#2 Mgarr ix-Xini, Xewkija

Mgarr ix-Xini served as a haven for knights’ galleys, and in 1551, during the biggest attack of the islands’ history, it was used by the conquering Turks to load captured Gozitans aboard their vessels. Fast-forward about 450 years: The bay became an overnight sensation due to its prominent role in the 2015 film By the Sea, starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Nowadays, a small pebbly beach sits at the mouth of the bay, providing a gradual slope into the water. Locals often prefer to use the small cliffs on the edges as a platform from which to impress their peers with their diving prowess. Mgarr ix-Xini is rarely crowded, making it an ideal site for travelers to immerse themselves in local culture while also experiencing historical significance firsthand.