Plizio Visual Lab

Luqa

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

City

—°3

ℹ️

Practical info — Luqa

▾

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Luqa is well-suited for the last night before an early flight, as the airport is reachable on foot or within a few minutes.
Visit the impressive St. Andrew's Parish Church, which is a major landmark of the village.
If you love aviation, you can find great spotting locations along the airport perimeter fence.
Visit the village during the 'Festa' in early July to experience traditional Maltese celebrations and fireworks.
Use the X-bus routes for direct connections between the village and various coastal areas of the island.

🍽 Food

🍽

Qassatat

These round pastries filled with ricotta or spinach are a popular local snack in the square's bakeries.

🍽

Kinnie

Try this iconic Maltese herbal soda in one of the traditional village clubs (Kažini).

🍽

Homemade Pizza

Many small takeaways in Luqa are famous for their generous, thick-crust pizza slices.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍

SkyParks Retail

Located right by the airport, this area features modern shops and convenient services.

🛍

Traditional Village Butcher

Visit the shops in the village core for Maltese sausage specialties like 'Zalzett'.

🧘

Parish Church Square

A spacious square that gives a peaceful, village atmosphere, especially in the evenings.

🧘

Walking path to Gudja

A narrow road through rural patches that connects the two neighboring villages.

Luqa is a strategically vital town in southeastern Malta, inseparable from the island's aviation history. It is home to the Malta International Airport, the country's sole civilian airport, established on the site of the former British RAF Luqa airbase. During World War II, Luqa was a primary target for Axis air raids due to its airfield, resulting in the near-total destruction of the town and its historic structures. The post-war reconstruction gave Luqa a more modern appearance, although the village core still retains its traditional Maltese character. The monumental parish church, dedicated to Saint Andrew, was rebuilt between 1944 and 1962 following severe bomb damage and houses notable artworks, including a titular painting by the renowned artist Mattia Preti. Today, the town's economy is heavily driven by the aviation sector and surrounding logistics hubs, making Luqa a dynamic transport node. Despite the industrial influence, the community maintains strong local traditions, particularly centered around its prestigious brass band clubs.

Location: Malta
Top sights: Monument ta' Ħal Luqa · Luqa Church · Ħal Farruġ Naval Reservoir
Nearby: Żabbar (4 km)
Population: ~6.162

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

Population

6,162

Coordinates

35.85890, 14.49360

Facts

Malta International Airport was originally opened for civilian use in March 1958.
The parish church of St. Andrew features a titular painting by Mattia Preti from 1687.
Luqa became an independent parish in 1634, separated from the parish of Birgu.
The town was heavily targeted during the Siege of Malta in WWII due to its strategic airfield.
Luqa's motto is 'In Hoc Signo Vincit', reflecting its historical resilience.
The village is home to the headquarters of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Air Wing.