This is perhaps the most pleasant resort area for Malta. The only drawback of it (or, conversely, dignity) is its location on the edge of the island, somewhat "in the outskirts" of the main resorts, Sliema - St. Julian's and Bugibba - Aura - St. Paul Bay. But from here you can reach the neighboring islands of the archipelago - Gozo and Comino.

Mellieha is in the north-west of Malta. Its name is associated with the Maltese word "melħ", "salt", which was evaporated here. The population of the city is more than 7,500 people.

Mellich is good first of all with its coasts and uninhabited surroundings. Therefore, if you like nature and walking, you will like it here. Also here is Malta's largest sandy beach - Mellieha Bay, which is very comfortable to rest on with small children: it is a shallow bay. By the way, this is not the only beach in this part of the island.

The neighborhoods of Mellieha can be divided into several zones:

• Ahrash (Aħrax)
• Selmun and Mistra
• Manikata

How to get

Bus number 37, car.

History of Mellieha

The neighborhoods of modern Mellieha have been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the various archaeological finds in this area - the tracks of wagons, the ruins of megalithic structures .The Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans also did not bypass these lands by the side - they are told about the graves, wells, reservoirs they left behind,.n .During the late antiquity and the Middle Ages, the neighborhoods of Mellieha were inhabited by troglodytes - cave dwellers (by the way, some caves are inhabited to this day, only they are equipped in a modern way) .They were few: people were afraid of pirate raids, which were the worst scourge in those days..

The northernmost part of Malta began to come to life gradually with the advent of the Knights-Johannites who began to fortify its coasts (in the vicinity of Mellieha you can find the surviving - or lying in the ruins of watchtowers, batteries, redoubts, shore fortifications and t .n .) .Around the same time is the flowering of the cult of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in whose sanctuary pilgrims have flocked since the Middle Ages .Among the pilgrims were not only ordinary people, but also knights, bishops and other authorities vested with the authority .By the way, this Marian sanctuary still remains one of the most revered in Malta, and it is less commercialized than Ta 'Pinu at Gozo .

The brief French occupation of the island did not bring Mellieha anything but troubles. The invaders plundered and threatened the local peasants with reprisals. With the arrival of the British, the situation stabilized, and farmers were able to do the usual thing - work in the fields. Mellieha neighborhood is one of Malta's most fertile areas, so cotton, wheat, barley, fodder crops for livestock (mainly sheep and goats) were grown here. Mellikha was famous for its plowed fields and orchards, as well as for apiaries, olive groves and salt pits.

Nowadays it is a resort area with all the necessary attributes - hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, beaches, etc. However, Mellieha is suitable not only for passive beach recreation, but also for active: in its vicinity there are many natural and cultural attractions, transitional tracks and paths, nature reserves. And - from here you can reach the neighboring islands, Gozo and Comino.

Climate

March 1, Sunday Partly cloudy, light rain +13 ° С in the day +11 ° С at night ° С water	March 2, Monday Clearly +14 ° С in the afternoon +13 ° С at night ° С water	March 3, Tuesday Clearly +15 ° С in the day +14 ° С at night ° С water
Mellieha weather forecast for 10 days

Mellieha hotels

Mellieha, we can say, is the third most popular resort area in Malta (after Sliema - St. Julian's and Bugibba - Aura - St. Paul Bay). There are hotels and apartments for rent. In Mellich there are a lot of quality "fours" and in all respects a worthy "five" chain of Radisson. Most of the hotels are not located on the beach, the beach will have to pass 200-300 m.

• 5 * hotels: Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort & Spa (Golden Bay)
• 4 * hotels: Hotel RIU Seabank (Marfa Road), Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa (Mellieħa), Mellieħa Bay Hotel (Ghadira Bay), Paradise Bay Hotel (Marfa Road), Ramla Bay Resort (Marfa Road), Selmun Palace Hotel ), Solana Hotel (Mellieħa), The Pergola Club Hotel (Mellieħa), The Riviera Resort & Spa (Marfa Bay)
• 3 * hotels: Mellieħa Holiday Center (Mellieħa), Panorama Hotel (Mellieħa)

Cuisine and restaurants of Mellieha

Cafes, restaurants, pizzerias, bars are located mainly on George Borg Olivier (a kind of "city arteries") and at hotels (do not forget that "Mellieha" is an elongated concept and is not confined to the city itself).

• Category 1 establishments: Agliolio's Restaurant, Essence Restaurant, Flavors Restaurant (all in Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort & Spa, Golden Bay), The Arches Restaurant
• Restaurants in the area: Al Ponte Restaurant (, Alang Alang Restaurant (Ramla Bay Resort, Marfa Road), Bistro Sol e Mar (The Riviera Resort & Spa, Marfa Bay), Café Latino Punta Rena (Hotel RIU Seabank, Marfa Road), Café Puccini (Solana Hotel, Mellieħa), Costa Del Sol Restaurant (Marfa Road), De Favray Restaurant (Selmun Palace Hotel, Selmun), Great Dane Restaurant (Mellieħa Holiday Center, Mellieħa), Horizon Rstaurant (Ramla Bay Resort, Marfa Road), Jungle Grill House (Hotel RIU Seabank, Marfa Road), La Valle Pizzeria (Pergola Club Hotel & Spa, Mellieħa), Le Mar Pizzeria (Hotel RIU Seabank, Marfa Road), Les Jardins (Mellieħa), Mirasol Restaurant (The Riviera Resort & Spa, Marfa Bay), Ta 'Peter Restaurant (Mellieħa), The White Horses Restaurant (Hotel RIU Seabank, Marfa Road), Tosca Restaurant (Mellieħa), Trattoria De Buono (Hotel RIU Seabank, Marfa Road), Vistana Restaurant (Pergola Club Hotel & Spa, Mellieħa)
• Category 3 establishments: Alantil - Boy Restaurant (Mellieħa), Beachcomber Restaurant (Armier Bay), Giuseppi's Restaurant (Mellieħa), Ray's Lido (Little Armier Bay), Selmun Bar & Restaurant (Selmun Road)

Shopping: shops

Small shops in Mellieha are on the same street George Borg Olivier, but the range and prices are calculated for tourists. In Mellieha, there are very few shops designed for local residents, although, fortunately, relatively recently there were several supermarkets with everything necessary. For more thorough purchases, you still have to travel to the nearest "centers of civilization" - the same St. Paul's Bay.

Branch offices

• HSBC (bank branch, ATM, automatic exchange) are located at 6, Gorg Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha. Opening hours: Mon - Thurs from 08:30 to 13:30, Fri 08:30 to 16:30, Sat from 08:30 to 12: 30

• Bank of Valletta (BOV) (bank branch and ATM) are at 34, Dr. G. Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha. Opening hours: Mon - Thu from 08:30 to 14:00, Fri from 08:30 to 15:30, Sat from 08:30 to 12: 30

Pharmacy

• Karizia Drugstore 69, Triq George Borg Olivier, Mellieħa
• Mellieħa Pharmacy 111, Triq George Borg Olivier Mellieħa
• Village Pharmacy Main Street Mellieħa

Mellieha beaches

Mellieħa Bay, Mġiebaħ, Mistra Bay, Paradise Bay, Little Armier Bay.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Mellieha

Fortification

• The watchtower of St. Agatha, it is the Red Tower (St. Agatha or Red tower) (17th century). It was built by the order of the Grand Master of the Order of the Ioannite Laskaris. It was restored by the non-profit organization Din l-Art Helwa in 2001.

• The White Tower (17th century) Was built by the order of the Grand Master of the Order of the Ioannites de Redina
• The Għajn Ħadid tower (17th century) was built by order of the Grand Master of the Order of the Ioannite de Redina
• The Tower of Ain Znuber (Għajn Żnuber tower) - recently renovated, is located on the territory of the Mistral Park
• Redoubled Escalar (Eskalar redoubt) (18th century) - in ruins
• Redoubt Tal-Bir redoubt (18th century) - in ruins
• Redri Barrera (Barriera redoubt) (18th century)
• Battery in the valley of Musa (Wied Musa battery) (18th century)
• Battery in Mystra (Mistra battery) (18 century). Now it houses a fish farm
• Vendome battery (18th century)
• Battery Westrema (Westreme battery) (17 century). Now it houses a museum of tunnels (a popular method of fishing)
• Coastal fortifications of Ta 'Qassisu entrenchments (18th century)
• Coastal fortifications of Louvier / Armier entrenchments (18th cent.)
• Fort Campbell (20 c.) Was built by the British before the Second World War

Palaces and villas

• Palazzo Selmun (Selmun Palace) .The fortified palace was erected on the project of the Maltese architect Duminka Kakia in the 17th century and belonged to the so-called Slave Redemption Fund, which collected money for the release of all captive Christians - rich and poor..This organization was created in the beginning of the 17th century thanks to the enthusiasm of the Italian Capuchin monk and with the help of the Knights-Johannites and the famous Maltese philanthropist Catharina Vitale, who bequeathed to the Foundation all its lands and property..Palazzo Selmun is standing on the ground, which once belonged to .Now it houses the hotel - $ .

Natural attractions

• Natural Park "Mistral" (Majjistral park)

It is located on the Shara Al-Hamra plateau, between Golben Bay and Anchor Bay. This is a typical coast of northwestern Malta, the main biosystem here is a garrigue, and there are also farmlands. In the park all year round there are both walks and themed eco-activities for children and adults (booking by e-mail walks@majjistral.org)

• The bird sanctuary of Adira (Ghadira Nature Reserve / Bird sanctuary). It is located in the vicinity of Mellieha (Adira, opposite a long sandy beach). This is an artificially created swamp. As in Simar, migratory birds fly here, which either stay for a short rest, or even nest here.

This reserve is open to the general public from November to May on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00. Every hour free excursions are organized here (they tell in detail about plants and birds). The territory is not allowed to smoke and you can not bring your pets. Bring binoculars with you - look at birds.

Churches and Chapels

• Parish church of the Nativity of Virgin Mary (built in the second half of the 19th century)
• Sanctuary of Our Lady. This is the oldest of all the Virgin sanctuaries in Malta. Sunday Masses are held in English (beginning at 10:00 am)
• Caveman Madonna (Our Lady of the Cave)
• Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy
• Chapel of the Immaculate Conception of St. Maria (Immaculate Сonception Chapel), Ahrash
• The parish church of Manikata (20th century) is perhaps the most interesting modern church in Malta. The famous architect Richard Ingland, who designed it, says that he was inspired by a hirn - a traditional Maltese hut, made of cobblestones. I wonder what associations you will have when you see this church :-)
• Chapel of St. Joseph (St. Joseph Chapel), Manikata (20th century)

Photo of Mellieha (9)