Essentials
- City
- Mellieħa, Northern Region, Malta
- Population
- Approximately 11,500
- Internet Speed
- High connectivity with average speeds of 100-250 Mbps via Melita or GO fiber
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (€); 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD, 1 USD ≈ 0.92 EUR
- Tap Water
- Safe for hygiene but generally not recommended for drinking due to high mineral content; most residents use RO systems or bottled water
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets (British standard)
- SIM Card
- Epic, GO, and Melita; 20GB data plans start around €15-€20
- Banking for Expats
- Bank of Valletta (BOV), HSBC Malta, and widely used digital banks like Revolut and Wise
- Accommodation
- Villas, modern apartments, and boutique hotels; prices range from €900 to €2,500/month depending on sea views
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit/debit cards and contactless payments are accepted in almost all establishments
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like QuickLets Mellieħa
- Budget Accommodation
- Splendid Guest House (approx. €45/night) or hostels in nearby St. Paul's Bay
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Għadira Bay area for beach access or the Village Centre for historical atmosphere
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Tas-Sellum for quiet luxury and high-speed infrastructure, or the heights of Mellieħa Heights for modern apartments with views
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None in Mellieħa proper; best nearby is 230 Works in Mosta or SOHO Office Space in St. Julian's (25 mins away)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Debbie's Cafe (62 George Borg Olivier St); great Wi-Fi and artisan coffee
- Networking Events
- Malta Digital Nomad Meetups (usually held in Sliema/St. Julian's, accessible via X1 bus)
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats Malta Facebook Group events and local community gather-ups at Sea View Cafe
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt, Uber, and eCabs (Mellieħa to Airport is roughly €25-€35)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Mellieħa Cycles (George Borg Olivier St); e-scooters are less common here due to steep hills
- Best Beach Nearby
- Għadira Bay (Malta's largest sandy beach) and Paradise Bay
- Top Regional Airline
- KM Malta Airlines (formerly Air Malta)
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair (hub at Luqa), Lufthansa, Emirates
- Highway Access
- Connected via Route 1 (the main artery connecting the North to the South)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; main bus terminus is the Mellieħa Interchange near the Parish Church
- Public Transport Passes
- Tallinja Card (Explorer Card €21 for 7 days unlimited travel)
- Regional Travel
- Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal (5 mins away) for ferries to Gozo and Comino
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Mater Dei Hospital (Msida, 20-30 mins away) or Mellieħa Community Health Clinic
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Mellieha Yoga Lab (Private sessions and seasonal outdoor classes)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Core Fitness Club (Triq l-Għerien) - Day passes approx. €7
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Room on Triq Dun Ġużepp Gonzi
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt and Bolt Food
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fenek (Rabbit Stew) at Bouquet Garni or Pastizzi from any local 'is-subba'
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- One80 Kitchen & Lounge (offers dedicated plant-based menus)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Debbie's Cafe for homemade cakes and Sea View Cafe for gelato with a view
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Valyou Supermarket and Shoppers Discount Supermarket
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.it (best for Malta), Maltashopper, and Scan Malta for electronics
- Grocery Delivery
- Greens Supermarket or Wolt Market
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Village Square area for wine bars; for clubs, head to Paceville (30 mins drive)
- Local Brewery
- Lord Chambray (brewed in Gozo, widely available in Mellieħa bars)
- Wine Bars
- Giuseppi's Bar & Bistro at Salini or Reflections Pub in the village
- Street Food Stalls
- Kiosk stalls at Għadira Bay terrace serving Ftira (Maltese bread)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Amami (Japanese/Asian Fusion) overlooking the bay
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Mellieħa Parish Church and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa
- Museums & Art Venues
- WWII Air Raid Shelters (one of the largest in Malta, located under the church square)
- Historical Sites
- Selmun Palace and the Red Tower (St. Agatha's Tower)
- Religious Sites
- The Grotto of the Madonna (opposite the sanctuary)
- Annual Events
- The Mellieħa Village Feast (September 8th)
- Cultural Districts
- The Old Village Centre
- Theater Venues
- Teatru Manoel (in Valletta, 40 mins away by car)
- Local Markets
- Tuesday morning market in the town center for fresh produce
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sessions at local bars like The Thistle
- Street Art
- Limited; mostly found in the backstreets of Sliema or Marsa
- Cooking Classes
- Mediterranean Cooking Classes available at Diar il-Bniet (Nearby Dingli)
- Art Galleries
- Local exhibitions often held at the Mellieħa Local Council hall
- Historic Buildings
- St. Agatha’s Tower (The Red Tower)
- Local Heritage
- Agricultural heritage seen in the terraced fields surrounding the village
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Il-Majiistral Nature and History Park
- National Parks Nearby
- Ta' Qali National Park (15 mins away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Marfa Ridge walk offering panoramic views of Comino and Gozo
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The 'It-Tad-Dahar' cliffs for sunset
- Birdwatching Locations
- Għadira Nature Reserve (managed by BirdLife Malta)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly regulated; permits required for beaches like Armier Bay
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- MaltaPost (Mellieħa branch on Triq l-Inkurunazzjoni)
- Tech Repair Services
- Forestals or Matrix (nearby in St. Paul’s Bay)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Mellieħa Sports Club
- Language Classes
- Maltese language courses at the local council or University of Malta (Msida)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Mellieħa Public Library (Triq il-Kbira)
- Community Centers
- Mellieħa Local Council community hall
- Gaming Lounges
- None in town; check 'The Gamers Lounge' in Birkirkara
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Oracle Casino (Punta del-Qawra, 10 mins drive)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €5,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €208,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €164,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €288,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €228,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €360,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €280,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 35% (effectively 5% for non-residents after refunds)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Remittance-basis for non-domiciled residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 18% (Standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, EU-aligned ATAD rules apply
- Property Tax
- No annual property tax; tax is paid only on acquisition and sale
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Stamp Duty on purchase
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Nomad Residence Permit offers 10% flat tax on income from authorized remote work