Mellieħa City
City in Malta, known for its historical architecture
High above Mellieħa Bay, the parish church overlooks long sandy beaches, wartime tunnels and boat runs to Comino; hikers follow coastal tracks for sea views and sheltered coves.
Mellieħa at a Glance#
Costs: $80-150 per day - beachside eateries and guesthouses; seasonal price rises in summer.
Safety: Safe and family-friendly - very low violent crime; typical small-town petty theft risks.
Best Time: April-October - warm sea temperatures and reliable sun for beaches.
Why Visit Mellieħa?#
Mellieħa attracts travelers seeking Malta’s largest sandy bay, Ghadira, plus family-friendly attractions like Popeye Village and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa. Calm waters, panoramic coastal walks and small cafés serving pastizzi and local seafood make it appealing for slow-paced beach stays. Village festas and panoramic viewpoints add cultural flavor without the bustle of Malta’s main tourist centers.
Best Things to Do in Mellieħa#
Mellieħa Bucket List#
Mellieħa Bay (Għadira Bay) - Malta’s largest sandy beach with shallow waters ideal for families and swimming.
Popeye Village (Anchor Bay) - Colorful film-set village turned attraction with boat trips, eateries and coastal views.
Mellieħa Parish Church - Hilltop baroque church giving views over the village and nearby countryside.
Selmun Palace and coastline - Coastal cliffs and the 18th-century Selmun Palace offering walking routes and sea vistas.
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay - Steep steps descend to a quieter sandy bay favored by locals for sunsets.
Red Tower (St. Agatha’s Tower) - Bold 17th-century watchtower with panoramic views over Mellieħa and the northern coastline.
Manikata walkways and farm stalls - Rural tracks near Manikata passing small farms, roadside stalls and quiet sea viewpoints.
Comino and Blue Lagoon - Short boat trips to crystal-clear waters for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing.
Gozo (via Cirkewwa ferry) - Island hop to rural Gozo with Citadel views, Ġgantija temples and quieter beaches.
Best Time to Visit Mellieħa#
Go April-June or September for warm, sunny days and quieter beaches. Winters are mild and rainy; summers are peak season and very busy.
December - February
10 - 16 °C (50 - 61 °F)
Winter is mild and rainy; great for quiet coastal walks, lower rates and visiting historic sites without crowds, though swimming is chilly.
March - May
13 - 22 °C (55 - 72 °F)
Spring offers warm sunny days, blooming countryside and pleasant sea breezes - perfect for beach previews and exploring nature reserves before summer crowds.
June - August
24 - 33 °C (75 - 91 °F)
Summers are hot and busy; Mellieħa’s beaches are lively and sunbathers dominate, so reserve accommodations early and expect crowded beaches and ferries.
Mellieħa's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 9°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (527 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Mellieħa#
Mellieħa is a coastal town at the northern end of Malta’s main island and is reached most easily from Malta International Airport (MLA) by bus or taxi. Public buses are frequent but can get crowded in summer; taxis and car hires are faster for direct transfers.
Malta International Airport (MLA): Malta’s single international gateway is Malta International (MLA). From the airport to Mellieħa (northern Malta) you can take the direct X2/X3/X4/TM services or change in Valletta - journey time is roughly 25-35 minutes by car and 35-50 minutes by bus depending on route; taxis cost around €25-€35 to Mellieħa from the airport.
Alternative island connections: There are no other major airports on Malta; international access is via MLA.
Train: Malta has no railway network.
Bus: Tallinja buses connect Valletta, Sliema and central hubs with Mellieħa (routes such as 41, 222, etc. depending on timetable). Expect 35-60 minutes by bus from the airport/Valletta area; single-trip fares are typically €2.00 when paying on board or slightly less with a Tallinja card.
How to Get Around Mellieħa#
Public buses are the cheapest way to reach Mellieħa from the airport/Valletta; taxis and car hire work best if you need direct door-to-door transfers or are travelling with luggage.
- Tallinja buses (€2.00) - Tallinja runs direct services to Mellieħa from central hubs; journey time from Valletta or the airport is roughly 35-60 minutes depending on traffic and exact route. Single fares are typically around €2.00; consider a Tallinja card for multiple trips and lower per-ride costs.
- Taxi / private transfer (€25-€35) - Taxi rides from MLA or Valletta to Mellieħa take about 25-40 minutes and cost approximately €25-€35 from the airport - useful for groups or late arrivals when buses are less frequent.
- Car hire (€35-€80/day) - Car hire is useful for exploring northern beaches and peninsula roads at your own pace; Mellieħa has parking areas but central streets can be busy in summer. Fuel is moderately priced compared with many European countries.
- Sightseeing bus / seasonal shuttles (€2-€6) - In high season there are seasonal shuttles and tourist buses linking Mellieħa with key beach areas and cruise-ship stops; these are convenient for beach access but check timetables as services change seasonally.
- Walking - Mellieħa’s centre and its sandy bay are walkable; the town sits on a gentle hill so be prepared for short uphill walks between viewpoints and the bay.
Where to Stay in Mellieħa#
Mellieħa Bay - $40-100/night
Mellieħa has numerous budget B&Bs and self-catering apartments, many within walking distance of the sand beach and bus connections to Valletta.
Budget guesthouses in Mellieħa - Simple family-run B&Bs near the bay.
Apartments & rooms to rent - Self-catering options and studios.
Mellieħa Bay / Golden Bay access - $90-200/night
Mid-range hotels around Mellieħa Bay offer pools, family facilities, and easy beach access-suitable for families and relaxed beach stays.
Pergola Hotel & Spa - Modern rooms, pool and spa facilities.
Suncrest Hotel (nearby) - Good facilities and sea views.
Golden Bay / Mellieħa Bay - $150-350+/night
Luxury resorts and larger spa hotels line the bays near Mellieħa; expect full-service facilities, private beaches, and family-oriented amenities.
Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta (Golden Bay) - Resort with direct beach access.
Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa (Mellieħa) - Upscale amenities and sea views.
Where to Eat in Mellieħa#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Mellieħa’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Mellieħa#
Shopping in Mellieħa is focused on small tourist shops, beachwear stores and local grocery outlets along the main streets. For a wider retail selection, head to larger towns or shopping areas elsewhere on the island.
Nightlife in Mellieħa#
Nightlife in Mellieħa is low-key and family-oriented, with hotel bars and a few local pubs. For a livelier evening out, travel to St. Paul’s Bay or St. Julian’s.
