Mellieha is one of Malta's most picturesque
tourist destinations. The town centre boasts of its splendid
hotels, fine restaurants and traditional cute shops. It has a
unique primary school, a majestic baroque church (built in late
19th century) and various cultural organizations, including band
clubs, sports clubs, an orchestra.
Mellieha was never heavily populated to the
extent of Valletta or St Julian's until the Knights included it in
their fortification of the north and erected a few protective
towers. Its geography has kept the town relatively isolated and its
isolation has also spared it the onslaught of tourist development
that engulfed much of the rest of the island. The original Maltese
way of life has survived here, and the people of Mellieha retain
their rural roots through fishing and hunting.
Just 15 minutes walk down a steep hill leads to
Mellieha Bay, the biggest stretch of sand on the island. The 750m
bay predictably draws families and beach-lovers from all over
Malta. The warm, shallow sea gets almost as crowded as the beach so
you may find yourself battling with canoes and inflatable bananas
for a drop of water to splash in. The lifeguards (the only ones
anywhere in Malta) have a tough job keeping an eye on everyone;
luckily, it's very safe as a huge sandbank leaves the water little
more than knee deep for 100m out to sea.