Things to do in Mgarr

2026 Europe 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

Popeye Village

Popeye Village was originally the shooting scene of Popeye's music movie in 1980. It was not dismantled after the filming was completed. With the popularity of Popeye, the original scene became a tourist hotspot in Malta. This colorful town is hidden in a bay with a mountain back, and the cabins of various colors instantly make people feel like they have crossed into a comic situation.

Mdina Old City Fortress

Mdina Old City Fortress is situated on a plateau in the center of Malta Island. It served as the old capital from ancient times until the end of the Middle Ages, with a settlement history dating back nearly 3,000 years to the Phoenician era. Even the name "Mdina" is derived from the Arabic word for "city." Today, the city has only a few hundred permanent residents, and its Norman and Baroque mansions, churches, and walls largely maintain their original layout. St. Paul's Cathedral in the city center is the city's highlight: legend has it that the original site was the residence where the Roman governor received the shipwrecked Apostle Paul. The existing cathedral is a Baroque masterpiece rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake under the direction of architect Lorenzo Gafà. The floor inside is inlaid with marble tombstones of Maltese nobles, and the large mural behind the main altar depicts the scene of Paul's shipwreck and arrival on the island. The facade also features two clocks side-by-side, one for the time and one for the date, and the adjacent museum houses Dürer's woodcut series "The Life of the Virgin." Standing on the viewing platform by the city walls, you can take in most of Malta Island. Visitors can also enjoy an authentic dining experience within the ancient buildings and soak in the unique historical atmosphere.

Comino

Comino is a tiny island nestled between Malta Island and Gozo, its name derived from the cumin that once flourished here. The entire island is designated as a nature reserve and bird sanctuary. Its landscape is defined by limestone coasts, low-lying shrubs, and sea caves nestled within cliffs. During the Middle Ages, these caves served as hideouts and bases for pirates, adding a touch of legend to the island. The Blue Lagoon, located between the island and the islet of Cominotto, is a well-known view here: the land on both sides encloses a sheltered, shallow bay where the white sandy bottom makes the seawater appear almost transparent, displaying a bright cyan-blue color. The bay is rich in marine life, making it perfect for snorkeling, diving, and swimming. The well-preserved St. Mary's Tower on the island was built in 1618 under the direction of the Order of Malta. It features a square tower body with corner turrets and walls several meters thick. It was originally used to watch for pirate activity and even served as the Château d'If where the protagonist was imprisoned in the film "The Count of Monte Cristo"; the St. Mary's Chapel from the same period and the 18th-century St. Mary's Battery are also historical landmarks worth visiting while hiking around the island. Films such as "Troy" have also been filmed on the island.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Malta

Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoonis located in the strait between Comino and Cominotto. It is a protected shallow bay with a white sandy bottom and crystal-clear water, where the water color transitions from deep blue in the distance to a bright blue-green near the shore. The water here is shallow with high visibility, and the shadows of boats anchored in the bay are clearly visible on the seabed, making the boats look like they are floating on glass.Blue Lagoon's main activities revolve around the water. Visitors can swim and snorkel in the shallow areas, where the high underwater visibility allows for observing small fish and coral. It is one of the most photogenic natural attractions in Malta.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Malta

Old Mint Street

Old Mint Streetis a narrow, steep street in the old town of Valletta, the capital of Malta, stretching from the city gate down the slope toward the sea. The "Mint" in the street name is a literal translation of the English word "mint," which actually refers not to the herb, but to the minting workshop established on this street during the time of the Knights Hospitaller. In Maltese, it is still called "Mint Street" today. The street is lined with old houses built of honey-colored limestone, with colorful enclosed wooden balconies cantilevered from the walls. The red, green, and blue paint against the warm yellow walls creates one of the most recognizable streetscapes in Valletta.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Malta

Blue Grotto

Blue Grottois located on the southern coast of Malta and is a series of sea caves formed by years of seawater erosion, as well as one of the representatives of Malta's "Three Blues" views. The cave system consists of several chambers, and the entrance to the main cave is a natural arch tens of m high. Its name in Maltese literally translates to "under the arch." The water inside the cave is exceptionally clear. When sunlight shines into the entrance, the water surface takes on a transparent, almost sky-blue hue, while algae and marine life in the water reflect orange, purple, and green spots onto the cave walls, with light and shadow changing constantly depending on the angle of illumination.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Malta

St. John's Co-Cathedral

St. John's Cathedral in Valletta is one of the more famous cathedrals in the world. It was built by the Knights of Malta from 1573 to 1578. It is the place where leaders and knights hold major religious ceremonies and sacrifices. The church is in early Baroque architectural style, partly imitating Gothic. Although the exterior is pure white and plain, the interior ornate decoration is breathtaking. The entire dome of the church is a large fresco, painted by the Italian painter Madia Brady, showing the life story of St. John, and the carved stone walls can make people understand the history of the Knights. This church is also known as one of the more beautiful churches in Europe. The interior of the cathedral is further divided into eight chapels, dedicated to the patron saints of the eight parts of the Knights. There is also a Cathedral Museum (CathedralMuseum), one of the more famous works of art is Caravaggio's "Saint John beheaded".

No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Malta

Upper Barrakka

Upper Barrakkais located on the ramparts of Valletta overlooking the Grand Harbour, built on the top tier of the St. Peter and St. Paul Bastion. The garden's seaside colonnade was built in 1661, commissioned by the Italian knights of the Order of St. John; originally covered, it was later converted into the open-air style seen today. Walk along the row of arches to the viewing platform, where you can take in the blue waters of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities on the opposite shore; the port shipyards and the old and new streets in the lower parts of Valletta are also clearly visible. Several statues and monuments are scattered between the columns, including a replica of "Street Urchins" by Maltese sculptor Antonio Sciortino, which is worth a closer look. It is a perfect place for a leisurely stroll.

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Malta

Mdina Gate

Mdina Gate is a Baroque-style building built in 1724, with a grand, imposing appearance and a rich historical atmosphere. It is also one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones and is well-known to many fans.

No. 3 of Family-friendly Attractions in Malta

Malta National Aquarium