of Popeye
Amusement Park

Popeye Village started out as a functioning film backdrop, constructed in Anchor Bay for the 1980 musical production Popeye (starring the late Robin Williams). Its crooked buildings still stand today as a major tourist attraction, filled with colourful activities and themed food outlets. Enjoy boat trips, swimming pools, water trampolines and an inflatable obstacle course in the water. It’s open all year round.
Take a look inside the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa
Church

Once the city’s parish church, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha is a window into the town’s storied past. It’s the oldest shrine to the Virgin Mary in Malta and stands on the site of a medieval cave. Take a look at the Byzantine-style fresco behind the altarpiece – it’s thought to date back to the 12th century. Roman Catholics flock from all over the world to worship here, as it is listed as one of 20 National European Shrines.
Eat at one80 Kitchen & Lounge
Restaurant, Maltese
The clue is in the name: this gem offers incredible 180-degree views down to Mellieha Bay. If you stop for lunch on the way to the beach, you may see your afternoon meld into a sunset dinner. Order mezze-style sharing plates for the table. The Crudo of Fish plate includes aljotta (seafood soup), Gillardeau oysters and sea urchins. There’s a cocktail lounge for when plans go completely awry. Keep your eyes peeled for local art by George Fenech on the walls.
Swim at Arnier Bay
Natural Feature

The best holiday sea swims involve water so clear you can see your toes beneath the surface. Armier Bay offers calm, clear and shallow water and is much quieter than Mellieha Bay, which has much to do with its rural location. It’s a spot beloved by locals because you can’t see any big resorts from here, only a tiny fishing village. On the sandy beach, rent sunbeds and umbrellas before ordering drinks, ice creams and hot snacks from one of the various rustic kiosks.
Head underground into a World War II air-raid shelter
Historical Landmark
This air-raid shelter can be found just a few steps from Mellieha’s main square. It was dug by hand during World War II and reaches a depth of 12m (39ft). The complex is made up of long corridors, stretching over 500m (1,640ft), anti-blast chambers and private rooms big enough to house entire families. There’s also a maternity section and a secure room for national treasures.
Go bird watching at the Ghadira Nature Reserve
Natural Feature
Why not swap beaches for a spot of bird watching? You can do just that at Għadira Nature Reserve. It’s a protected area made up of salt marshes and a large sweeping lake, run by enthusiastic volunteers. You will have access to some of Malta’s most interesting wildlife from rare birds to hard-to-spot chameleons. The reserve is part of Malta’s Birdlife Project and it’s open every day apart from Wednesdays between September and May.
Admire the view from St Agatha’s Tower
Historical Landmark

It’s worth swinging by St Agatha’s Tower for the view alone. Perched atop St Marfa’s Ridge in Mellieha, it was built in 1649 as a watchtower to monitor the expanse looking across to Gozo island. Nicknamed the Red Tower due to its painted facade, houses a small chapel within its petite size. Learn more about the history of the tower by picking up a multi-language leaflet inside.
Ride the ferry to Gozo
Train Station

Mountain biking; kayaking; cliff-top hiking for the active bunch – Gozo packs in a wide variety of fun experiences for its small stature. History fans will be drawn to the megalithic temples at Ggantija and the recently restored Il-Kastell fortress. Finish the day with a laid-back seafood meal before making the 25-minute trip back to the Maltese mainland.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.