Marsaskala is a destination for travellers looking to shape their stay around fortified history, bay scenery and nature. Its distinctive features do not all belong to the same category: St Thomas Tower and Torri Mamo represent different builders and architectural forms, while Il-Magħluq reveals the natural side of the area. There is also the promenade around the bay and several bathing spots.
Towers with different stories
St Thomas Tower was built in 1614 as a bastioned watchtower. It is one of six Wignacourt towers built by the Knights Hospitaller. Inside is the Corsair and Piracy Museum, Malta’s first museum dedicated entirely to the complex history of corsair activity and piracy in the Mediterranean. The building and museum offer two historical points of interest: the watchtower from the time of the Knights Hospitaller and the history of corsairs in the Mediterranean. Visitors with a particular interest in heritage will find both brought together here.
Torri Mamo offers a different historical perspective: the Mamo family built it as a fortified family stronghold. Its shape resembles a St Andrew’s cross; the building has at least sixteen sides. St Thomas Bay can still be seen from the roof of Torri Mamo. The two towers therefore differ in their tangible features: St Thomas Tower is notable for its place among the Wignacourt towers and its museum, while Torri Mamo stands out for its family stronghold, its shape and its view of the bay. This makes for a concrete comparison if you want to choose historic buildings not only by their age, but also by their history and form.
Bay, promenade and bathing spots
When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between similarly named places: San Thomas Bay is a sandy beach in Marsaskala, whereas St Thomas Tower is the historic watchtower. The Marsaskala promenade runs around the bay from Zonqor Point to St Thomas Tower. These two named landmarks help with coastal orientation while also distinguishing the promenade from the individual attractions.
Marsaskala Bay has two bathing spots with concrete platforms on Żonqor Street. Bathing facilities may change, so check the current conditions before your visit. Together with the sandy beach at San Thomas Bay, these places offer different coastal features: a sandy beach and bathing spots with concrete platforms. If you are planning a stay by the water, you can consider in advance which type of coastal spot interests you.
Wetland and biodiversity
Il-Magħluq ta’ Marsaskala offers another perspective when choosing a destination. It is one of only two remaining wetlands in the south of Malta and is rich in biodiversity. It is home to a substantial population of Mediterranean killifish, Malta’s national fish; the size of the population may vary. Alongside the bay and the buildings, it provides a wetland with its own distinct ecological character. For travellers interested in nature, this is another feature to consider when deciding what makes Marsaskala a distinctive place to stay.
Which themes suit your stay?
To decide whether Marsaskala is right for your stay, it helps to compare its main attractions: the two towers represent heritage, the promenade and bathing spots offer coastal experiences, and Il-Magħluq is a wetland rich in biodiversity. If one of these themes matters most to you, you can use it to guide your choice of destination; if you are looking for several, Marsaskala offers different perspectives. This is a useful starting point for looking for a hotel, without reducing the decision to a single activity.
The nearest bus stops to St Thomas Tower are Grigal, a two-minute walk away, and Sdieri, a three-minute walk away. Check the stop information before travelling. The walking times are to the tower and help you plan your journey to this specific point of interest.
Discover more destinations: Luqa, Hal Kirkop, Xaghra, Vittoriosa, St. Julians, San Ġwann, Naxxar, Mosta.
For the broader travel overview: Malta.
