A complete travel guide featuring 16 awesome and fun things to do in Mellieha Bay, Malta.
The stunning bay of Mellieha is one of the best holiday destinations in the country, with amazing resorts, beachside hotels, and a relaxing seaside ambiance.
From watching an amazing sunset by the Red Tower to exploring the nearby caves and secluded beaches, there are so many fun things to do in Mellieha, Malta.
Let’s dive into the list!
Best Malta Tours & Activities
- Blue Lagoon Catamaran Tour – the best-rated Blue Lagoon and Comino Caves tour from Malta
- Gozo Day Trip Jeep Tour from Malta – explore the island of Gozo on a small-group Jeep adventure tour from Malta
- The Malta Experience – a full-day private tour of the best highlights including Marsaxlokk village, the Blue Grotto, and Mdina.
16 Best Things to do in Mellieħa Malta
While not as busy and crowded as St Julians, Melliha Bay is still a major tourist destination in Malta. Here, you’ll get everything from a vibrant nightlife scene to relaxing beaches. This bay is a great place to unwind, but also to let loose and enjoy your time on one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful islands.
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1. Chill on Mellieha Beach
Of course, one of the biggest draws to Mellieha is its wide, sandy sheltered bay with shallow waters, making it great for swimming and water sports.
Mellieha Bay Beach makes up the entire Għadira Bay, which is lined with sea sunbeds and parasols, costing 5 euros each. While it can be a popular beach during the summer months, it is Malta’s longest sandy beach, so there’s always enough space to find a spot by yourself if you need to.
Additionally, during the peak season, there’s even a water theme park here, which is a fun activity in Mellieha that the kids won’t want to miss!
2. Day Trip to Gozo Island
Staying in Mellieha Bay is a great option as you’ll be much closer to Malta’s sister island of Gozo and of course, the natural wonder of Comino and its amazing caves and lagoons.
Travelers can book this epic private tour with Outdoor Explorers on Get Your Guide. This is my favorite tour company in Malta and the guys I explored Comino with. This is a private boat tour and includes:
- Swimming and snorkeling at the Blue Lagoon
- Crystal Lagoon
- Comino Caves
- Southern Gozo highlights
Visiting the sister islands is an absolute must when traveling in Malta! If you’d prefer to visit independently, you can also make your way to the Gozo ferry port in Ċirkewwa and take the Gozo Channel Ferry to Mgarr on Gozo.
Just keep in mind that many of the best locations to visit are only accessible by boat ride!
3. Go Scuba Diving With Orange Shark Divers
My favorite dive shop in Malta is located in the heart of Mellieha– Orange Shark Divers. These guys are easily the friendliest and most professional shop in the archipelago and run excellent dive trips on Comino and Gozo.
My favorite dive was the P31 Wreck (Patrol Boat 31). This is a very accessible wreck dive located just a short boat ride near Comino. Other dive sites worth checking out include:
- Um El Faroud
- Blue Hole
- Inland Sea
- Santa Marija Caves
4. Blue Lagoon Boat Trip on Comino
The Blue Lagoon is easily the most popular major tourist attraction in Malta. Located on the nearby island of Comino, this attraction features an other-wordly sheltered lagoon that is great for swimming, snorkeling, and cave exploring.
Getting to the Blue Lagoon is very easy from Mellieha since you’ll be much closer to the channel than tourists staying in Valletta or St Julians.
I recommend this awesome Blue Lagoon tour, which also visits Crystal Lagoon and some highlights on Gozo on an epic day trip from Mellieha Bay.
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5. Go Check out Popeye Village
The Popeye Village is a film set turned theme park. Located in the nearby Anchor Bay, the Popeye Village is a very popular attraction close to Mellieha Bay and one that’s great for families.
This was the real set used as Sweethaven Village in the 1980 film starring Robin Williams. And, today visitors can explore this open-air museum and check out some of the attractions like Popeye’s Cabin or the many food outlets.
Additionally, you’ll find one of my favorite viewpoints here in Anchor Bay overlooking Popeye Village. Definitely head over here for sunset if you’re looking for things to do in Mellieha Bay during the late evening.
Don’t Miss: Colorful Fishing Village of Marsaxlokk
6. Beach Hopping Near Mellieha
One of the main reasons tourists visit Malta is to experience their amazing soft sand beaches and crystal-clear water coves.
Mellieha is located in an excellent region of Malta for beach-hopping, with several popular beaches and secluded strands just a short distance away.
Some of my favorite sandy beaches near Mellieha Bay include:
- Armier Bay Beach – shallow bay that is great for snorkeling
- Little Armier Bay – scenic cove just north of Mellieha Bay
- Paradise Bay Beach – beautiful beach tucked away behind the ferry terminal
- Imġiebaħ Beach – secluded beach away from other tourists
7. Stay in an All-Inclusive Beach Resort
Of course, Mellieha is an excellent Maltese destination to stay if you’re looking for luxury and exclusivity!
One of the best all-inclusive resorts in Mellieha Bay is db Seabank Resort + Spa. This luxury resort features several pools, a swim-up bar, a full spa, and even a bowling alley!
It’s also conveniently located right on the water’s edge near Mellieha Beach. So, you can walk out from your buffet breakfast and take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea.
8. Kayak to the Coral Lagoon
Looking for an epic hidden gem near Mellieha Bay? Don’t miss the Coral Lagoon!
This is a collapsed sea cave forming a natural, sheltered lagoon filled with turquoise water and coral reef.
This is one of the most beautiful natural sites in Malta, and adventure seekers definitely won’t want to miss it! To get here, you can walk from Coral Beach on the northeast corner of Malta. However, there is no access to the water from the top. That’s why the best option is to rent a kayak at nearby Little Armier Bay and enter the lagoon from the sea.
9. Check out the It-Torri L-Aħmar (Red Tower or St Agatha’s Tower)
From the sandy shores of the beautiful Mellieha Bay (Għadira), it’s hard to miss the striking red castle-like tower standing on the nearby hillside.
Known as Red Tower, St. Agatha’s Tower, or the It-Torri L-Aħmar in Maltese, this epic structure is strategically positioned on one of the most scenic viewpoints on the island.
From here, you’ll see the entire northern peninsula, with views of Gozo and Comino islands to the north. I recommend heading here for sunset for amazing views!
Don’t Miss: Malta’s Blue Grotto
10. Hike to Rdum il-Qammieh Viewpoint
On the other side of the narrow section from Mellieha Bay lies a remote and scenic natural sea cliff called Rdum il-Qammieh.
It’s possible to hike here from the bay, passing a radar station on the way. This is the perfect place to sit and enjoy the natural beauty away from the hustle and bustle of a busy resort town. You’ll get superb views of Malta’s rugged east coast from a high vantage point atop the 100-meter cliffs.
11. Explore the WW2 Gun Posts & Air Raid Shelters
History buffs will fall in love with Malta! Not only does this archipelago contain some of the richest ancient historical treasures like the world-famous Ġgantija Temples, but it also preserves several icons from World War II.
To the northeast of Mellieha Bay, head towards the Rdum il-Qammieh cliffs, and you’ll pass several gun posts which are marked on Google Maps.
Additionally, in the center of Mellieha, visitors can tour the famous Mellieha Air Raid Shelter. Residents of Mellieha dug these underground shelters by hand during WW2 to protect themselves against enemy bombs. Today, travelers in Mellieha can take a tour of them, running 500 meters long at a depth of over 12 meters!
12. Sunset at the Chapel of Immaculate Conception
Another amazing sunset point near Mellieha Bay is the Chapel of Immaculate Conception. We visited this spot on our very first night in Malta and were treated with a magical sunset.
The Chapel of Immaculate Conception is a small chapel situated on the headland north of Għadira Bay. From here you’ll get an ideal view of the entire bay where you can admire the natural beauty from a secluded rolling cliff.
Featured in: Best Sunset Viewpoints in Malta, Comino & Gozo
13. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha
At the very top of Mellieha Village, travelers will spot the Sanctuary of Our Lady Mellieha. This is a Roman Catholic Church built on top of a natural cave. Some believe that this sanctuary dates back to the medieval period but was consecrated as a church a little later on.
This is the centerpiece of Mellieha, and you’ll likely see it sitting on top of a hill from almost anywhere in the bay!
14. Walk Up to Mellieha Peak
Okay, Malta isn’t exactly known for huge dominating mountain peaks. However, this island does feature some incredible coastal cliffs.
The highest point in Mellieha is known as Mellieha Peak. If you’re feeling adventurous, walk up the terraced lots to the small coastal ridge. From here, you’ll get excellent views of the coast ranging all the way down to Popeye Village.
In fact, it’s possible to walk down to the village from here as well!
15. Golden Bay Beach
Golden Bay is one of the most famous beaches in Malta. Known for its soft, red sands and a long, sheltered cove filled with clear waters and dominated by rugged limestone cliffs, this one certainly is worth a visit.
While it can be quite busy, Golden Bay offers the perfect beach option on the rare occasion that the winds are blowing in from the east into Mellieha Beach.
16. Hike at Għadira Nature Reserve (Foresta 2000)
The last activity on this list of things to do in Mellieha Bay is to take a short stroll through the Għadira Nature Reserve, also called Foresta 2000. We stumbled upon this nature park accidentally while trying to find a car park on a very busy summer’s day.
But, we were glad we did! We took a long walk through the park and discovered several relaxing nature trails connecting to places like the Red Tower and the Rdum il-Qammieh viewpoint.
Best Things to do in Mellieha at Night
This list has mostly featured fun activities to do in Mellieha during the daytime. If you’re looking for some night activities, check out this quick list:
- Take a stroll through the vibrant town of Mellieha
- Drink cocktails by the sea
- Walk to Adenau Bridge and catch the sunset there
- Explore the many bars and restaurants in Mellieha Bay
Where to Stay in Mellieha
There are several great hotels and resorts on the hillside, in town, and of course, on the beach in Għadira Bay. Below are the top-rated hotels and resorts in Mellieha for various budgets.
- dB Seabank Resort & Spa – A huge, all-inclusive hotel with several pools, many restaurants, and an amazing spa.
- Lure Hotel – Located in the heart of Mellieha, this is one of the premier luxury hotels in Malta. Discover its amazing spa and world-class onsite restaurant.
- Hotel VIU57 – Just a short 10-minute walk from the beach, this mid-range hotel features amazing views of the bay and is situated in a vibrant area of Mellieha with plenty of bars and restaurants around.
Mellieha Travel FAQs
The main tourism high season in Malta is during the summer months, from June to September. During this time of the year, the weather in Mellieha Bay is usually very warm and the seas are nearly always calm.
Make sure you add the Coral Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and the famous Blue Lagoon to your list of things to do in Mellieha!
The bay is located in the North of Malta, approximately, 23 kilometers north of Valletta.
You can’t miss a day trip to Gozo and Comino Island! Mellieha is the ideal place to explore these natural treasures as it is close to the Gozo Channel.
I certainly recommend staying in Mellieha if you are looking to escape the popular party destinations like St Julians and the hotel strips north of Valletta. While it is a popular destination, the bay is close to many must-see attractions and provides an excellent place to base yourself from.
More Malta Travel Guides & Adventure Inspiration
And, that’s a wrap for this quick destination guide covering all the exciting activities and best things to do in Mellieha, Malta!
Before you head off, make sure to check out some of my other useful travel guides below.
