There are lots of pretty villages in the south and southwest of Malta, each with their own quirks. Mqabba, which is one of the smallest, is famed for its festa (annual village feast) while Zurrieq features historic treasures dating back to the Bronze Age and Punic times, right through to the British eras.

The largest and best known town in the region is Marsaxlokk, which is built around a lovely stretch of coastal promenades. The main highlights here are the market and the restaurants, most of which specialise in fresh fish and seafood and offer some of the best dishes of this kind locally. The weekly Sunday market provides a faithful depiction of island life – from loud fish-mongers to haggling villagers!

Other nearby villages worthy of a visit include Qrendi, Kalkara, Safi, Xghajra and Birzebbugia.

One of the best ways to see this part of the island is from the sea. Boat rides operate from the Blue Grotto in scenic Wied iz-Zurrieq all year round (weather permitting), from 9am to 5pm, and will take you to see the surrounding caves – including the well-known Reflections Cave and Window Cave. Look out for the colourful coral that sits below the surface of the water; on calm days they make for the perfect photo op.

Alternatively, dive right into the south’s inviting waters with a snorkelling set for an underwater experience. There’s Ghar Lapsi with its gorgeous blue-green waters and St Peter’s Pool on the tip of Marsaxlokk near Delimara Point. Most of the beaches around here are rocky, although Birzebbugia is also home to a man-made sandy beach known as Pretty Bay.

The south is home to four prehistoric sites within a very compact area. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples in the town of Qrendi, which date back to between 3600-3200BC; both of which are known to be among the oldest stone structures in the world. Nearby, Ghar Dalam is famed as Malta’s oldest prehistoric site, and the lowermost layers of this cave date back over 500,000 years. There’s also the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a complex made up of interconnecting rock-cut burial chambers dating back to 4,000BC. 

The south has preserved its authenticity and remains true to tradition, so dining and drinking in the area promises a truly local experience. Walk around the village squares for a taster of the various cafés, bars and restaurants available. If you’re after fish, it’s an easy choice – Marsaxlokk’s promenade is lined with top fish-specialty restaurants.

Long walks are one of the highlights here as both the countryside and coast stretch out ahead of you. There are numerous trails to follow, but I recommend starting at the Blue Grotto and following the coast around to Birzebbugia, where you can stop for lunch at one of the many seaside bars or restaurants. Another popular route is known as the Windmills Walk. This circular walk starts in the Zurrieq town centre and leads you through Safi and the surrounding countryside, taking you via some of Malta’s prettiest windmills along the way. 

Every parish in Malta celebrates its patron saint with a festa – a vibrant occasion with all sorts of revelries to enjoy, including band marches, street food, live music and stunning fireworks displays, while the whole village is decorated to the nines. Several festi take place in the south throughout summer, including Our Lady of the Lily in Mqabba, Our Lady of Lourdes in Qrendi, St Joseph in Kalkara and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Zurrieq.