Things To Do in Bugibba

Bugibba’s lively after-dark scene is concentrated in the main square where there are plenty of bars and discos. Start off in one of the Irish pubs or karaoke joints, where you can sip on Malta's own lager, Cisk, or try out the local wines on offer from the Delicata vineyard. Afterwards, you can join the queue for Caesars Club or the Velvet Lounge. At weekends, their dancefloors pulse to the sounds of R&B, house and club classics ‘til late.

This rustic Maltese restaurant serves up big bowls of rabbit stew, plates of goat cheese and stuffed beef loin. There’s also a selection of fresh fish that you can pick out from the counter. Portions are huge and locals flock here from 6pm onwards, so it’s best to arrive early.

It’s called a festival, but this is really an international fireworks competition, where pyrotechnic crews from all around the world slug it out to put on the most spectacular display. Handily, that means a free show for spectactors. The fireworks keep going over three nights at Valletta’s Medieval harbour – the best viewing spots are the streets of Ta’ Liesse and Barriera.

In Bugibba, a popular place to eat is the busy main square, where the al fresco tables put you in pole position for people-watching. On the menus, it’s mostly pasta, pizza and pub grub but a couple of places serve up Maltese specialities. You could try the lampuki – a vegetable pie – or aljotta, that’s a fish soup with marjoram, tomatoes, garlic and rice.

Just next to the bus station, this motor museum displays vintage Minis and Ford Capris alongside Wurlitzer jukeboxes and Sixties clothing. There are also sleek Jaguars and Ferraris to have your picture taken with. The friendly husband and wife owners are only too happy to share their impressive auto knowledge. Or you can learn a few factoids by watching the short car documentaries in the basement mini-cinema.

Tourist Street – Triq it-Turisti in Maltese – is just a few blocks from the main square. The place is chock-a-block with English and Irish pubs offering up theme nights, live music and karaoke sing-offs. The drinks here – especially the local Cisk lager and ciders – are cheap as chips.

If you want to see a couple of the neighbouring islands, a day trip will set you back less than 20 euros. First up, you can pitch up at the rocky isle where Saint Paul was said to have been shipwrecked – there’s a huge statue of him as you sail into the bay. Then there’s Camino Island – the Blue Lagoon here is one of Malta’s best snorkelling spots.

Bugibba’s rocky coastline means you can swap your bucket and spade for a mask and snorkel. If you root around by the shore, you should be able to spot spiky sea urchin and giant clams. Further afield, divers can explore shipwrecks and a 13-ton Jesus statue blessed by Pope John Paul II. For lessons and kit, you’ve got a couple of dive schools near the main square.

There’s always a young, lively crowd at this Brit-style pub. Inside, the big-screen TVs play to the sports fans while the nightly karaoke gives everyone a chance to have their X-Factor moment. If you like things a bit quieter, grab a cold beer and relax at one of the al fresco tables – they come with a top view of the bay.

Bugibba’s shops line up on the waterfront. You should get a good retail fix here, with clothes, shoes, bags and candles all up for grabs. For a memento that’s got Malta’s name on it, look for the locally-made glass, lace and silver jewellery. Places keep late hours here, so you’ve got plenty of after-sun time to do your buying.

Diners make a beeline for Il Bajja, the pedestrianised main square, and the tangle of streets fanning out from it. This is where you’ll find many of Bugibba’s best eateries. There aren't too many places offering traditional Maltese cooking, but some of the Mediterranean-styled restaurants include a sprinkling of local dishes on their menus. If you really want to show off your local knowledge, ask the waiter for widow’s soup – that’s rabbit stew in Malta.

It’s a real family affair at Malet. Hubby works front-of-house, while wife, son and daughter cook up a storm in the kitchen. Free soup and bread gets the meal off to a good start, then you’ve got some top-notch fish dishes to try. Dishes include scorpion fish, octopus in garlic, and swordfish with capers and tomatoes.

Souvenir hunters are well served by bustling Bugibba. The streets running from the main square and along the promenade have a succession of curiosity shops offering Maltese lace, handmade knitwear and fridge magnets. And you don't necessarily need a shop to sell your wares here – there are plenty of street vendors touting fresh fruit and homemade wine from their trucks. The prickly pear liquor is especially good.

George's Seafront Beach Lido is Bugibba’s biggest and best public lido. Split over 2 levels, the top floor is the main sunbathing deck where you can hire sunloungers for a couple of euros. The ground floor lines up an outdoor pool and ladders leading down to the sea. Bring your snorkeling gear and be prepared to see seahorses and parrot fish – they’re all fond of Bugibba’s warm Mediterranean waters.

The owner, Sandro, is a master mixologist, and his cool cocktails are more popular than the Guinness on tap. In keeping with its Irish theme, you’ll find enthusiastic live entertainment 5 evenings a week. Friday night is band night and the place is packed to the rafters.