Marsaxlokk: The City Where Boats Look at You

#hellohalloween In the southeast of Malta, in a quiet bay, lies the fishing town of Marsaxlokk. Here, away from the noise of Valletta and the crowds of tourists, there's only the sea, nets, and dozens of colorful boats—luzzus—with eyes on the bows. They say they protect the fishermen from harm. In the mornings, the port smells of fish, salt, and sun. Fishermen return with their catch and sort it right on the pier. By lunchtime, cafes open along the waterfront, serving octopus, dorado, and wine from local vineyards. 📍 Location: Southeast Malta, 12 km from Valletta. 🕐 When to go: March to November—the sea is vibrant, and the famous fish market is open on Sundays. ⸻ How to get there (current as of 2025) 🚌 By bus: From Valletta, take route #85, which takes about 40 minutes. Buses run every half hour and stop right by the bay. 🚗 By car: From Valletta, take the Triq il-Gudja highway in 25 minutes. Parking is free, but can be crowded on weekends due to the market. 🚕 Taxi: From the capital, it costs about €20. ⸻ What to do: — Walk along the bay and admire the wooden boats with eyes. — Sit in a café overlooking the sea and try fresh seafood. — Visit the Sunday fish market—the most colorful in Malta. — Climb to the Church of Our Lady of Pompei—from there you can see the entire bay.