Wondering if Birzebbuga deserves a spot on your Malta itinerary? Well, you’ve come to the right place.

First off, it’s pronounced beer-ze-boo-dza (sort of). And it means ‘well of olives’.

Here’s what else you need to know about Birzebbuga Malta, including where it is, what it offers, and whether it’s worth visiting.

Where is Birzebbuga?

Birzebbuga is a seaside town in the south of Malta, around 13 kilometres away from the Valletta.

It’s located right next to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, which is a popular tourist destination, known for its colourful boats and weekly fish market. In fact, you can say that Birzebbuga is often overshadowed by its neighbour.

But, as you shall see, this unassuming town has a lot to offer.

So, what’s in Birzebbuga?

Birzebbuga is a popular beach destination among locals, and some even have summer houses here.

The town is home to one of the few sandy beaches in the south of Malta. Pretty Bay is a lovely little swimming spot, surrounded by a park, restaurants, and cafes.

If you’re not a fan of sand, there’s a stretch of coastline with flat ground and easy access into the sea. There are also man-made salt pans in this area.

The bay overlooks the Malta Freeport, which may be considered a sore sight by some. But the water here is usually very clean and clear, especially in the cooler months.

Don’t worry – if you’re visiting Malta in October, the weather is still warm enough for a swim. And if you’re travelling to Malta in May, it’s not too early to hit the beach.

At the heart of Birzebbuga, you’ll find the parish church. It was built in the early 1900s and was originally dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.

It was later expanded to accommodate the growing population, and St. Peter in Chains became the town’s new patron saint.

While Birzebbuga may seem like a fairly modern town, it’s actually home to some of the oldest prehistoric sites in Malta. These include Ghar Dalam and Borg in-Nadur.

What are the best things to do in Birzebbuga?

Okay, let’s look at the main things to do in Birzebbuga Malta.

Ideally, you’ll want to visit on a sunny day to enjoy the beach. But don’t worry if the weather’s bad – you can still see the main highlights.

Walk from Pretty Bay to Qajjenza

The Birzebbuga promenade is lined with traditional summer houses and beautiful old buildings.

Start your walk from Pretty Bay and head northwards (away from the Freeport). The first interesting site you’ll come across is the End of Cold War Memorial.

You may not know this, but in December 1989, George Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev had a meeting on a Soviet ship docked in Birzebbuga Bay. Referred to as the Malta Summit, this meeting marked the end of the Cold War.

As you walk past the memorial, you’ll approach St. George’s Bay, with little boats bobbing on the water.

On the other end of the bay, you’ll see a semi‐circular redoubt. It was built in 1714–1716 by the Order of Saint John to stop enemy landings in the bay. There’s also a chapel dedicated to St. George.

From here, keep walking towards Qajjenza. This is a lovely little neighbourhood overlooking the bay.

There’s a small sandy beach, and you can walk on a car-free street along the sea.

Now, you can either walk back to Pretty Bay, or head to Ghar Dalam, which is a 10-minute walk from Qajjenza.

Explore Ghar Dalam

Ghar Dalam is the oldest archaeological site in Malta. Thousands of animal bones were found here, some of them being at least 500,000 years old.

Additionally, the cave contains the earliest evidence of human presence in Malta, dating back some 7,400 years.

The museum houses the remains of extinct animals, including the pygmy elephant and giant swan.

The cave itself is some 144 metres deep, but only the first 50 metres are accessible. You can walk into the cave to learn more about the excavation work and the remains that were found here.

Visit Borg in-Nadur

Located just 500 metres away from Ghar Dalam, Borg in-Nadur is a prehistoric site that dates back to 3,000 BC.

It was was erected as a temple during the Neolithic Period, and later became a Bronze Age village with fortified walls.

There are other historical sites in the area, including the Roman villa of Ta’ Kaċċatura.

Important: You’ll need to purchase tickets for Borg in-Nadur from Ghar Dalam. No tickets are sold at the temples.

Find the hidden chapels

Like most towns in Malta, Birzebbuga has a few little chapels that are tucked away from the main streets.

First, there’s the Holy Family Chapel, located right next to the parish church. It was built in the mid 19th century. Next to it, you’ll find a charity shop that sells vintage items and bric-a-brac.

There’s also St. George’s Chapel (mentioned earlier), which dates back to the 1500s. A redoubt was built around it in the 1700s.

When you’re in Qajjenza Bay, look for two well-hidden chapels in the same alley.

On your left, there’s the Chapel of St. Joseph, which was built in 1871 and bears Gothic features. It’s located within a private garden.

On your right, you’ll see the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians. It was built in 1833 adjacent to a private residence.

Unfortunately, these two chapels are not open to the public.

Have lunch by the sea

After seeing the main sites in Birzebbuga, you’ll likely want to sit down by the sea and have some lunch.

There are several restaurants along Pretty Bay, some of them serving fresh seafood and local dishes.

Chiaro is a good spot. If you want a light snack, try the fried calamari.

And if you just fancy a coffee, head to Coffee Circus. They make some lovely brews here, and the place is very warm and welcoming.

Recommended Malta tours

You don’t need to join a tour to explore Birzebbuga. The town is easy to navigate, although you may need some help getting to Borg in-Nadur and Ghar Dalam, as they’re both well-hidden.

In general, Maltese people are very friendly so don’t hesitate to ask for directions.

If you want to explore the south of Malta, you may want to look into joining a tour.