A few kilometers from Mdina, the former capital of Malta, Ta’Qali (pronounced: Ta Hali) is a place not to be missed in Malta: a village ofcraftsmen, an aviation museum, a national park, a vegetable market and a national stadium have given a new lease of life to this former Royal Air Force base Here are five reasons to visit Ta’Qali…
The story of Ta’Qali
Initially, these hectares of plain were an airfield built just before the 39-45 war for civilian and then military flights. When we look at the testimonies of the time, it was not a pleasure for the pilots: in winter the grass surface was muddy, in summer it became clay! Nevertheless, during the conflict, the British made Ta’Qali their air base until 1950. The old military buildings are still visible today.
1 ♥ Ta’Qali and the Artisans of Art
Important tourist place in Malta, which we always advise to our friends in Malta: visit “Ta’Qali Crafts Village”. to buy souvenirs “made in Malta”: you can access the workshops and understand how the glass of Mdina is blown but also the work of the olive wood, the globigerine (stone of Malta), the art of ironwork or ceramics. The other particularity of the village is that the craftsmen work in authentic “Nissen Huts” – former wartime resting places, with rounded sheet metal roofs, and, we assure you, well air-conditioned in summer! Handicrafts in Malta and Gozo
2 ♥ Ta’Qali and the planes
What could be more natural than to have thought of the Malta Aviation Museum! It gathers interesting aircraft including an old biplane “Tiger Moth” which managed to land in December 2011 on the adjacent concrete runway. Close to the museum, model aircraft enthusiasts meet regularly to fly their models. And also some Maltese, fond of cars, use the old tracks for car “races”. Malta Aviation Museum
3 ♥ Ta’Qali, Malta’s event venue
With its large amphitheater the Ta’Qali National Park is the place for big gatherings in Malta. It is here that Satus Quo and Iron Maiden concerts took place a few years ago. The Earth Garden Festival is a great place for world music during a weekend in June, with a village dedicated to fair trade and environmental issues. During the day, this green space is very popular with families for a picnic or a simple jog!
Events in Ta’Qali
4 ♥ Ta’Qali and its farmers’ market
A few steps from the National Park, Pitkalija” is a large farmers’ market where Every Tuesday and Saturday morning, you have the opportunity to buy directly ultra-fresh products at very interesting prices: olive oil, honey, seasonal vegetables, fruits, bigilla (speciality to spread as an aperitif), gbejnet (goat cheese). Even if you don’t intend to buy anything, we advise you to visit it for the atmosphere, the colorful and fragrant stalls.
Tuesday from 9:00 to 19:00, Saturday from 09:00 to 14:00
5 ♥ Ta’ Qali and Football in Malta
Opened in 1981, the large stadium includes ultra-modern facilities for games and the training center, which are regularly used for exciting regional derbies. It also houses a physiotherapy clinic that treats athletes from all disciplines in Malta, as well as anyone who requires post-trauma rehabilitation. So, if you are a soccer fan, book your tickets! Malta Football Association
To get to Ta’Qali by bus N° 106, 107, 51, 52, 53, 202, 109, X3 or by car : Map
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