March 2021 - The Phoenicia Malta

The Maltese Village Feast Experience

Pandemics aside, Malta offers a lot to travellers looking to experience quintessential Mediterranean culture.

Tourists are often attracted to the island due to its long tradition of holding extravagant religious village feasts (festa), a great way to interact with the locals while on holiday in Malta.

Held at least once every year, these feats celebrate Maltese patron saints. To learn more about the Maltese Village Feast Experience, keep reading!

What To Expect In The Maltese Village Feast Experience

This Maltese event is a celebration like no other. Get ready to see a lot of Maltese traditions and customs, paired with loud music and great firework displays! These feasts are usually held in the summer months, between May to September, and fall perfectly in line with most people’s travel plans.

What Happens During The Maltese Village Feast?

Before the event

Before the actual feast, there will still be a lot happening. Approximately 5 days before the event, the first band march around the village occurs. The big march happens a night or two before the event.

During the event

Marches are a large part of the Maltese Village Feast. On the morning of the event, attendees can expect to see a march in the morning. The village is decorated with lights, confetti, balloons, and streamers too.

In the evening, the patron saint’s statue is carried out of the church and then back inside while people in the crowd cheer. This is the highlight of the whole event. In fact, it’s so popular that the locals bid for the chance to get to hold up the statue.

If you get hungry throughout the day, there’s no need to worry! The streets of the village are usually lined up with food stalls, serving a range of traditional snacks such as deep-fried date cakes.

The whole event ends with a remarkable display of fireworks. These fireworks light up the whole sky with dazzling displays of colour. All local households pitch in a little to go towards the firework display.

An Unforgettable Experience

One of the lesser-known festivities of the world, this Maltese feast is the essence of the Mediterranean. With colourful decorations, loud music, marching bands, and a lot of food and drinks, attendees are bound to have a great time.

We look forward to welcoming you on your holiday to Malta after the pandemic is over.

5 Things to do in Malta

Although it’s a small island, Malta and it’s sister island Gozo, have many activities for you and your loved ones to enjoy. From visiting one of the many historic buildings, to the scenic beaches which adorn the coastline, you won’t be disappointed while on holiday in Malta.

Below, we have put together five things for you to do while visiting Malta.

1. Spend a day in Valletta

Valletta, the capital of Malta, is a World Heritage city well known for its incredible churches, palaces and museums. Enjoy the day visiting the new Parliament building, upper and lower Barrakka Gardens, limestone streets, the National Museum of Archeology, and the National War Museum at Fort St Elmo. Stairt street is the most thriving street in Valletta, with restaurants serving the best Italian food and local cuisine.

2. Day Trip to Gozo Island

Visiting Gozo Island is a holiday to remember with its spectacular scenery, gorgeous beaches, and fascinating historical sites. Marsalforn, the main resort town, has excellent outdoor cafes and restaurants. The crystal-clear waters are ideal for snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving. Ir-Ramla il-Hamra (Ramla Bay) is the largest sandy beach on Gozo Island. It’s a relaxing place to spend a day.

3. Popeye Village

This is a fun place to visit while on holiday in Malta. It was purposely built as a film set for a musical production of Popeye in 1980. Popeye Village has since become a family favorite entertainment park. The picture-perfect village has swimming and playing areas, boat rides, shows, restaurants, and much more.

4. Day Trip to Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s not-so-hidden gems. It is a must-visit location known for its crystal-clear blue waters and jagged cliffs. There are so many tours and boats available to take you on a trip around the island. There are food trucks that serve simple food, beer, soda, wine, and ice cream.

5. Visit the Best Beaches in Malta

Beaches are the best places to visit in Malta, as the Island is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by beaches. The top beaches to visit in Malta include Ghajn Tuffieha, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, and Paradise Bay.

Base yourself at The Phoenicia Malta, perfectly situated just outside the capital city of Valletta, and take advantage of our Offers & Packages.

5 Amazing Winter Walks to Try in Malta

From a walled city to wild cliffs, Malta is a stunning place to explore on foot. A holiday in Malta while walking along the coast is a must-do for visitors and locals alike. Here are some great walking places on this beautiful island with views like dramatic cliffs plunging into waves and lush valleys.

1. Sliema Seafront

Sliema, located on the northeast coast of Malta, is a major residential and commercial area. It’s a centre for shopping, dining, bars, and cafés with comfortable walking and pretty views. Promenades along the coastline known as Sliema Front have become an ideal spot for walkers during the winter season.

2. Chadwick Lakes

The Chadwick lakes are artificial freshwater lakes between Mtarfa and Rabat on the western side. It provides stunning backdrops for hikes and picnics, and freshwater presents a perfect day for trekking and walking. The curved walking path is almost 8 kilometres in length. It offers a beautiful meditative walk when watercress and willow are in full bloom. This place is best to visit in winter.

3. Dingli Cliffs

The Dingli Cliffs are the highest point on the Island of Malta. The area gives a feeling of standing on the edge of the world. The cliffs fall sharply to the sea below at up to 250m elevation in some areas. The steep, golden cliffs along the west coast offer some of the best walks with stunning sea views.

4. Buskett

Buskett Gardens is Malta’s only woodland, and it’s the right place for a winter walk in the countryside while on holiday in Malta. It is a quite preferable place to walk in winters when the climate isn’t too hot and everything around is lush and green instead of scalded brown by the summer sun. Buskett on a quiet day is one of the beautifully serene areas in the country.

5. Bugibba

Bugibba is a village in North of Malta and is a popular tourist destination. Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay are located within walking distance from Bugibba. A boat trip from St. Paul’s Bay takes tourists to Gozo and Comino, some of the most sought-after places to visit in Malta. A walk from Bugibba to St. Paul’s Bay is great for body and soul in winter.

Base yourself at The Phoenicia Malta, situated on the doorstep to Valletta, making it a well connected location to the rest of the island. Take a look at our Offers & Packages for the perfect holiday break.