Things to see and do Mellieha

On the road to Cirkewwa, the ferry port to Gozo. Malta's largest white-sand beach, Mellieha (or Ghadira) Bay is ideally located in the heart of one of the most popular seaside resorts in the north. Perfect for family get-togethers, the sea is reputed to be calm, not exposed to currents and shallow, and there are plenty of stalls to enjoy an icy treat after a swim. Deckchairs are available for hire, as are numerous water sports (pedal boats, water-skiing, buoys, etc.). And you can end the evening in the pleasant village of Mellieha, always lively in the evening.

The Red Tower (or St Agatha's Tower) was erected in 1649 by the knights during the reign of the great master Lascaris. It plays an important role in each of the conflicts that affect the island from the eighteenth century. It dominates the entire Marfa peninsula and offers a superb panorama of the cliffs, from Dingli to Gozo. After a substantial renovation in 2001, she regained her red color. And it's likely to be the subject of a new, less important renovation. The road that continues towards the tip of Qammieh, the south end of Marfa, offers only one visibly appreciated harbor of hunters, some ruins without real interest and beautiful views.

In this village, overlooking the bay of the same name, you can visit this church, which contains a beautiful painting of Giuseppe Cali, the Shipwreck of Saint Paul. At the back, in the chapel of the sanctuary of Notre-Dame, the oldest sanctuary of the island dedicated to the Virgin, the painting of the Madonna is attributed to the Evangelist Saint Luc who accompanied Saint Paul during his shipwreck in Malta. The place where the chapel is called the square of 26 May 1990, since its soil was foulé by John Paul II, came to pray. It is the oldest sanctuary on the island dedicated to the Virgin.

A small museum welcomes ex-voto and returns to the papal visit.

This reserve offers the chance to observe the flora and fauna around the ancient salt pans, the only "marshy" area in the country.

In the ^16th century, Ghadira was Malta's largest salt works. When this industry was moved to the present-day and aptly-named Salina Bay, Ghadira was neglected, then abandoned.

In the 1960s, the Birdlife Malta association - the oldest organization of its kind in Malta (1962), now with 3,300 members - proposed to create a nature reserve here, a sanctuary for migratory birds. The pond was enlarged and islands created. The reserve was inaugurated in 1988 and today covers 6 ha, 100 m from Mellieha beach. It is open to the public, who can take advantage of the observation shelters.

The flora is made up of species that can adapt to water and salty soil (halophytes), and to variations in salinity, such as reeds and rushes of various species. There are also a few trees, such as Aleppo pine, carob and olive.

Birds are plentiful. Two hundred species can be observed here, depending on the season. Grebes, ducks, herons, egrets, rails, coots or kingfishers, as well as numerous passerines such as warblers, buntings..

Mammals include rabbits, weasels, hedgehogs, shrews and bats. Reptiles include the Mediterranean chameleon, a few non-venomous snakes and various species of geckos. Aquatic fauna must also be able to withstand changes in salinity. These include mullets, eels and snails.