Translating as “well of olives”, Birżebbuġa is a laid-back seaside town with a golden beach on the south-east coast of Malta. It’s surrounded by ancient archaeological sites and on the doorstep of Ghar Dalam, a cave where artefacts dating back to the Neolithic Period have been discovered.
Things to do in Birżebbuġa
For a day at the beach, head to Pretty Bay, which enjoys impressive views of all the comings and goings at the Malta Freeport. You can refresh with a swim in the protected bay, mingle with the locals at the skate park or stretch your legs on the walking paths that traverse the waterfront reserve. Fringing the beach are plenty of restaurants where you can dine throughout the day, including DistrictFive and the Angolina Snack Bar.
On the outskirts of Birżebbuġa is Borġ In-Nadur, an archaeological site that preserves the remains of a Tarxien phase megalithic temple. Marvel at the upright megaliths from the 2,500 BC temple and learn about the discovery of hut foundations from a village that flourished in the temple surroundings during the Bronze Age.
A short drive from Birżebbuġa is the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, which is home to the Church of Our Lady of Pompei. Heritage listed, it was established in 1890 after the Marquess Rosalia Apap Viani Testaferrata was saved from a violent storm at sea. Step inside to see the statue of the Virgin Mary crafted by Guzeppe Malicore and marvel at the religious paintings by Giuseppe Cali.
Getting around Birżebbuġa
Birżebbuġa is around 15 minutes’ drive from Valletta and 10 minutes from Malta International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular buses connect to Birżebbuġa and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.