Qawra and the Maltese Archipelago

Qawra is a leading resort on the north east coast of the beautiful island of Malta. Due to its location mid-way between Valletta and the ferry port for Gozo, it is the ideal gateway to all that the Maltese archipelago can offer.

To the west, the Qawra peninsula overlooks the deep ultramarine blue of historic St.Paul's Bay. This beautiful curvaceous bay is dominated by St.Paul's Islands, where according to the Acts of the Apostles, St.Paul was shipwrecked but found sanctuary among the local people. Today a great statue marks the spot of his arrival, which changed the destiny of the Maltese islands for ever through the introduction of Christianity.

The famous Qawra Tower stands guard on the headland of the Qawra peninsula. This Lascaris Tower is a grand defensive fortification built by the Knights of Malta in 1637 to defend the north east coat of the island against the marauding Ottoman Empire. Today it is a restaurant.

To the east, Salina Bay is a picturesque inlet with numerous salt pans and the arid, barren headland beyond on which the Ghallis Tower stands. There are thirteen of these "de Redin towers", constructed under Grand Master de Redin, that straddle the coastline of Malta from Gozo to the Grand Harbour of Valletta to beyond. In early modern times they were an ideal communications and emergency warning system to guard against invaders and coastal pirates.

Qawra resort itself is an urbanised, but not overbuilt, tourist hub which offers a range of hotels, restaurants and ice cream parlours overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The area is anglicised with nearly all signs in English rather than Malti. Combined with the Maltese rule of driving on the left and the red pillar and telephone boxes that dot the island, the legacy of the British protectorate is apparent. The ubiquitous English Premier League and large British expatriate community in the area add to this impression.

Qawra has excellent transport connections with the rest of Malta via the yellow bus system. The bus station at Bugibba is a short walk away and direct transport connections exist with Valletta (bus #49, #50), Mdina (bus #86) and to Cirkewwa for the ferry to Gozo (#48). A complete timetable can be found here.

Qawra, in short, is an ideal base to explore the Maltese archipelago and its three spectacular islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino.

Qawra and Bugibba are an ideal base to explore the Maltese archipelago. The vintage yellow buses that run from Bugibba central bus terminal to Valletta are cheap, reliable and deposit the tourist at a manic traffic roundabout just outside the grand city gate.

Valletta is the majestic capital of Malta, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the cockpit of centuries of conflict between the Knights of St. John and the Ottoman Empire. The Knights were a pan-European military order who built St.Elmo's Castle on the cliffs of a deserted peninsula. After the relief of the siege of Malta, it was decided to defend the harbour for ever by constructing a new city high on the barren slopes of Mount Sciberras, with a commanding view of the Three Cities and the Maltese harbours. Grand Master Jean de la Vallette, the hero of the Siege, laid the foundation stone on 28 March 1566 and the city was named in his honour.

Valletta was constructed on a radical modern grid pattern and is a beautiful and architecturally stunning tourist destination. The Co-Cathedral of St.John is a magnificent baroque extravaganza with perhaps Caravaggio's greatest work - the Beheading of St. John the Baptist - on display. History is everywhere in Valletta and the Grand Master's Palace features stately painted ceilings and an armoury of halberds, pikes and flintlock muskets. This was one of the most massive collections of armour in Europe before Napoleon looted it - and even today it contains over 5,000 items.

Perhaps the highlight of any trip to Valletta is the Old Barrakka Gardens, which have dramatic and elevated views over the harbour. A cannon salute from the battery takes place at 12 noon daily, a legacy of the former Royal Navy presence in this strategically essential island. The walk along the city walls down to the Doric Temple in the Lower Barrakka Gardens, reveals more spectacular views. Many visitors also enjoy the audio-visual "Malta Experience" near St.Elmo's Fort, which is itself open to the public on weekends.

Visitors can take the opportunity to traverse the streets of Valletta in a Maltese horse and carriage, though prior negotiation over the price is always advisable! There are several high quality restaurants and dinner in the squares is a delight. Valletta also boasts a wide range of shopping opportunities including several British High Street chains such as Marks and Spencer.

The Qawra peninsula is ideally placed (via the #48 bus) for journeys to the Gozo Channel Ferries terminus at Cirkewwa. Gozo is a rural Arcadia with stunning natural features such as the Azure Window and Inland Sea. The charming and relaxed pace of life of its largest town, Victoria (also known as Rabat) is the perfect antidote to the high density development and resort ambience of Bugibba and St. Paul's Bay. If even more relaxation is sought, the Blue Lagoon in neighbouring Comino is one of the most beautiful spots on the entire archipelago. It is hard to believe that the secluded island of Comino, a paradise with only eight permanent residents, is only a few miles from the bustling resort of Qawra.

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