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Gudja
ℹ️Practical info — Gudja
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the Chapel of Santa Marija ta' Bir Miftuħ, one of Malta's best-preserved medieval chapels.
- Gudja is famous for its 'three churches', take a walk through the historic core to spot them all.
- Palazzo Bettina in the village is said to have hosted Napoleon Bonaparte; admire its architecture from the outside.
- The village is so close to the airport that you can actually walk to the terminal in about 10-15 minutes.
- Look for the decorative stonework on the old townhouses found in the winding narrow lanes.
🍽 Food
Buy fresh, crusty bread from the traditional bakery located near the main parish church.
Enjoy platters featuring Gbejniet (goat cheese), Bigilla, and olives in local wine bars.
Look for traditional 'Figolli' or almond macaroons in the small cafes around the village square.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Purchase authentic Maltese ingredients from the small family-run shops in the village core.
Occasionally, you can find stalls selling local crafts near the churches during feast times.
The area around this medieval chapel is an oasis of calm away from the airport noise.
These nearly empty streets offer a glimpse into traditional, quiet village life.
Water temperature…
Gudja is an appealing, traditional village in southern Malta, renowned for its rich history and architectural heritage. Situated on a low hill, the locality provides wide views of the nearby airport and the surrounding countryside. Gudja was one of the original medieval parishes of Malta, and its historic core still retains an authentic atmosphere with narrow winding streets and ancient limestone houses. The most prominent architectural feature is the parish church dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is unique in Malta for having two distinct bell towers, built in the 17th century. Just outside the village core lies the medieval chapel of Bir Miftuħ, dating back to the 15th century and housing rare frescoes that predate the Great Siege of 1565. Gudja is also famous for the grand Palazzo Bettina, where tradition holds that Napoleon Bonaparte stayed during his brief occupation of Malta. Despite its proximity to the international airport, the village has successfully maintained its rural and tranquil character.
- Location: Malta
- Top sights: Torri ta' Ġawhar · Visitor terrace Malta International Airport
- Nearby: Senglea (L-Isla) (4 km)
- Population: ~3.184
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 16 |
| Rain mm | 74 | 65 | 51 | 33 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 63 | 82 | 95 | 82 |
Geography
Facts
- The chapel of Bir Miftuħ is one of the few surviving medieval churches in Malta.
- The parish church was built between 1656 and 1666 on the site of an older structure.
- Architect Girolamo Cassar, who designed Valletta, was born in Gudja around 1520.
- Palazzo Bettina features a unique architectural blend and a small private chapel.
- The village is located directly adjacent to the Malta International Airport perimeter.
- The titular statue of the Assumption was brought to the village in 1807.
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Sights in the town Gudja (2)
Frequently asked questions
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