Msida

Set along a small natural harbour just west of Valletta, Msida has grown from a humble fishing village into one of Malta’s busiest university towns. Its name is thought to derive from an Arabic word meaning “a fisherman’s dwelling,” reflecting the locality’s maritime roots, though some suggest it may also stem from the Maltese phrase “Omm Sidna”, meaning “Mother of Our Lord.” Today the town revolves around the lively Msida Marina, where rows of yachts line the waterfront, and the nearby University of Malta, which brings a constant flow of students and activity to the area. Despite modern development, traces of the old village survive in its waterfront chapels, traditional streets, and the small community of fishermen who still cast their nets in the harbour.