Experience the best of Mellieħa

Mellieħa stands on a ridge at the north-western end of Malta, the last sizeable village before the ferry crossing to Gozo. Close to its parish church, a sanctuary to the Virgin Mary that began as a natural cave has drawn pilgrims for centuries, and the Red Tower, a seventeenth-century watchtower, stands on a nearby hill. At the foot of the ridge, Għadira Bay curves around a wide, shallow beach, one of the longest on the island.

Popeye Village at Anchor Bay was built as the film set for the 1980 film Popeye and stays as a seaside attraction. Golden Bay and Paradise Bay are sandy coves nearby, the Għadira Nature Reserve, a salt marsh, shelters migrating birds, and the countryside of the Marfa ridge has footpaths and sea cliffs. Comino and its Blue Lagoon lie a short boat ride away.

Pastizzi, flaky pastries filled with ricotta or peas, ftira, a sourdough flatbread, and rabbit stewed in wine are the local staples. Honey, capers and ġbejniet, small Maltese cheeses, are local produce, and summers are hot, dry and bright.