Villa Ellul is located in the middle of the Santa Maria Valley in Mellieha, the northernmost town in Malta, perfectly positioned in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. The villa is a short thirty-five-minute drive from Malta's international airport and within easy driving distance of Malta's best sights and attractions. The island of Malta is steeped in history, dating back as far as five thousand and five hundred and fifty years ago, home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven megalithic temples, and neolithic architecture, and a few windmills too. The old traditional village of Mellieha is but a short walk away and will give you a taste of local Maltese life, with welcoming cafés, bars, and restaurants, shops and stores. Mellieha is blessed with Malta's longest beach, the beautiful Ghadira Bay, with its white sands and calm sea. If you like walking, the area has many hiking trails, trek to the nearby Ghajn Znuber Observation Tower, or the Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park and spot the herons and egrets, or to il-Mizieb and follow the rugged coast of the Marfa Ridge. Other notable landmarks include an air raid shelter, St Agatha's Red Tower, Coral Lagoon, Our Lady of the Grotto, numerous old churches, and many more beautiful beaches, especially Paradise, Riviera and Anchor Bays.
For those wanting to travel further afield; Take the thirty-minute ferry crossing from Mellieha to the island of Gozo, known as the pearl of the Med. Here you can relax on beautiful sandy beaches, or if you are feeling more active, visit the UNESCO Ggantija neolithic temples, older than the pyramids and Stonehenge. Have a day out with a drive to Rabat Mdina and see the Roman ruins, visit the San Antoni Palace and Gardens, explore St Paul's cathedral and catacombs, or stroll around the thirteenth century Palazzo Falzon and Santa Sofia. All aboard the Marsalforn, a trackless train, where you can enjoy views of the stunning Maltese coastline. No visit to Malta is complete without a visit to the capital Valetta, a forty-minute drive from the villa. Here you will find a walled city founded by the Knights of St John, dating from the 1500's, full of baroque churches and cathedrals, the beautiful Upper Barrakka Gardens, where a cannon is fired every day at noon, and an old town with winding streets full of luxurious shops, cafes, bars and restaurants where you can sample the best of the local Maltese cuisine. Go further south to see the famous Wardija Towers, thirteen fortifications guarding the coast; tilt at windmills, including the still working Tax-Xarolla; and swim, snorkel or rock climb the walls of the renowned Blue Grotto, a collection of sea caverns in the town of Zurrieq. Malta is famous for its many film sets; release your inner Jon Snow with a visit to the Game of Thrones location, and your holiday is complete!
The Region
There are so many reasons visitors fall head over heels in love with Malta. Not only is the sunny Mediterranean island home to stunning beaches and beautiful landscapes, it’s also a paradise for guests seeking authentic cultural experiences and rich heritage.
Starting with Malta’s capital, Valletta, a handsome city dating back to the 16th century that has earned its title as a UNESCO World Heritage site with its ornate architecture and baroque Saint John's Co-Cathedral. During the day, sip coffee on the café terraces of Pjazza Regina then watch the city come to life in the evening as locals gather across the historic centre to dine al-fresco and party into the night – Strada Stretta is the place to be!
With a history spanning over 7000 years, Malta is a dream for historians of every age. Come across old forts and towers as you explore the coastline as well as fascinating museums in villages and towns. Head back further in time as you admire the island’s incredible archaeological sites including the megalithic temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra.
Then there’s the blue-flag beaches and swimming opportunities – with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the island’s varied coastline. From Ghadira Bay in the north with its sandy shores and shallow water to the rocky coastline around Il-Kalanka for jumping and snorkelling, there are so many idyllic spots to choose from. Don’t forget that Malta is also home to some of the most beautiful and clear European waters for diving.
Culturally, there is so much to experience such as the vibrant Carnival just before Lent as well as music festivals and village events across the summer. During the second weekend of October, one of Malta’s oldest cities is magically lit up by candlelight during Birgufest whilst there are plenty of enchanting celebrations around Christmas time.
There’s no shortage of fine food to be savoured across Malta – dining out is a wonderful way to experience true Maltese hospitality. Cuisine is inspired by the Mediterranean, Sicily and even North Africa yet it has its distinct identity too, usually accompanied by traditionally baked Maltese bread, a staple of the diet. Come across delicious pastizzi and ftira biz-zejt alongside cheeses, olive oil, sea-salt and honey infused with thyme, all delectable delights that have been produced across the island for centuries.
