Mellieha, Malta
| country: | Malta |
| location: | Mellieha |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Why should you visit?
Mellieha is a rural village ideally situated in the north western part of the island of Malta. Known for its wonderful sandy beaches, world-class hotels and restaurants, Mellieha is one of Malta's most pristine regions. Together with the Hamlet of Manikata, the region makes up one of the country's most important historical areas. Ruins and tombs show Mellieha to have been inhabited as far back as Neolithic times to the Byzantine era. The region was deserted after the Arab conquest in 870 AD and remained that way for centuries, before the entire island was handed over to the Knights of Malta in 1530.
What can you do here?
With its marvellous Mediterranean weather, Mellieha is a dream destination for those in search of sun. The beaches that line the coast of Mellieha are some of the world's finest. All the "fun under the sun" activities are avail-able, along with top-notch restaurants, nightlife and accommodations. For visitors looking for non-beach culture, Mellieha is rich in archaeological sites. The magnificent church, Our Lady Mellieha, is one of Malta's most-prized pieces. It was built shortly after the Knights re-established the island in the 1500s. Every year on August 30th, the feast of Our Ladies of Victories commemorates the repelling of the Ottoman Great Siege in 1565. The celebration lasts until September 8th and it is said that this victory helped save Europe's Christianity.
What makes the Locality of Mellieha special?
The charm and mystique in the region are alluring. With a combined population of 8,200 residents, Mellieha and Manikata offer visitors a relaxed "rural-island" experience. The picturesque landscapes on the coastal region are second to none, with many trails leading to spectacular vista points. Inland, vast and fertile farmlands provide fresh produce to the region’s many restaurants. Local farmers, through programs like the Rural Heritage Trail, have recently banded together to preserve their authentic farming practices and the results are impressive. Mellieha is also home to many rare and protected species of wildlife. Its close proximity to the seashores attracts a great number of colourful birds.
What makes it sustainable?
The people of Mellieha are constantly looking at ways to improve their land. Major projects to cleanup abandoned countryside farms and other places of neglect are top priorities on the agenda. One such area, Il-Bajjad, once was a deteriorating scrapyard. After incalculable hours of work, the terraced fields re-opened in 2008 with a vineyard, garden and fruit trees. Countless other projects have also succeeded in refurbishing old farmhouses and turning them into modern bed and breakfasts. These unique practices are what make this locality a leader in today's world of redeveloped landscapes.
What to look for in:
Spring: Trails filled with adventurous walkers Summer: Sun-drenched beaches with sparkling sand Fall: Fantastic dinners with seasonal vegetables Winter: Breath-taking sunsets from beachside villas
Highlights of Malta:
Spend a week celebrating at the Our Ladies of Victories feast Have fresh strawberries for breakfast Wake up at a countryside B&B
Gozo’s small village of Santa Lucija in Kercem, surrounded by rich hill scenery, cultural and historical monuments and natural water springs, is truly a sight to behold. The “seven-course meal”, Ikla tan-Nanna servinc, a traditional form of dining, and the spiritual “Santa Lucija by Night” light festival are unique to this part of the Mediterranean.
Nadur (2007)
Nadur, on the island of Gozo, has the perfect blend of culture, rural activities and natural heritage with an elaborate sustainable tourism approach that is reflected in the daily lives of locals.
Mellieha is a rural village ideally situated in the north western part of the island of Malta. Known for its wonderful sandy beaches, world-class hotels and restaurants, Mellieha is one of Malta's most pristine regions. Together with the Hamlet of Manikata, the region makes up one of the country's most important historical areas. Ruins and tombs show Mellieha to have been inhabited as far back as Neolithic times to the Byzantine era. The region was deserted after the Arab conquest in 870 AD and remained that way for centuries, before the entire island was handed over to the Knights of Malta in 1530.
What can you do here?
With its marvellous Mediterranean weather, Mellieha is a dream destination for those in search of sun. The beaches that line the coast of Mellieha are some of the world's finest. All the "fun under the sun" activities are avail-able, along with top-notch restaurants, nightlife and accommodations. For visitors looking for non-beach culture, Mellieha is rich in archaeological sites. The magnificent church, Our Lady Mellieha, is one of Malta's most-prized pieces. It was built shortly after the Knights re-established the island in the 1500s. Every year on August 30th, the feast of Our Ladies of Victories commemorates the repelling of the Ottoman Great Siege in 1565. The celebration lasts until September 8th and it is said that this victory helped save Europe's Christianity.
What makes the Locality of Mellieha special? The charm and mystique in the region are alluring. With a combined population of 8,200 residents, Mellieha and Manikata offer visitors a relaxed "rural-island" experience. The picturesque landscapes on the coastal region are second to none, with many trails leading to spectacular vista points. Inland, vast and fertile farmlands provide fresh produce to the region’s many restaurants. Local farmers, through programs like the Rural Heritage Trail, have recently banded together to preserve their authentic farming practices and the results are impressive. Mellieha is also home to many rare and protected species of wildlife. Its close proximity to the seashores attracts a great number of colourful birds.
What makes it sustainable?
The people of Mellieha are constantly looking at ways to improve their land. Major projects to cleanup abandoned countryside farms and other places of neglect are top priorities on the agenda. One such area, Il-Bajjad, once was a deteriorating scrapyard. After incalculable hours of work, the terraced fields re-opened in 2008 with a vineyard, garden and fruit trees. Countless other projects have also succeeded in refurbishing old farmhouses and turning them into modern bed and breakfasts. These unique practices are what make this locality a leader in today's world of redeveloped landscapes.
What to look for in:
Highlights of Malta: other EDEN destinations in Malta
Kercem (2008)Gozo’s small village of Santa Lucija in Kercem, surrounded by rich hill scenery, cultural and historical monuments and natural water springs, is truly a sight to behold. The “seven-course meal”, Ikla tan-Nanna servinc, a traditional form of dining, and the spiritual “Santa Lucija by Night” light festival are unique to this part of the Mediterranean.
Nadur (2007)
Nadur, on the island of Gozo, has the perfect blend of culture, rural activities and natural heritage with an elaborate sustainable tourism approach that is reflected in the daily lives of locals.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Have you ever sat at your desk during a busy work day and felt your mind drift off to another place? That special spot on Monday was a beach some-where in the Mediterranean. A few days later your mind ventured to a castle on top of a hillside. The experience was so vivid that you could almost smell the fresh mountain air.
Each day the clock ticks and you yearn for a holiday free of the hustle and bustle of city life. You want a destination that is known for its local charm, its beautiful landscapes and fascinating history. A place where the locals respect their land and will do anything to protect it from harm. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, in Europe, the possibilities are endless. The European Commission launched the European Destinations of Excel-lence (EDEN) a few years back with the aim of selecting special places "off the beaten path" that value economic, environmental and social sustainabil-ity. The 52 places chosen so far all represent Europe in a fitting manner. Europe is a continent of great history and lands. The continent's mystique draws tourists from around the world in search of adventure, paradise and culture. While there are many wonderful destinations in Europe, the truth is, many of them have lost their allure due to expansive tourism and a lack of regard for the environment. No longer can a region's name alone be enough to draw visitors to their majestic mountains or pristine beaches. There must be more and the European Commission has devoted numerous resources to instill the mind-set of sustainable tourism in its regions. Sustainable tourism is a practice that must run deep in the values of the local people. Whenever new accommodation is built and man-made changes are made to the landscape, eco-friendly and environmental measures must be followed. A constant respect for nature is needed to ensure that today's crea-tures and eco-systems are still around in the distant future. Sustainable tourism also plays a major role in a region's local economy. The growth of an area leads to more jobs and helps raise the quality of living in a region. The local people also take advantage of visitors eating at their restaurants, shopping at their markets and staying at their hotels. It is essential that proper investment in tourism growth has the people's best interests in mind.  The next time you go on a memorable holiday to the countryside and enjoy a bottle of the Earth's precious wine, take notice of the land and its people. These 52 selected EDEN "hidden gems" all have done their part in making their region a wonderful and memorable place to visit. Now it's up to you to decide which adventure you want to seek! |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |