8 Things to do in Marsaxlokk Malta (Colorful Fishing Village)

A complete guide to the colorful Maltese fishing village of Marsaxlokk, Malta.

Marsaxlokk Bay is one of Malta’s most famous villages. Known for its colorful traditional fishing boats and lively Sunday market, this is certainly one of the best places to visit in the Maltese Islands if you’re looking for rich culture and amazing photography opportunities.

In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about visiting Marsaxlokk, Malta, and give you tips on 8 awesome things to do here!

About Marsaxlokk - Malta's Colorful Fishing Village

Marsaxlokk Village is located in the south eastern region of Malta, not far from the international airport.

The Port of Marsaxlokk is well-protected by the opposing headland known as Delimara Point and therefore serves as the ideal location for a fishing fleet. In fact, this traditional fishing village has been used as a port by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and the Order of Saint John.

Today, the colorful village accommodates a traditional Maltese fishing fleet. These boats are called luzzu, with the tradition of these boats dating back to the early 20th century. They are the icon of Malta, and if you want to see these beautifully designed boats, you'll want to visit Marsaxlokk!

There is good tourism infrastructure in this village, with many visitors coming from all over the Maltese Islands every weekend to see the Marsaxlokk open market and explore the nearby beaches and scenic coves.

Did you know? While it is a mouthful, the name Marsaxlokk is a Maltese word that means "harbor" (marsa) with "southeasterly wind" (xlokk). The correct way to pronounce it is "mar-sa-shlock".

Option 2: Self Drive

Independent travelers will love Malta! Renting a car is very easy and this enables access to all of the best attractions and of course, the lesser-known hidden gems!

Expect a 25-minute drive from Valletta, 30 minutes from Sliema or Paceville, and about 45 minutes to an hour from Mellieha Bay.

The final leg of the drive follows the Triq Marsaxlokk road, descending steadily from a hilly landscape into the protected seaside village. There is a huge parking lot once you arrive next to the town's football field. It's marked on Google Maps as "Public Parking Space".

Option 3: Public Transport

The island of Malta is well-connected by a network of cheap and effective bus routes.

To get to Marsaxlokk, you'll want to jump on bus #81, stopping directly at Marsaxlokk village. This route departs from Valletta and takes approximately 40 minutes. Tourists staying in the village can also take bus #119 straight from the airport.

If you're staying in other areas of the island, the best choice is to take a bus or taxi to Valletta first, as there are no other connections to Marsaxlokk from places like St Pauls Bay or Mellieha.

Travel tip: There is also a very affordable Malta hop-on-hop-off bus which includes a stop at Mdina, Three Cities, the Blue Grotto Caves, and Marsaxlokk village.

8 Best Things to do in Marsaxlokk Malta

1. The Marsaxlokk Market

The Marsaxlokk Open Market is a fresh fish market open every single Sunday in Marsaxlokk Harbour. This is quite a popular tourist attraction, with travelers from all over the archipelago visiting on the weekends to purchase fresh fish and seafood, or just to experience the unique seaside culture.

The market is located on the waterfront in the bay, with several undercover market stalls set up for the occasion.

Additionally, tourists will also be able to purchase fresh produce and souvenirs here, since the market usually contains more than just fish these days. You'll also find plenty of great restaurants serving a variety of food around the bay as well, making for a great day out!

2. Photograph the Colorful Maltese Fishing Boats (luzzu)

The main reason I wanted to visit the Marsaxlokk village was for an opportunity to photograph the traditional Maltese fishing boats - the colorful luzzu's.

As soon as you arrive in this picturesque town, you'll see them either docked to the port or moored all over the bay. All of these boats are part of active fishing fleets, with local fishermen still using them today to haul in their catch.

I recommend walking down to the market street to get some close-up views of these Maltese cultural icons.

3. Explore the Marsaxlokk Beaches

While the main attractions in Marsaxlokk are the markets and colorful fishing boats, there are many more worthwhile places to visit nearby. In fact, the village has two of its own sandy beaches, namely Ballut ta' Marsaxlokk, and Marsaxlokk Strand.

These are two great places to have a swim. However, the natural ambiance is disrupted slightly by the unsightly Malta Freeport in the distance. Alternatively, there are some better beaches to explore nearby (read on below).

4. The Marsaxlokk Parish Church

Of course, being a Maltese village, you're going to find a famous church in Marsaxlokk. This one is called the Parish Church of Our Lady of Pompei, or Santwarju tal-Madonna ta’ Pompei in Maltese.

This is a 19th-century Roman Catholic Parish church located in the main square of Marsaxlokk village. Admittedly, there are many more beautiful churches in other villages, but this one is worth taking a look inside nonetheless!

5. Malta Coastal Mountain Bike Adventure from Marsaxlokk

Perhaps the funnest and most adventurous thing to do in Marsaxlokk is to go on a mountain bike trip. When I visited the village, I met up with the guys from MC Adventure to go on a mountain bike trip up the nearby Munxar Cliffs from Marsaxlokk.

This route follows the coast north from the fishing village to the neighboring village of Marsaskala and all the way up to the remote Tal-Inwadar National Park. Along the way, you'll pass some beautiful cliffs and stunning beaches before looping back to the Marsaxlokk parking lot.

6. Visit Nearby St Peters Pool

One of my favorite places to take a dip in Malta is the beautiful St Peter's Pool, located on Delimara Point near Marsaxlokk. This is an awesome secluded cove with a deep pool, great for swimming and cliff jumping!

It's possible to walk here from Marsaxlokk harbour, following a scenic coastal route for approximately 45 minutes. If you've got your own car, then you can park your car at the dedicated parking area.

7. Eat at the Marsaxlokk Restaurants

This quaint Maltese fishing village is the perfect place to grab lunch or dinner by the water. There are several great restaurants here, mostly serving delicious seafood meals. Some of the best restaurants and cafes in Maraxlokk are:

• Roots Restaurant - traditional restaurant with a lively atmosphere in Marsaxlokk harbour
• T'Annamari Restaurant - serving traditional Maltese food
• Shichiria - Japanese restaurant serving the freshest seafood in Malta
• La Nostra Padrona - delicious Maltese food with outdoor seating.

8. Visit Il-Kalanka Beach & Lighthouse

Those looking for interesting things to do in Marsaxlokk should certainly make their way over to Il-Kalanka point. There are some beautiful beaches here, including the famous Il-Kalanka bay, a rocky cove with a sandy shore, and crystal-clear water for swimming.

At the very end of Delimara Point is the Il-Kalanka Lighthouse, a spectacular place to sit and enjoy the sunset!

Also, if you head across from Il-Kalanka Beach, you'll discover Fort Delimara, a polygonal fort built in 1876 by the British.

Where to Stay in Malta

Marsaxlokk Travel FAQs

After Marsaxlokk Village - More Things to do in Malta

I hope that you've enjoyed this travel guide featuring 8 fun things to do in Marsaxlokk, Malta.

After exploring this amazing colorful fisherman village, make sure to check out some of the other must-see destinations in Malta. Below I've linked some useful guides to get started.

• 16 Awesome Things to do in Mellieha, Malta
• 16 Things to do on Comino Island Malta - Top Sites & Attractions
• 21 Best Sunset Viewpoint Locations in Malta, Gozo, & Comino
• 26 Awesome Things to do in Valletta, Malta
• 35 Best Beaches in Malta, Gozo & Comino - Ultimate Guide With Map
• 40 Amazing Things to do on Gozo Island, Malta
• 70 Awesome Things to do in Malta - 2023 Travel Guide
• Popeye Village Viewpoint in Anchor Bay, Malta - Complete Guide
• Ultimate Guide to Golden Bay Malta + 5 Useful Tips