Perched on a hillside overlooking spectacular beaches and the glittering ocean sits the town of Zejtun. The pretty resorts of Marsaxlokk and Marsascala are not far away and the tiny St. Thomas Bay, a tranquil beach of large rocks and sand, is a three kilometre stroll for those wishing to take a picnic and swim off the beaten track.
Zejtun itself is home to many traditional and noteworthy buildings and a trip to this languid town will unearth plenty of sights.
The town takes it name from a derivative of the semetic word "zejt" meaning "olive" and, long ago, was famous for its production of olive oil. These days, sadly, the only olive tree that remains is one planted at the start of new millennium as a symbol of the Zejtun inhabitant's pride and heritage as well as being a representation of peace.
Now the town's claim to fame is that it is where folk singing originates from. The bust of Mikiel Abela, a famous folk singer from the town, stands at the entrance to Zejtun to represent how popular the pastime still is.
Another coup for the town is that it can boast how it was one of the first towns in Malta to have a public garden, and one of the finest at that. The Luqa Briffa Garden still stands today and is home to a number of rare trees.
However, what many people come to Zejtun to see is its magnificent Parish Church of St Catherine. It was designed by one of Malta's foremost architects Lorenzo Gata who was also responsible for the stunning cathedrals at Mdina and Victoria on Gozo.
For many though it is St Catherine's that is his masterpiece. Dominating the centre of Zejtun the church is majestic with its attractive dome, Doric and Ionic columns and massive cornices which go all around the building.
