Malta and Gozo Marco Polo Pocket Travel Guide - with pull out map (Marco Polo Guides) (Marco Polo Pocket Guides)

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Mellieħa is a very popular tourist destination and a great alternative to the busy, loud and fast life of St. Julian’s, Sliema or Buġibba/Qawra/St. Paul’s Bay. There are several options when planning your stay in Mellieħa, be it a hotel, holiday complex, or self-catering apartment. People on Gozo speak Maltese with a slightly different accent from the main Maltese islanders, and people from the different Gozitan villages each have their own different dialect. There are also many naturally formed caves around the base of the village which according to experts have been inhabited by troglodytes since 213 B.C. These caves seem to have been used not only as dwellings but also as a place for burial. The village has a tiny beach with sandy shores and gentle shallow waters, which are safe for swimming and wading.

If you are renting a car, you can see current traffic congestions in various colours. They are marked in three different colours, green (light), orange (medium) and red (heavy). It was capable of housing 30 soldiers. From the top of St Agatha’s Tower, the view is absolutely stunning. You can see right up to Gozo on one side and down past Mosta on the other. For a small entrance fee, visitors can climb to the top of the tower and also visit a small section with the history of the tower and the restoration process. The Red Tower is opened by Din l-Art Helwa volunteers as follows: Explore the planet's most surprising adventures with our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. Malta Coastal Walk Best for the ultimate Maltese adventurePostcard-perfect images define the island's picturesque coastline of sheltered beaches. The crystal-clear waters are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The countryside also has many scenic pathways, ranging from gentle walks to invigorating hikes. One of the benefits of staying in Mellieħa is also that you’re close to Malta’s beautiful (and quieter) sister islands of Gozo and Comino (the smallest and barely inhabited of the three Maltese islands). If you've read Homer's Odyssey, you may recognize the Island of Gozo as the legendary Calypso's Isle described in the epic poem.

The village has a lavish Baroque Parish Church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. The ornate interior features marvelous ceiling paintings, gilded Corinthian columns, and an airy dome with stained-glass windows. As on Malta there are vineyards on Gozo, one can often buy unlabeled local wines cheaply but be sure to ask to taste them as quality can vary widely. The shops near the citadel in Victoria/Rabat usually have a good selection. To arrive in Gozo, you have to take the ferry from Cirkewwa on the Island of Malta to the seaport of Mgarr on the Island of Gozo. You can then hop on the local buses (and taxis) to get around the island. Buses run less frequently than on Malta, but it's easier than renting a car. Gozo bus drivers know how to navigate the island's hairpin turns and narrow one-lane roads. Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa – A 4-star hotel in the centre of Mellieħa, just a few minutes walk from the beach and close to a lot of restaurants on the same street. Facilities include three pools, a gym and a spa.If the Gozo/Blue Lagoon combo appeals to you, you can also get an organised boat tour with Sea Adventure Malta. (TIP: Get 5% off using coupon code MALTA5) You’ll need to include a transfer to Buġibba, from where they depart, but the big benefit is that you can stay on the boat at the Blue Lagoon. Mellieha village is located in the north of the island with hotels and many rental holiday apartments. It is very popular and attracts many people to the longest sandy beach Ghadira Bay. This map is two sided, one side shows the village area and the other the north tip of the island with all the bays, hotels and ferry terminal. Besides its military importance, Malta was an important stopover point for many ships travelling in the Mediterranean and beyond. It was a place where ships could refuel and resupply. Combine a half-day visit to Gozo with a late afternoon stop and swim at the Blue Lagoon. Not everyone needs a full day out at the Blue Lagoon, and combining a visit there with a trip to Gozo can be a great solution. In summer, these are the best options I can recommend: Blue Lagoon + Sunset Tour of Gozo by Quad Bike or by Tuk Tuk. (TIP: Get 5% off using coupon code MALTA5) Since the village is located on a hilltop, the streets aren’t exactly level and there are a lot of steps to climb if you go around on foot. In other words: It’s not the best place to stay for persons with disabilities.

This Marian shrine is the most important pilgrimage church on the Maltese Islands. With its 47-meter campanile, the Basilica of Ta' Pinu stands as a beacon of faith in a remote valley between the villages of Ghammar and Gharb. Cultural attractions in the Citadel include the Folklore Museum, which presents traditional costumes and crafts of Gozo Island; and the Old Prison used by the Knights of Saint John in the 16th century (the cells are covered in prisoner's graffiti). The present flag of Malta was adopted on September 21, 1964. The flag’s design is bicolor, consisting of two vertical bands of white and red. The flag has the representation of George Cross edged in red on the upper hoist-side corner of the white band. Malta Location Built in 1658, the White Tower (Maltese: Torri l-Abjad) is a small watchtower overlooking Armier Bay. It is one of 13 watchtowers, built under the rule of Grand Master Martin de Redin to defend the Maltese coast. In 2009, it was passed on to the local council as part of the area’s cultural heritage. Għajn Tuffieħa Tower

The immense fortified ramparts of golden stone glow a pinkish-ochre hue in the afternoon light. From the three bastions (semicircular battlements) of the Citadel, you can take in panoramic views of the Gozo countryside. The landscape is dotted with villages in the hills and valleys all the way to the sea. Within the Citadel is a maze of winding streets and narrow alleyways. See what amenities there are near your current location for example coffee shops, gas stations, hotels, restaurants and more. Filfla is an uninhabited island, is located 4.5 kilometres (2.8 miles) south of Malta. It is barren and has a surface area of 0.06 square kilometres (0.02 square miles). It’s a nature reserve and birds protected area. Map of Malta and Gozo: Closest Neighbors

Ix-Xewkija is a historic village (the oldest on the island) best known for its parish church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. This remarkable church at the center of the village is Gozo's largest religious monument; its dome is a distinctive landmark visible across much of the island. Use the Bus System: The Island of Gozo has an excellent bus system that provides access to all of the top tourist attractions on the island. Although the Gozo buses run less frequently than on Malta, this mode of transportation is an easy-to-use and affordable way for tourists to travel around the island. Using Google maps gives you many opportunities to discover the island before coming and whilst you are here. Steps away from Independence Square is St. George's Basilica is a 17th-century Baroque church known as the "Marble Basilica," because the interior is covered with marble inlays and columns. The basilica also has lavish ceiling paintings and numerous works of art by Mattia Preti.The Parish Church houses statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul created in 1881 in Marseilles, which are paraded through town for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul celebration at the end of June every year. The festival also includes brass band concerts, a crafts show, and fireworks. The beaches are usually quiet and idyllic. One of the most beautiful beaches on Gozo is San Blas Beach and is easily accessible by car or bus. Other nice beaches are Mgarr-Ix-Xini and Ramla Beach. And if you need to go up to Ċirkewwa to catch the Gozo ferry, you need to hop on bus number 41 or 42.