Tunnara Museum is a small museum in Mellieħa, Malta, devoted to traditional tuna fishing in the bay. Set in the surviving blockhouse of a coastal fortification, it gives you a chance to connect local fishing history with the area’s military past.
- Location: Westreme Battery, Il-Moll tat-Tunnara, Mellieħa.
- Reported hours: Short opening periods on weekdays; closed on weekends.
- Admission: Reported as free, with a donation plate at the entrance.
Where is Tunnara Museum, and what can you see?
Tunnara Museum is at Westreme Battery on Il-Moll tat-Tunnara in Mellieħa. The museum occupies the battery’s surviving blockhouse, part of a coastal fortification built by the Order of St John in 1715–1716.
Its exhibitions explain traditional Maltese tuna fishing and show objects and information about catching bluefin tuna in the bay. The Grand Master Pinto inaugurated the tunnara at Westreme Battery in 1748. The battery’s semicircular gun platform and parapet are no longer there, but parts of its rock-cut base remain visible.
The restored museum also includes an interactive interpretation centre about how tuna used to be fished. That combination of fishing history and surviving fortification makes the visit more than a look at exhibits: the site itself is part of the story.
How do you get from Xemxija to Tunnara Museum?
From Xemxija Bay Hotel, Tunnara Museum is about an 11-minute drive. The car route from Mellieħa goes via Triq il-Marfa, then right onto Triq Dawret it-Tunnara; parking is available at the site.
Check the route and timetable with Malta Public Transport before travelling. From Valletta, buses 41, 42 and 49 go to the Tunnara stop; route 49 runs on weekdays only.
For another local museum stop, read about visiting the Malta Classic Car Museum.
What should you check before visiting?
Opening hours are limited, so verify them before you set out. The museum is open from 10:00–12:00 and 14:30–16:00 on Fridays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from 10:00–12:00 on Mondays and Thursdays; it is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Hours may change, so check the official Mellieħa Local Council site before you go.
Admission is free, with a donation plate at the entrance. The museum is described as wheelchair accessible; contact the council to check access arrangements before your visit.
What else can you pair with the museum?
Keep the museum’s reported short weekday hours in mind when deciding what to do first, and confirm access arrangements before combining stops.
A one-day itinerary around Xemxija can help you plan the museum alongside other local stops.
FAQs
Is Tunnara Museum free?
Admission is free, with a donation plate at the entrance. Confirm current details before your visit.
Is Tunnara Museum open on weekends?
The museum is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Check with Mellieħa Local Council for current opening arrangements.
Does the museum cover tuna fishing?
Yes. Its exhibitions focus on traditional Maltese tuna fishing and catching bluefin tuna in the bay.
Is Tunnara Museum wheelchair accessible?
The museum is described as wheelchair accessible. Contact Mellieħa Local Council to check access arrangements before your visit.