LOCATION
The Islands
Situated right in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, the Maltese Islands are considered to be a gem – boasting a diverse culture, a wealth of history, warm people and stunning attractions.
With an area of just 316sq km, the Maltese Archipelago is one of the smallest in the world. Yet it is also one of the densest, with over 417,000* residents. Only the three largest islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino - are inhabited.
Malta is the largest of the three islands, and remains the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Gozo is the second largest island and more rural; it is known for its more abundant countryside and open spaces. Comino, while largely uninhabited, is a popular destination for day-trippers and hikers.
Visitors to the Islands are often attracted to the archetypal, Mediterranean climate, which is typified by hot summers and mild winters. But there is a lot more to keep them busy, including many beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history.
Things to do and see
Ghadira Bay: Easily accessible, this spot is a favourite with families, who tend to stay out for the day. There are sun beds and umbrellas for rent, but there is still space on this wide beach for anyone wishing to bring their own equipment. There are plenty of snack bars and small cafes and the beach offers different types of water fun, such as pedal boats rental, parasailing or large floating play areas.
Ghadira Natural Reserve: The nature reserve encloses two types of habitat that are very rare in Malta: wetland and salt marsh. The area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1978 after BirdLife Malta presented scientific data to the government showing the ornithological value of the wetland.
Armier Bay: The sandy beach at Armier stretches around the shore of an open bay and is just a short drive away from Ghadira bay. This sandy bay has a lovely view over the Islands of Comino and Gozo. Bars and small restaurants provide the necessary beach facilities.
Popeye’s Village: This popular attraction is the film set of the 1980 film, Popeye. Popeye’s Village has daily shows for the tourist as well as rides for the younger children, slides, trampolines and a Lido. http://www.popeyemalta.com/
St. Agatha’s Tower: This Tower, guarding the bays of Mellieha and Ghajn Tuffieha, is more known as the Red Tower. It was built to act as a signalling post in 1647 for communication with the island of Gozo, so it’s natural that it dominates the skyline of Malta's Marfa Ridge. It originally housed cannon, 30 men and enough food to withstand a siege for 40 days.
White Tower Bay: White Tower Bay is enclosed by a fortification wall that was built by the knights.
Mellieha
Mellieha, a picturesque town in the North of Malta. Mellieħa is a village located in the Northwest part of Malta., took its name from the ancient Punic and Roman salt-terms, as Mellieha means salt in Arabic.
Mellieha is one of Malta’s most attractive tourist and summer resorts with beautiful sandy beaches and blue sea. It boasts Malta’s largest sandy beach, Għadira, which is perfect for families with small children, as the water remains shallow for a considerable distance from the shore. Mellieħa also has a lot of splendid seaside hotels, good restaurants and many traditional souvenir shops.
During the summer months the population increases significantly due to many Maltese having summer residences in Mellieha, but the all year around inhabitants are around 7250 people in an area of 22.6 km2.
