Mellieha Bay Holidays

Mellieha Bay is a low-key place perched on the north coast of Malta. The sleepy old town sits up on the hill and comes with a smattering of churches, restaurants and shops – not to mention a great coastal view. And at the bottom of the road is the piece de resistance – a lovely sandy beach, one of just a few on the island.

Mellieha Bay has really made itself popular with its beach. Set in a sheltered bay, it has 800 metres of golden sand – which is a bit of a record round these parts. Sunloungers are at the ready, and bars are on standby for snacks and drinks. The clear water – a real hit with snorkellers – stays comfortably shallow for a fair distance, and there’s a great choice of watersports.

The town is a 20-minute walk up the hill from the beach – or a 10-minute bus ride. A network of narrow lanes weaves its way to some great cafés, restaurants and shops. And overlooking everything is the beautiful baroque parish church – there’s an English language service here every Sunday morning.

A 30-minute journey takes you to Mdina, Malta’s former capital. Here, the oldest surviving buildings date back to the 11th century – St Paul’s Cathedral is one worth a visit. Another 15 minutes and you’re at Mgarr, home to the one of the oldest religious sites on earth, the Ta'Hagrat Temples, which date back to 3600 BC. Or there’s Malta’s capital, Valletta – about 25 kilometres away – renowned for its palaces, forts, gardens and well-preserved Baroque architecture.