Featuring an impressive bay full of colorful fishing boats, Marsaxlokk is one of Malta’s must-see locations. With a population of almost 3,500 inhabitants, Marsaxlokk lies in the southeastern part of Malta. While most people tend to visit Marsaxlokk on half-day trips from Valletta, the truth is that it can be an excellent base for your Malta vacation. Moreover, the fact that it has been inhabited since antiquity offers a unique vibe to the place.
So, in this travel guide to Marsaxlokk, you’ll find everything you need to know before visiting Malta’s most picturesque fishing village. Specifically, you’ll learn how to reach the village and some historical facts. You’ll also read about the best things to do in Marsaxlokk and the places of interest close to it. Finally, you will find my recommendations about the nicest places to stay in Marsaxlokk.
So, let’s start with the things to do in Marsaxlokk and the guide to Malta’s colorful gem.
*Some of the links are affiliate links. It means that if you buy something, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
How to get to Marsaxlokk
There are four ways to reach Marsaxlokk, and I will write each of them down.
By public transport
If you travel independently to Marsaxlokk, the cheapest way to reach it is by bus. Please remember that Malta has no intercity buses. That said, you should expect numerous stops along the way. To reach Marsaxlokk from Valletta (44 stops), you need to catch bus 81 or 85. The buses run once or twice per hour; they take approximately 40 minutes and start close to Valletta’s Gate. That’s by far the cheapest option: the bus ticket in Malta currently costs 1,50 euros.
You can see the current timetable for bus 81 here, and the schedule for bus 85 is here.
By Malta Hop-on hop-off bus
One of the best ways to do Malta sightseeing is the local hop-on-hop-off buses. You can buy a ticket and embark and disembark at any of the designated stops. The itineraries are split between the North and South routes, and to visit Marsaxlokk, you need to choose the South Route. These buses don’t run daily, though. The South Route operates every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. However, the itineraries depend always on the season; therefore, check the time schedules before planning.
You can find more about the hop-on-hop-off bus here.
By taxi to Marsaxlokk
There’s always the option to take a taxi to Marsaxlokk. It doesn’t matter where in Malta you are (well, it does for the cost), and you can always call a cab and visit Marsaxlokk. Apart from the official taxis operating around the island, you can also download ecabs (imagine it like Maltese Uber) and reach your destination. Official taxis tend to be pricier; e-cabs are usually 20% cheaper. From Valletta to Marsaxlokk, you shouldn’t pay more than 17-18 euros with e-cabs.
You can download ecabs for iPhone or ecabs for Android.
To Marsaxlokk by car
If you feel comfortable driving a car (remember: in Malta, you drive on the left like in the UK), renting a car is probably the easiest way to visit Marsaxlokk and any other place in Malta. You won’t need more than 20 minutes to reach it unless, of course, there’s heavy traffic on the road.
The best things to do in Marsaxlokk, Malta
As I already wrote, Marsaxlokk is a small fishing village, and sightseeing is limited. However, it’s one of the most beautiful places you can visit in Malta. So, if enjoying a place’s beauty sounds like you, stopping at the small Marsaxlokk bay is a must for your vacation.
So, let’s see a selection of things to do in Marsaxlokk.
Stroll around Marsaxlokk’s harbor
You won’t easily find a more colorful area anywhere in Malta. The port of Marsaxlokk is stunning, and it’s Malta’s most instagrammable spot. The small bay of the village is packed with colorful boats, and they deserve a special mention. The so-called luzzu (plural: luzzi) is a traditional Maltese fishing boat. The luzzi are always painted in various bright colors (yellow, red, blue, green), and their bows usually feature a pair of eyes.
Walking along the waterfront will give you an idea of the inhabitants’ daily life. You’ll come across people going fishing while others repair their boats. It might be hard to believe, but walking up and down the Marsaxlokk harbor will expose you to the place’s beauty. Ending at the eastern part will give you a fantastic view of the whole port, and the hundreds of boats create a breathtaking image.
Marsaxlokk Sunday Market
Sunday is the liveliest day of the week. The Marsaxlokk Market takes place every Sunday, and fresh fish is everywhere. So if you have the flexibility to choose the day of your visit, then Sunday is the way to go. Loats of kiosks sell fresh fish, and both locals and tourists reach Marsaxlokk to observe the spectacle. That’s one of the most original things you can do in Malta, and it’s a must-see for sure.
Plus, there’s an “express” bus every Sunday between Valletta and Marsaxlokk. The bus runs just a couple of times every Sunday between the two places, so make sure to check the itineraries of bus TD10 here.
Alternatively, an excellent guided tour will bring you to the famous Blue Grotto and then drive you to the Marsaxlokk Sunday Market. Apparently, the tour is available only on Sundays, and you can book it here.
The Marsaxlokk Parish Church
While it’s everything about the sea, Marsaxlokk has its own unique piece of architecture. The Marsaxlokk Parish Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Pompei, and its interior is beautiful. Dating back to the 19th century, this Roman Catholic church features paintings by the Maltese artist Giuseppe Cali. In the church’s interior, you can also see an impressive statue of the Virgin Mary that was brought from Lecce, Italy, back in 1899.
Enjoy fresh seafood in one of the waterfront restaurants
Even if you’re on a short trip to Marsaxlokk, don’t miss the chance to enjoy some seafood. The village’s waterfront is full of restaurants serving fresh fish directly from the local fishermen. The prices won’t vary that much, so choose the restaurant you like and ask for the menu.
Some of the best places to eat fresh fish at Marsaxlokk are:
Other things to do in Marsaxlokk
The village’s center is pretty compact and mainly occupied by the waterfront. However, at a short distance from Marsaxlokk, there are a couple of great things to see.
Fort Saint Lucian
You can easily walk to Fort San Lucian for a piece of Knights’ history. The Order of Saint John built the famous fort to protect the bay from the Ottomans. The fort dates back to 1610, and it’s still in excellent condition. You can reach it in just 15 minutes from Marsaxlokk’s waterfront -make sure to walk towards Birzebbuga.
Swim at St Peter’s pool
Saint Peter’s Pool is one of the best swimming spots in Malta. You can expect it to be overcrowded during the summertime; however, it truly deserves a visit even in winter. The landscape is breathtaking, and you can always admire the rocks and the crystal-clear water. If you’d like to swim at St Peter’s pool during the summer, make sure to visit early; otherwise, you might not find a place.
Fort Delimara
Fort Delimara is a fortification built by the British. You can walk there, but unfortunately, you can’t visit Fort Delimara due to an urgent need for restoration. If the name Delimara rings a bell, it’s probably because there was once a watchtower at the spot built by the Knights. However, this tower doesn’t exist anymore. Finally, if you are an Assassin Creed fan, you probably remember it from the 2016 movie filmed there.
Close to the fort, you can also see the Delimara Power Station, the biggest power plant on the island. Its four electricity generation plants provide electrical energy to the whole country.
Where to stay in Marsaxlokk, Malta
You might rightly wonder: should I stay overnight in Marsaxlokk? Well, this largely depends a) on your travel style and b) on the number of days you have on the island. So, if you haven’t been to Malta before and you’re only here for 3-4 days, I’d say you don’t have to stay in Marsaxlokk. On the other hand, if you’ve been to Malta or searching for a quiet place to relax for a week, Marsaxlokk is something for you.
That said, many people looking for a place close to beautiful beaches -like Kalanka- prefer Marsaxlokk for their stay. Plus, after the tourists leave the village late in the afternoon, you’ll have it for yourself. Therefore, for some original Malta feeling, or if you don’t want to do extreme sightseeing, Marsaxolokk can be an excellent base for your Malta holidays. And, of course, nothing is too far away in Malta.
There are just a handful of accommodations in the village that tend to sell out fast. So, if the above sounds tempting to you, here is my handpicked selection of places to stay in Marsaxlokk.
The best hotels in Marsaxlokk
Quayside Hotel. That’s hands down my favorite accommodation in Marsaxlokk. Located in a restored 19th-century building right on the seafront, the Quayside offers excellent sea views and beautiful rooms. It’s a self-catering accommodation with a kitchen and air conditioning. See prices and availability for Quayside Hotel.
Duncan Guesthouse. This guesthouse is one more great option for your stay. Enjoying a prime location on the village’s seafront, it offers spacious rooms and an English breakfast. Every room has a kitchen, and some come with balconies. See prices and availability for Duncan Guesthouse.
Port View Guesthouse. This is another family-run guesthouse just 20 meters from the waterfront. It has modern rooms and serves continental breakfast on the rooftop terrace with splendid views of the bay. See the Port View Guesthouse.
Please use the interactive map below for all other accommodation options in Marsaxlokk.
FAQ about Marsaxlokk
This section contains some interesting facts about Marsaxlokk. It will also give you some extra info about your upcoming visit and give you a better overview of the place.
How do you pronounce Marsaxlokk?
The easiest way to pronounce it is Mar-sah-shlock.
Are Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala the same place?
No. Even if the names sound similar, these are two different places. Marsaskala is not far away from Marsaxlokk, though.
What does the name Marsaxlokk mean?
The name has its meaning, and you can even call it old-times geolocation. Marsa stands for port in Arabic, and xlokk is a Maltese word for the southeast. Therefore, Marsaxlokk means the southeastern port.
However, the word xlokk strongly refers to the sirocco, the dry southeastern wind. Another interpretation would be the port of the southeastern winds.
Is Marsaxlokk worth visiting?
Yes, definitely. Marsaxlokk is one of the most picturesque locations in Malta, and it’ll be a pity to miss it. Even if you can’t spend more than just a couple of hours in Marsaxlokk, make sure to include it in your Malta itinerary.
Is there a bus between Malta’s airport and Marsaxlokk?
Yes, there is a bus between Malta International Airport and Marsaxlokk. It’s Route 119, and it runs once per hour. The journey takes approximately half an hour, and the ticket costs 1,5o euros.
How far is Marsaxlokk from Valletta?
It depends on how you plan to reach it. A taxi (or a car) won’t need more than 20 minutes. For the bus from Valletta, you should calculate approximately 40-45 minutes.
Did any historical events take place in Marsaxlokk?
Actually, yes. There was a moment when the village saw much bigger boats in its bay. On December 2-3, 1989, just a couple of weeks after the Fall of the Berlin Wall, U.S. President George Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev met at Marsaxlokk Bay to discuss terminating the Cold War. The meeting is today known as the Malta Summit.
Is there a natural park nearby?
Yes, there is a natural park at Xrobb l-Għagin, easily accessible from the village.
When it’s better to visit Marsaxlokk?
It’s always a good idea to include Marsaxlokk in your Malta itinerary. It deserves a visit, even for a couple of hours. The best day (even though crowded) is always Sunday when the Fish Market takes place at the waterfront.
Marxaxlokk Travel Guide: Final Thoughts
While the village has a typical Maltese style, the Marsaxlokk port will impress you. If you decide to visit it on a day trip, it will be a great addition to your Malta holiday. However, if you choose to spend a night in Marsaxlokk, you’ll have a unique town for yourself in the evening. The local feeling, the fishermen, and the quiet life of the village will give you an overview of how Malta’s life unfolded centuries ago.
As you will probably observe after visiting it, Marsaxlokk is one of the few settlements in Malta where you won’t see rental apartments. Instead, the village (still) keeps its character and traditional houses intact. So, visit Marsaxlokk and enjoy one of the most original fishing villages in the Mediterranean Sea.
More about Malta: Valletta travel guide, Malta without a car, Mdina guide, Gozo guide
Pin it for later
Sharing is caring. Share this travel guide to Marsaxlokk, Malta, with your friends.
Last Updated on June 12, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos