Marsa: Bays, Local History and Sport

Two bays, a landscape between hills and plains, and stories reaching back to antiquity: Marsa brings together different facets of a place in a compact area. It also has sporting facilities offering a range of activities. If you are considering what you would like to shape your stay, you can explore local history and landscape here, as well as tennis, squash or cricket.

Two bays define Marsa

Xatt il-Qwabar and Il-Marsa il-Kbira are the two bays of the Il-Marsa area. Għolja tal-Giżwiti separates them. The landscape can therefore be read through its features: two bays, with the rise between them dividing them. The name of the place also suits its maritime character. Il-Marsa comes from Arabic and means a place where ships anchor and moor.

Another connection to the landscape leads to the plain: Wied is-Sewda winds its way into the Marsa plain. Together, these names tell of an area whose description goes beyond a single viewpoint or bay. Those interested in the shape of the place will find specific points of reference here to help distinguish the two bays, the hill that separates them and the course of the valley.

Traces of antiquity and local history

Archaeological finds in Il-Marsa show that the area’s inhabitants were already making use of the shelter provided by its bays in antiquity. The bays therefore belong not only to today’s description of the landscape, but also to the early chapters of the area’s history. In 1565, during the Great Siege of Malta, Marsa served as a camp for Ottoman troops. This historical episode adds a different dimension: it connects the place with an important event in Maltese history.

Later centuries are also associated with specific names. In the 17th century, the historic Museo di San Giacomo museum was located in Marsa. The Church of the Holy Trinity was built by Lorenzo Balbi and his wife. A precise date marks the area’s ecclesiastical history: Marsa became a parish on 19 April 1913. Together, these milestones do not form a single, uniform narrative, but offer several perspectives on Marsa—from the ancient use of the bays to its museum and church building, and its development as a parish.

Sport with a range of focuses

Those who enjoy combining their stay with sport will find several specific options in Marsa. The Marsa Sports Club has five fully air-conditioned squash courts with glass back walls. Its tennis facilities include 18 courts, among them one clay court and two covered courts. The tennis academy can also offer coaching to players of all levels. The different types of courts and the opportunity for coaching give the tennis facilities more than just one focus; booking conditions and coaching options may change.

Cricket is also on offer at the Marsa Sports Club: a weekly game is held on its cricket ground every Saturday. As schedules may change, it is advisable to check the dates before visiting. Another sporting venue is the Marsa Sports Complex. It has squash courts as well as a weightlifting centre run by the national association. Access to the complex may change during construction work, so check before visiting.

The Royal Malta Golf Club in Marsa welcomes visitors. Conditions may change, so it is advisable to check in advance before visiting. The sporting options therefore vary considerably: tennis, squash and cricket are available alongside the golf club and weightlifting centre. Which of these fits into your stay depends on whether you want to take part yourself or plan a visit as a one-off activity.

Choosing the right holiday apartment for your stay

When choosing a holiday apartment in Marsa, you can start by deciding which aspect of the place interests you most. Are you drawn to the bays, the landscape and the area’s long history? Or would you like to consider sporting options such as tennis, squash, cricket or golf? These themes offer different focuses, without any one of them having to define the whole trip.

The history can also be explored in small stages: the ancient use of the bays, the camp during the 1565 siege, the museum in the 17th century and the establishment of the parish in 1913 all belong to different periods. Those interested in sport, on the other hand, can weigh up court sports, a cricket match and a visit to the golf club. Marsa thus offers several starting points for planning, without requiring landscape, history and activity to be experienced in the same way.

Discover more destinations: Żurrieq, Naxxar, Xlendi, Gzira, St. Julians, Birkirkara, Kercem, San Ġwann.

For the broader travel overview: Malta.