Throughout our guests’ stay at Mulberries, we seek to create a truly immersive experience for an authentic taste of the local.
We love to share our knowledge of Maltese history, recommend the best spots for bathing and sampling the freshest fare, and connect you with the community so that you feel at home. Our team is always readily available to highlight unmissable experiences and splendid places to visit both near and farther away.
Nestled in the rural agricultural locality of Żabbar, our property is the ideal gateway to historical, cultural, and natural wonders dotting Malta’s southern region.
Make Mulberries your starting point for enriching holiday experiences within easy reach. Embark on village discovery and witness Mediterranean life as you partake in festa celebrations, taste divine delicacies, trek the scenic coastline, tour historical landmarks, and so much more.
From Mulberries, you can easily get to Żabbar’s historical centre on foot in around 15 minutes. One of Malta’s oldest residential localities, the southeastern neighbourhood was once a village and only received city status – Città Hompesch – towards the end of the 18th century.
Steeped in history and boasting a striking architectural heritage, the village core certainly merits attention. As you leave the quaint St James Square to wander around the local landmarks, the 17th-century sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Grace, the patron saint of Żabbar, is well worth a visit.
And if you enjoy all the merriment, this parish will treat you to not one, but two religious feasts. The annual festa, held on the first Sunday after the 8th of September and famous for its motorbike and bicycle pilgrimage, is followed a fortnight later by the celebration of St Michael the Archangel.
Żabbar’s Sanctuary Museum is an eclectic treasure trove for the historically inclined. Among its most prized possessions are a painting by celebrated art master Mattia Preti, cannon balls from Malta’s two-year French period at the close of the 18th century, and items salvaged from the wreckage of World War II aircraft and a 1975 plane explosion.
Before you venture beyond the charms of your host town, make sure to catch a glimpse of the statues and monuments adorning Sanctuary Street, as well as the grand Hompesch Gate marking the entrance to the city.
Should you choose to continue your walk past Żabbar for another 20 minutes, the route leads you right up to some majestic fortifications. These bold Knights-era bastions encircle the magnificent Birgu, Bormla, and Isla, collectively called the Three Cities.
Also known as Vittoriosa, Cospicua, and Senglea respectively, these maritime haunts sheltered many a sea vessel since Phoenician days and served as the Knights Order’s first place of residence on the island.
As you meander through the narrow, winding streets, you will remain in awe of the sheer architectural feat that the Three Cities embody. If only their history-imbued walls could talk, they would tell a story… or three.
Come evening, head down to Birgu’s waterfront, famous for its relaxed outdoor dining ambience and spectacular backdrops from every angle. If you’re after a more intimate affair, reserve a table at one of the superb wine bars and restaurants tucked away in the historical centre. These romantic haunts are a real foodie’s paradise, and they never disappoint.
Lying in close proximity to Mulberries are two extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage sites dating back thousands of years. The tremendous Tarxien Temples and the spellbinding Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum are a must for archaeology experts and history enthusiasts alike.
The first is a series of Neolithic structures that make up the biggest Maltese prehistoric site; the second a three-level burial complex carved into the underground rock, spanning 500 metres.
Unearthed in 1902 in the town of Paola, the Hypogeum dates back 6,000 years and is considered among the most pristinely preserved prehistoric sites worldwide. It houses priceless archaeological finds that include the iconic reclining figure of the goddess of fertility.
In an effort to conserve the space as effectively as possible, daily access to the Hypogeum is limited to 80 visitors, so make sure to book well in advance.
Public transport is within easy reach of our château, allowing you to explore the beaches, bays, and centuries-old watch towers around the Marsascala, Birżebbuġa, Delimara, and Marsaxlokk coastline.
Soak up the slow-paced village life as you walk along sunny promenades, breathe in the salty sea air, haggle like a local at the open market, and delight in the daily catch right off the shore. If you’re exploring your lunch options, you can’t beat the fresh fish and seafood served out on Marsaxlokk’s waterfront. And as you indulge in mouthwatering dishes, be sure to leave enough space for an evening’s wining and dining in Marsascala, renowned for its incredibly varied restaurant scene.
The most breathtaking diving and snorkelling spots in the south of Malta include the lagoon-blue waters at Kalanka Bay in Marsaxlokk, St Peter’s Pool at Delimara Point, and St Thomas Bay in Marsascala, where you will also find two scuttled tugboats at Żonqor Point.
The golden sands of Pretty Bay and St George’s Bay in Birżebbuġa make for ultimate relaxation, sun-kissed sunbathing, and fun beach days with the family.
If you want to make your way beyond the region’s immediate vicinities, the easterly capital city and UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Valletta is only a car or ferry ride away. Your journey by sea departs the Three Cities every half hour on the dot, reaching the Grand Harbour across shore in under ten minutes.
From a rich architecture and history, to world-class hospitality and gastronomy, to exquisite haute couture and a celebrated cultural calendar, prepare to be awestruck on all counts while roaming the streets of our treasured capital.
A direct ferry service from Valletta takes you to gorgeous Gozo, or Għawdex in Maltese. This most convenient way to escape to the verdant sister island will spare you the long drive up to Ċirkewwa Harbour and help you beat the endless ferry queues.
Come evening, after your day’s excursion, hop on yet another ferry across to cosmopolitan Sliema and St Julian’s. Get ready to whet your appetite for sheer gastronomic delights and revel in the vibrant nightlife here in Malta’s renowned entertainment hub.
From the heart of the Maltese capital, public buses will connect you to hidden gems and favourite haunts in pretty much every other locality you fancy visiting.
To the west, the sirens of Wied iż-Żurrieq’s Blue Grotto beckon a boat ride away. Along the scintillating limestone coastline, dizzying Dingli Cliffs views and the timeless beauty of the Ħaġar Qim megalithic temples lie ready to take your breath away.
Further north lie the ethereal Medieval “silent city” of Mdina and the township of Rabat, with its fascinating early-Christian catacombs. Visiting both during any time of day and year is an absolute pleasure, and a must.
The west-lying old Maltese capital of Mdina ranks among Europe’s finest walled city examples, brilliantly blending magnificent Medieval and Baroque architecture along its cobbled streets. Right outside its ramparts, impeccably preserved ancient ruins haunt the history-laden streets of Rabat, paying testimony to the island’s Roman legacy.
Closer to the island’s northern tip, the pristine pretty bays of Għajn Tuffieħa and Ġnejna unfold around the clay-dominated coastline. Neighbouring them is the tourist hotspot of Golden Bay with its award-winning azure waters and honey-coloured sands.
Atop the cliffside, Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park commands jaw-dropping views of the lush Gozitan landscape across the archipelago’s channel.
Follow your adventurer’s spirit further afield and see how far it will take you. In this sunny corner of the Mediterranean, the Maltese Islands are your oyster.
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