Things To Do in Mellieha Bay

The nightlife in Mellieha Bay is relaxed – think a delicious meal washed down with wine then perhaps a saunter up the hill to share a nightcap with the locals. For a bit more action, Bugibba is a 20-minute taxi ride away. It’s a hive of clubs, karaoke bars and discos – most of them centred around Bugibba Square.

St Agatha’s Tower overlooks Mellieha Bay and is worth a closer look. Built for the Knights of St John in 1647 to defend the Straits of Comino, it’s commonly known as the Red Tower – though it’s more of a faded pink these days. Climb to the top of its turreted roof and you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views over Northern Malta, Comino and Gozo.

As you’d expect, seafood’s the star turn at the waterfront restaurants. You could try fresh lampuki fish, which is caught using rafts and nets – a method said to date back to Roman times. There’s also the very tasty aliotta – a garlic, tomato and fish soup. Heading uptown you’ll find some good terraced restaurants where the specialities include wild boar and feta cheese risotto.

Although this annual festival has religious origins, the focus is on fun. The action centres around a statue of Our Lady – carved from tree bark by a famous Maltese sculptor – which is carried in procession through the town. There are marching bands and food – the imqaret pastries are especially tasty – and it all winds up with spectacular fireworks.

Mellieha Bay makes the most of its golden sands, with plenty of sunloungers at the ready. And the sea doesn’t get left out, as you’ll see from the pedalo riders, water-skiers and windsurfers. The clear waters make snorkelling very popular, too, and there’s a scuba dive school if you want to go deeper.

Billy’s Music Club is a large bar on top of the hill. It attracts tourists and locals alike and boasts big screen TVs, pool tables, darts and air hockey. The bar also hosts regular karaoke and quiz nights, and during the day you can pop in for homemade pies and toasties.

Nightlife here is pretty relaxed, really. You can share a bottle of wine at one of the seafront bars, or wander up the hill for a nightcap with the locals. If you’re looking for a bit more action, though, a 20-minute drive takes you to Buggiba. It’s a lively place here, and you’ll find all the buzzy bars around the main square and on the promenade.

Down by the bay, the seafront restaurants do a great line in fresh lampuki fish and bowls of aljotta – a garlic, tomato and fish soup. Or you can head up to the town for dinner at one of the terraced eating places. You might want to try the local specialities, like wild boar or risotto with feta cheese.

At this cosy restaurant you’ll be welcomed in with home-baked bread and Maltese dips. Then, if you’re going for the fish, you can choose what you fancy from a platter – the red snapper is a bit of a favourite here. The fillet and rib-eye steaks also come well recommended – and the white chocolate crème brulée is hard to resist.

At this unassuming little restaurant, diners get a warm welcome from owners Sahra and Ray. The fresh seafood is laid out so you can make your own choice, and while the calamari and the fish soup are excellent, the steaks are equally mouthwatering. Those in the know make return visits, so be sure to book, especially if you want an outside table.

With an enviable stretch of sand, it’s easy to spend the day just lounging on a sunlounger. But you’ve also got waterskiing, sailing and windsurfing if you fancy it. Plus there’s a diving school up the road in Paradise Bay if you need it. Really, though, you might just want to lie back with a kinnie – a local soft drink made with oranges and herbs.

Quality souvenirs are easy to find here – there’s silver and gold filigree jewellery and hand-woven Maltese lace. For the practical bits, like suntan lotion and sunglasses, the little stores along the seafront are well stocked up. If you’re looking for high-end designer boutiques, you’ll want to make the short trip to Valletta.

For souvenirs to take back home, browse the little shops up in town for silver and gold filigree jewellery and hand-woven Maltese lace. Meanwhile, if you run out of suntan lotion or need a new beach toy, the shops on the seafront can top you up. If you want designer boutiques, mind, you’ll need to go to Valletta.

St Agatha’s Tower – or the Red Tower as it’s mostly known – is a 5-minute walk from the resort. This 17th-century lookout is actually more of a salmon-pink these days, but it’s still one of the island’s highest points. If you climb to the roof and stand on one of the 4 turrets, you’ll get a 360-degree view of Northern Malta, Gozo and the uninhabited island of Comino.