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NORTHERN MALTA
Northern Malta, which until the end of the nineteenth century was
a sparsely populated region has been subject to considerable development
in the last forty years. In the past, attacks from coastal invaders
forced the communities living by the sea to move further inland
with the only buildings present being the coastal watchtowers that
had been constructed by the Knights as a network guarding the coast.
Coastal development only started to take place after the arrival
of the British forces at the beginning of the 19th century. The
economic benefits of tourism have been the driving force behind
this, as is evident in the northern towns such as Bugibba, Qawra,
Mellieha and St Paul's. Not surprisingly, the economy of the area
is largely dependent on the tourism industry, with its beaches being
the main drawcard. Relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun,
while sipping drinks in the numerous bars sprouting up by the dozen
yearly is the favorite pastime here but, more exercise-orientated
travellers have a multitude of hiking trails, as well as watersports
to choose from.
MELLIEHA
This is a small town in the extreme north of the island and
has been a popular holiday spot for both Maltese and Europeans
for quite some time. Mellieha has an excellent setting, with
the high rising church on top of the hill overlooking its
shimmering blue bay and popular beach. There are a number
of hotels, restaurants and tourist-oriented services and till
now has been careful to preserve its peaceful atmosphere typical
of the town of old. as it is away from the more activity-orientated
centres of the island. Boat trips out to Gozo and Comino operate
from Cirkewwa, on the outskirts of Mellieha, including the
Gozo channel ferry service |
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Church of our Lady of Victories
This is the parish church of Mellieha and is set on the highest
point of the town, dominating the skyline from the beach and
all around the vicinity. Behind the altar, there is a painting
by Cali here, one of Malta's most renowned artists. The sanctuary
set in a small grotto under the church contains a painting
of the Virgin Mary that locals claim to have been painted
by the apostle St Luke, a doctor by profession, who is said
to have accompanied St Paul when he was shipwrecked on Malta
in the year 60 A.D. |
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Golden Sands Bay (Ghadira Bay)
Just 1,5km (1 mile) northwest of Mellieha lies Ghadira Bay,
the largest sandy beach on the island. This beautiful beach,
with its stretch of white sands is very popular during the
summer months. The bay is part of a valley with the town of
Mellieha located high up on the hills. There are a number
of hotels overlooking the bay, and a number of decent restaurants
within walking distance towards the road that inclines toward
the town. This beach is also a popular spot for barbecues
during the warm summer evenings. |
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The Ghadira Nature Reserve
These wetlands near the town were founded in 1978 to preserve
some of the relentlessly hunted local, and migratory, bird
species. Here you'll be able to see avocets, cetti warblers
and black-winged stilts. Some of the migratory birds that
are spotted in the Ghadira are: ruffs, plovers, little stints,
greenshanks, redshanks and varieties of sandpiper. Wildlife
in the reserve includes wild rabbits, weasels and chameleons.
Marfa Ridge
Considering Malta isn't exactly known for its greenery there
is a surprising amount of it around this part of the islands.
There are some great sandy beaches here as well as stunning
sea views. It's a superb area for walking, with the cool sea
breezes and sheltering greenery. On the crest of the ridge
is the Red Tower, built in 1649 as security against a fresh
onslaught from the Turks and pirate raids. Following the Ridge
Road that runs in a northeasterly direction will lead you
to the lonely Madonna Statue with its small chapel and the
huge cliffs. This is a favorite picnic spot for ramblers.
Homing-pigeon breeders release their teams from here as well.
You can stroll along the headland from here until the cliffs
give way to lonely rocky shores. |
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Skorba Temples
This is the sole such settlement that has been fully investigated
in Malta. These wind-eroded ruins were once home to a neolithic
village of huts. There are also remains of two temples built
at a later period. A variety of pottery was discovered at
the site and a selection of pots, vases and fragments of figurines
can be seen in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.
The temples are near Mgarr, a small village near Mosta. Not
far from the Skorba temples are the Ta' Hagrat temples. These
are very similar to the Skorba temples but not as old. |
BUGIBBA
This coastal town has become one of the most popular resorts
on the island. Developed in recent years with a strong emphasis
on tourism, Bugibba is one of the most inexpensive places
to stay on the island. There's a lively atmosphere to the
place. The promenade is always teeming with people and there
are plenty of restaurants, bars and discos around. Activities,
ranging from watersports to underwater safaris, are guaranteed
to keep even the most discerning of visitors enthralled. There
are boat trips out to the islands of Gozo and Comino from
here.
ST PAUL'S BAY
Located just to the north of Bugibba and within walking distance,
St Paul's Bay is associated with anecdotes of St Paul's journeys
in Malta. As written in the Acts of the Apostles, St Paul
and Saint Luke were prisoners on their way to Rome to be tried
for political rebellion. The ship foundered on the rocky coast
of Malta, somewhere to the north of St Paul's Bay. They found
succour in the form of the locals who the apostled wrote down
that were renowned for their hospitality and sheltered for
the winter in a cave near Rabat. St Paul's fervent proselytising
converted Publius, the Roman governor, who subsequently became
the first Bishop of Malta. Ghan Rasul (Apostles Fountain)
is believed to be the spot where the Saint struck a rock which
subsequently sprouted water. The parish Church of St Paul
is reputed to be the site of the place where he shook off
a poisonous viper into a fire without being killed by the
effect of the venom, to the awe of the locals. The uninhabited
islet of Selmunett, just over 200m (656 feet) from the bay,
is graced by a massive statue of St Paul. A two-storey statue
of Christ was sunk just off the island during Pope John Paul
II's visit to Malta in 1990, and is a popular diving site.
MISTRA BAY
This bay is home to one of the island's more upmarket catering
complexes, offering a variety of activities, among them swimming,
tennis and squash. Mistra Bay is a fine, sheltered inlet.
The village overlooks St Paul's Bay and the verdant Mistra
Valley.
QAWRA
Along with Bugibba, Qawra now takes up almost the whole peninsula
on the east side of St Paul's Bay. The two towns have grown
into each other but, on the whole, Qawra has a more sedate
reputation than Bugibba. The accommodation is also a bit more
upmarket. The increase in the tourist trade since the 1970's
has seen major construction of apartments and hotels. There's
no shortage of bars, cafés and restaurants. Watersports
buffs will be delighted with the facilities in Qawra. |
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GOLDEN BAY
This is a fantastic part of the island, blessed with wonderful
cliff scenery and sweeping views of sparkling Mediterranean
sea. It was at Ghajn Tuffieha, its Maltese namesake,
in 1565, just before the Great Siege, that 181 Turkish ships
waited for a change of wind before landing at Marsaxlokk in
the south east of the island. This area has three of the best
sunspots on the entire island. It is carved out of the cliffs
and can be accessed via a steep road. Be on your guard if
you're going in the water though, the currents here are among
the strongest on the island. The view from the cliffs is superb
and a lookout tower, representing the era when the Knights
ruled here, looks out onto the sea. Try to take in a sunset
if you can as they are particularly lovely at Golden Bay.
Various watersports are on offer, among them Parasailing,
an exhilarating experience that involves getting harnessed
to a parasail and soaring behind a motor boat that pulls you
along. |
GNEJNA BAY
Gnejna Bay is a pretty little bay located beside Golden Bay.
The drive down the Mgarr road to reach the bay will take you
past terraced fields. The beach is not usually very crowded
and usually has a few colourful local fishing boats pulled
up on the beach. |
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POPEYE VILLAGE
This small cartoon-like village at Anchor Bay was created especially
for the filming of the 1980 movie, Popeye. Construction took over
7 months using a 165 man construction crew. Some 8 tonnes of nails
were used as well as thousands of litres of paint.
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Wood was imported from Canada and logs were
trailered in from as far away as Austria to complete this
authentic wooden village. There is a souvenir and snack shop
here as well as nearby beach facilities.
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