This farming village in northwest Malta has ancient cart ruts, megalithic temples, and Roman catacombs. Local restaurants serve rabbit dishes and Maltese wine.
Mġarr, a village in northern Malta, has active farms and vineyards surrounding its streets. You can explore prehistoric temples like Ta' Skorba, swim at the sandy Għajn Tuffieħa beach, or hike along Mediterranean cliffs to reach the secluded Fomm ir-Riħ bay. In the village center, the parish church's massive oval dome dominates the skyline – a structure funded in the 1900s when local farmers sold hundreds of thousands of eggs to support its construction.
Beaches and Swimming Spots
Three distinct beaches line Mġarr's coast. At Għajn Tuffieħa, you can swim in clear waters or rent equipment for snorkeling and paddleboarding. Families often gather at Ġnejna Bay, where colorful boathouses line the sand, providing shade and shelter during summer visits. To reach Fomm ir-Riħ, walk down a steep path to find an isolated shore beneath limestone cliffs, with deep blue waters ideal for experienced swimmers.
Local Food and Agriculture
The restaurants near the parish church serve Maltese specialties like fenkata (rabbit stew cooked in wine) and bebbux (snails simmered with garlic and herbs). Many of Mġarr's 4,840 residents work in the surrounding fields and vineyards. You can taste local wines made from indigenous grape varieties grown in the area's limestone-rich soil.
The Parish Church
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Church sits on a hill in the village center. In the early 1900s, local farmers sold over 300,000 eggs, along with poultry and livestock, to fund its construction. Its oval dome ranks among the largest of its kind worldwide. Small limestone houses line the narrow streets around the church.
Ancient Temples
Two Neolithic temples survive in Mġarr from Malta's earliest civilization. Ta' Ħaġrat temple, near the town center, has a central courtyard with two temple structures built in a trefoil shape. At Ta' Skorba temple, archaeologists found evidence of Malta's first farming communities, dating back to the Għar Dalam phase (5000 BCE).
Getting Around and Walking Routes
Buses 23 and 120 connect Mġarr to other parts of Malta. For hiking, follow the coastal path from Fomm ir-Riħ to Ġnejna Bay, which runs along cliff edges with views across the Mediterranean. The mild temperatures and green countryside make winter the best season for walking these routes.
