Motivation For Visiting Gaddafi’s Hotel

I recently heard about Jerma Palace Hotel. Learning that Muammar Gaddafi used to have a presidential suite in Malta was quite surprising to me. 🤯

Given our passion for urban exploring, Andy and I, along with a group of friends, decided to uncover the mysteries of this prominent hotel.

Ready for a quick history lesson? Let’s get into it, dear readers.

Gaddafi’s Abandoned Hotel: A Controversial Piece of Maltese History

Jerma Palace Hotel, which opened in 1982, was originally owned by the Libyan State Company Lafico under Muammar Gaddafi, earning it the nickname “Gaddafi’s Hotel.” 

Prior to this Marsaskala was a serene fishing village, and the ground initially belonged to the Franciscans. Since the hotel opened, the population of Marsaskala has grown to about 12,000 inhabitants. 

Managed by the Maltese hotel chain Corinthia, Jerma Palace Hotel quickly became a luxurious and popular resort, especially among Libyan tourists and business people. 

Gaddafi himself, who had a close relationship with the former Maltese Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, was said to frequent the hotel. 

Click here if you want to see what Jerma Palace Hotel looked like in its prime.

Why Did the Hotel Close?

Despite its former glory, the hotel was closed in 2007 only after 25 years of operations, and has remained abandoned ever since. 

Though nobody really knows why it closed. Some say that the luxurious surface contained poor building materials and bad design, thus the construction started to fall.

Following its closure, the resort rapidly fell into disrepair, becoming a target for vandalism and theft. The looters took absolutely everything: carpets, marble floors and even bricks. 

Sadly, the once glamorous hotel became popular among squatters and drug addicts.

The Day Gaddafi’s Hotel Burned

The situation worsened when the hotel was partially demolished in 2016. Additionally, the demolition of the hotel was ordered by the government, with an estimated cost of 1.5 million euros for the owner. 

Funny enough, the building caught fire that exact same day. Possibly due to piles of rubbish in the ruins. However, nobody really knows the exact cause of the fire. 

Since then it has been rendered dangerous to enter. Thus, entering the building is done at your own risk. Various plans for redeveloping the site have been proposed, but no concrete projects have been realised. 

The history of Jerma Palace Hotel highlights the close, yet often controversial, relationship between Malta and Libya over the years.

Exploring the Hotel

Malta, though small, boasts a remarkable number of abandoned places that attract urban exploration lovers. Although I have only visited very few abandoned places in Malta, such as White Rocks, visiting Gaddafi’s Hotel was an exceptional experience.

I swear the building is huge! We probably spent 1.5 hours walking around the empty halls and hotel rooms, which felt like visiting a contemporary art gallery. 

The hotel also features a spectacular sea view. Imagine how awesome it must’ve been visiting the hotel back in the days, with its prime location and direct access to the Mediterranean Sea. 

You don’t even have to enter the building to appreciate some of the awesome graffiti painted on the walls of Jerma Palace Hotel. Simply admiring it from the outside gives you a sense of its former glory.

Why Marsaskala Deserves More Attention

After visiting the hotel, we decided to go for a walk. Andy’s brother rarely suggests walks, so we seized the opportunity, particularly as none of us had really explored Marsaskala before.

Looking back, I somewhat regret not placing Marsaskala higher on our list of must-visit spots in Malta, as it is truly beautiful. 

It felt like a little escape from the hustle and bustle of Sliema, with fresher air, fewer people, and breathtaking views of dramatic, rugged cliffs.

Dining In Marsaskala

A good walk always works up an appetite! Feeling quite hungry after our short walk, Andy spotted a charming spot by the seaside—Zion Bar & Restaurant. 

This year, we’ve set ourselves the goal of trying as many new places as possible. Zion is a real find!

It offers various seating areas, catering to different tastes. Whether you prefer the stunning ocean view at the front, the peaceful indoor setting, or the lively atmosphere in the backyard, there’s a place for everyone.

Affordable Eats and Memorable Moments

Since our friend visited us during his holiday, we opted to spend time in the lively backyard. It was absolutely wonderful! The atmosphere resembled that of a secluded beach club, with charming greenery and nice music. 

Offering self-service, the backyard area boasts a menu that caters to every taste. We all opted for burgers, and I must say, the vegetarian option was one of the best I’ve had in Malta. 

A giant falafel and deep fried halloumi work very well in a veggie-burger. SO tasty! You could really sense that they were using high quality ingredients. 

We paid between €10 – €15 per person for the burgers, thus the pricing was also reasonable. It is definitely a place we are going back to sometime during the summer.

Exploring Coastal Sights at St. Thomas Bay

Following our lovely break at Zion, we were ready to continue our walk, eager to discover more sights, including some intriguing historical landmarks. 

Our first destination was the Riħama Battery (Vendome Battery), hidden at the edge of St. Thomas Bay.

A Miniature Blue Grotto

Continuing along the coast, we encountered the Munxar Window, resembling a smaller version of the popular natural arch in Blue Grotto. 

I love that you are able to find beautiful sights wherever you go in Malta!

A Final Breathtaking View

As we followed the Munxar Path to the end, we were met with one last awe-inspiring cliffside view. It was a truly memorable day, and I’m grateful that we got to experience Marsaskala in all its charm. 

This cute village is a hidden gem in Malta, and I highly recommend adding it to your Malta bucket list. I am sure you won’t regret it!

Interactive Map: Locations in Marsaskala

Wrapping Up Our Marsaskala Adventure

Dear readers, we’ve come to the conclusion of this adventure!

I hope my recommendation for the perfect day in Marsaskala has sparked your interest. I also hope you’re now inspired to visit Gaddafi’s Hotel and Marsaskala on your own.

Keep an eye out for additional recommendations on how to make the most of your time in Malta.

xoxo,
Mikki