Għaxaq - Exploring Malta

Għaxaq is a village in the southeastern part of Malta. It is neighboring the town of Żejtun and it is a few kilometers inland from the coast. The village has a population of around 4.800 inhabitants and it is famous for its two religious band clubs.

Our blog posts about Għaxaq:

Marsaskala, Malta – A Hike to Żejtun and Għaxaq

The History of Għaxaq

Għaxaq became an independent parish in 1626. Prior to that, it was a part of nearby Żejtun. However, its first chapel dates back to 1511. The first stone of the current parish church was laid in 1733. Religious feasts and celebrations have for centuries been important for the small village. Two important parts of these are the two local band clubs, the Saint Mary Band Club Ħal Għaxaq and the Saint Joseph Band Club. They were both established in the 19th century and are social and musical religious societies with a respective patron saint.

Sights in Għaxaq

The streets in Għaxaq are narrow and they come with at least a few of the traditional balconies, gallarijas. It is a lot calmer than some of the nearby towns and might in that way be considered easier to explore.

Dar tal-Bebbux

Dar tal-Bebbux is a house that might be one of the more interesting buildings in Għaxaq. The house dates back to the 19th century and one of the former owners had an interesting idea. Indei Dimech started to decorate the facade of the building with seashells in 1898. It is today a protected building by the Maltese Planning Authority.

Għaxaq Semaphore Tower

A semaphore tower is a kind of optical telegraph used to send visual messages. The tower in Għaxaq was built in 1848 and is one of three similar towers that was built in Malta by the British.

Saint Mary’s Parish Church

Saint Mary’s Parish Church is a baroque roman catholic church that stands at the center of religious life in Għaxaq. Construction of the church began in 1723 and it was completed in 1760. With its large dome and two high spires, it is the most prominent building in the village. It is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary.

Saint Mary Band Club

Saint Mary Band Club was established in 1873 and is one of to local band clubs in Għaxaq. The band club is the main organizer of the Ghaxaq Music Festival in August each year since 1998. Historically it is the feast of Saint Mary that the band has and is organizing in August each year.

Saint Joseph Band Club

Established in 1874 the Saint Joseph Band Club is the second of the two local band clubs and one of the organizers of the feast of Saint Joseph during the first Sunday of June each year. The band club is housed in a large baroque-styled villa close to the parish church.

Għaxaq Activities

With Malta International Airport nearby, plane spotting might actually be one of the available activities in Għaxaq. Another option might be to play a game of Bocce at the local Bocci Club next to the square Pjazza Santu Rokku.

Beaches in Għaxaq

Għaxaq doesn’t have direct access to the coast. Instead, a short excursion is required to access any beach. The nearest beaches are in Birżebbuġa, Marsaxlokk, and Marsaskala.

Shopping in Għaxaq

Shopping in Għaxaq is very limited, but there are a few smaller shops. The closest shopping area is between Għaxaq and neighboring Żejtun where there is a larger Lidl store together with a handful of other stores. Otherwise, an excursion to Sliema or Valletta might be the easiest option.

Excursions from Għaxaq

There are many possible excursions from Għaxaq. Actually, the whole of Malta is within reach. If you evaluate how nearby the airport is the whole Mediterranean might be your playground. Here are a few examples of places that might be of interest.

Marsaskala

Marsaskala is a coastal resort town to the east of Għaxaq. This former fishing village has grown into one of the larger towns in South-Eastern Malta. Here it is possible to find restaurants, beaches, and playgrounds.

From our visits:

Marsaxlokk

Another coastal village to the east of Għaxaq is Marsaxlokk. This is an old fishing village famous for its traditional colorful boats and the daily market. This is one of the main tourist attractions in the eastern part of Malta. The colorful fishing boats, known as Luzzu, are an addition to the Maltese culture dating back to the early 12th century.

From our visits:

Mdina

Mdina is the former capital of Malta and is today a small fortified town. It is one of the most impressive sights on the island and it is a bit to the west of Għaxaq. Mdina is also next to the town of Rabat, a town that is possible to combine in the same visit.

From our visits:

Sliema

This is one of the busiest towns in Malta and a modern commercial center. For anyone looking for shopping or other urban activities, Sliema is usually among the options on the island. Together with Saint Julian’s, Sliema makes up one of the main tourist resorts in Malta.

From our visits:

Valletta

Valletta, the capital of Malta, is one of the places that most people visiting the country will try to see at least once. Its high walls and other fortifications make it an impressive sight and the view of the sea is never far away.

From our visits:

Għaxaq with a Kid

Għaxaq is a lot calmer and more slow-moving than some other parts of Malta. This might make it easier to walk around and explore the village with kids. The lack of interesting sights for kids might, however, make it a bit harder to keep them interested.

Read more about Malta with kids:

Malta with a Toddler

Playgrounds in Għaxaq

We never found a playground in Għaxaq ourselves, but have been able to locate one on the maps after our visit. Close to the center is the park Ġnien Dawret Ħal-Għaxaq where there is a smaller playground.

Ġnien Dawret Ħal-Għaxaq

There is a small playground in the park Ġnien Dawret Ħal-Għaxaq close to the center of Għaxaq. The park is adjoined by a small football pitch. The park is, however, surrounded by some of the village’s larger roads.

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Għaxaq – Exploring Malta

The History of Għaxaq