Without nearby Ghadira Bay, Mellieha may have remained a small rural village in Malta’s Northern Region—but because it's close to one of the country's best beaches, it has begun to transform into a laid-back tourist resort. Visiting grand old churches, historic towers, bunkers, and the unusual Popeye theme park—where the 1980 live-action musical starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall was filmed—round out the other top things to do in Mellieha, making it a tempting choice for a day trip or base camp to explore the rest of the Northern Region.
There’s little change in Malta’s climate from one place to the next, so Mellieha enjoys the same year-round appeal as the rest of the Mediterranean country. The sizzling summer months of July and August are the natural choice for beach days on Ghadira Bay. However, late winter and early spring, around March and April, are nice alternatives for visitors who are more interested in sightseeing and coastal walks and want to avoid hot weather.
While Mellieha is small enough to explore on foot, attractions such as Ghadira Bay and Popeye Village are not as simple to reach, as a steep hill separates them from the village center. Fortunately, Malta’s bus network runs through Mellieha, providing an easy way to get to the beach and back; for visits to Popeye Village, take the Route 101 bus, which stops outside.
Mellieha Parish Church and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha offer nice views of Ghadira Bay—but the better viewpoint, where you can see both coasts and the sunset, is Triq ta' Ghollieqa, which even has park benches where you can sit to enjoy the landscape. When the beach at Ghadira Bay gets busy, consider visiting Imgiebah Beach or Armier Bay instead, especially on weekends.
