We take you to a small fishing village where time stands still. Here’s Marsaxlokk – the most charming point on the map of Malta. Here the idea of ​​slow life takes on a completely new meaning. Is this due to the ubiquitous relaxed attitude of its residents? Or maybe rather colorful boats?
See the best attractions in Malta! It’s warm here even in winter.
Luzzu – what is it?
Before we start our tour de Marsaxlokk, we would like to tell you a little about the famous boats in Malta. They are called luzzu. Most often, you can find them in three colors: blue, yellow and red (although green and white also appear in our photos). There are a pair of eyes on their beaks (seen in the photo below). They were supposed to bring good luck and ensure the safety of passengers. Modern boats are equipped with engines and even cabins, while in the past they were equipped with oars and masts. In the past, luzzu were used as small transport ships, today they are mainly used for fishing or as a tourist attraction.
Marsaxlokk Malta – photos
We visited Malta in winter (which is easy to guess by looking at our clothes). The weather on the island in January was not very kind to us, but on that day it was quite sunny. Perfectly. The warm wind blew our hair, making us feel a bit of a holiday atmosphere. In turn, the rays of the shining sun made the water in the port almost blue, and the colors of the luzzu boats even more bright and intense. That’s look like a fairy tale!
Walking along the port, we felt the characteristic smell of fish and seafood. No wonder, since Marsaxlokk is a fishing village. A moment later we came across one of the most interesting (and maybe even one of our favorite) views in Malta. These were fishermen who weaved and cleaned their nets themselves using their hands, bare feet and even… their mouths. And most importantly: they weren’t in any hurry. What’s more, the men eagerly posed for tourists’ photos and videos. They also introduced those interested to the secrets of weaving.
What sculpture could not be missing in a port of Marsaxlokk, full of colorful boats? Of course, the fisherman’s monument. It depicts a man returning from a successful catch (or at least that’s what we assume after two baskets filled to the brim). Two small children accompanied by a cat and a dog are looking for him. The boy symbolically holds a boat under his arm – very similar to one of those moored in the port.
After the season, there are few tourists in Malta. This makes the village of Marsaxlokk seem even lazier, and we definitely can’t complain about the crowds. The port’s pubs and cafes are almost empty. We sit in one of them with a glass of wine to contemplate the view of boats carelessly waving on the water. Slow life affects us too. But we probably won’t catch up with the “indigenous people” in this regard. Just look at this old man looking around, standing on the balcony of one of the many old, charming tenement houses that dot Marsaxlokk. A real idyll!
Marsaxlokk Malta – tickets
You can visit the port of Marsaxlokk absolutely free – as well as the entire village.
Marsaxlokk Malta – how to get?
The village of Marsaxlokk is located on the southeast coast of Malta. The exact location of the place we visited can be found at the end of the post.
- Hop on – hop off bus. We reached the attraction by hop on – hop off bus with City Sightseeing. We definitely recommend this means of transport.
- Bus (public transport). Public transport works very well in Malta. Buses run frequently and reach all the most popular tourist attractions. The following bus stops are closest to the port: Alka, Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk. A little further you will have: Kavallerizza, Truncier, Truncieri, Rikka, Arznell, Xerriex.
- Car. You can easily get to Marsaxlokk by car or taxi, which are relatively cheap on the island.
Marsaxlokk Malta – opening hours
The port of Marsaxlokk is open 24 hours a day, so you can see colorful boats at any time of the day.
Marsaxlokk Malta – sightseeing time
- Set aside at least an hour for a leisurely walk in Marsaxlokk harbour.
- We recommend adding an extra hour for a quiet coffee or meal and contemplating the charming view.
- If you want to visit the other attractions of the most famous fishing village in Malta, you need to spend an additional 2-3 hours. Especially if there is a market on that day.
Marsaxlokk Malta – interesting facts and tips
- The name of the fishing village of Marsaxlokk is a combination of the Arabic words “marsa” (south) and “xlokk” (east).
- Luzzu are considered a symbol of Malta. You can find them on many souvenirs (magnets, postcards, mugs) all over the country. That’s why it’s so important to see them live.
- On October 30, 1948, a tragic accident involving a luzzu occurred near the island of Gozo. Too many passengers were involved in the transport, as a result of which the overloaded boat capsized. 23 people died.
- History fans will certainly remember the US-Soviet summit in Malta in 1989. Meeting of USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev and US President George H.W. Bush took place aboard a Soviet ship anchored off the coast of Marsaxlokk. Therefore, it can be said that this small fishing village was an eyewitness to the end of the Cold War.
Marsaxlokk Malta – opinions / reviews
- Patrix – 9/10. Very nice place. It looked exactly as cute as the photos I had seen online earlier.
- Wiolczix – 10/10. Marsaxlokk is my favorite point on the map of Malta (and anyone who has been there knows that the entire island is really charming). In the most famous fishing village you can really calm down and relax. I’m not the most melancholic person, but I could stare at these colorful boats, calmly waving on the water, for hours. It’s beautiful, sunny and cheerful here. The photo of Marsaxlokk harbor even became my phone wallpaper.
Marsaxlokk Malta – frequently asked questions
Is it worth going to Marsaxlokk?
It’s definitely worth going to Marsaxlokk. In our opinion, you should definitely put this village on your list of attractions to visit in Malta. We suspect that nowhere else on the island will you see so many luzzu boats, a symbol of the country. There is an extremely calm atmosphere in Marsaxlokk, and the little ships waving on the water – together with the working fishermen – create a unique atmosphere. But the port is not the only place you must see. A very popular tourist attraction here is the Parish Church of Our Lady of Pompeii. It is worth visiting more religious building (Church of Our Lady of the Snows – Madonna tas-Silg, St. Peter’ Church – Dominican Martyr, Saint Paul’s Tower and Chapel), forts (Delimara, San Lucian), lighthouses (Delimara Lighthouse) and the famous fish market.
When is the market in Marsaxlokk?
The market in the village of Marsaxlokk takes place every Sunday. It’s best to get there early in the morning – to buy the best goods and get ahead of the wave of tourists. Out of habit, the market is sometimes called a fish market, but in addition to fresh “treasures of the sea”, you can also buy vegetables, fruits, sweets, cheese, honey, handicrafts, and even clothes and handbags.
How to pronounce Marsaxlokk?
The correct pronunciation of the name of the village Marsaxlokk is: “marsaszlok”. For us, Europeans, the Maltese alphabet seems complicated and not very intuitive. Malti comes from the group of Semitic languages ​​and contains loanwords from English, Arabic and Italian.
What is Marsaxlokk famous for?
Marsaxlokk, despite its relatively small area, is famous for many attractions. The most important of them is the fishing port with moored luzzu boats. The village is also known for its Sunday market, where you can buy fresh fish and seafood (as well as plenty of other products, not only food). Other tourist attractions include: the Parish Church of Our Lady of Pompeii, Church of Our Lady of the Snows – Madonna tas-Silg, Saint Paul’s Tower and Chapel, St. Peter’ Church – Dominican Martyr, Fort Delimara, Fort San Lucian, Fort Tas-SilÄ¡, WilÄ¡a Battery, Wolseley Battery, Vendôme Tower, Delimara Lighthouse, Xrobb l-GħaÄ¡in Temple, remains of the temple of Villa Agius Catania.
Marsaxlokk Malta – map
Marsaxlokk is one of the most visited tourist village in Malta.
