The first people to arrive in Birzebbuga were the Phoenicians, who voyaged by sea, this area was chosen because it is the first point of contact when travelling from the East, here the bay offered shelter for their ships. It was during their stay they built a temple, called the temple of Erocle.
The harbour played an important role in history, not only it was used by the Phoenicians, it was also made use of by the Romans and Arabs. During the 20th century it became a base for British naval warships and was also used for military flying boats. Nowadays, the harbour also plays a huge economical role with the Freeport, handling an impressive number of cargo ships and containers on a daily basis.
The town also has historical buildings that date back centuries, educating us about how people on the island lived through different rulings. Such buildings include Farretti Coastal Battery, and the Birzebbuga entrenchments, dating back to the times of the Knights, as well as other fortifications built by the British in the areas of Benghajsa, Delimara and tas-Silg. Holidays to Birzebuga will provide a real sense of Maltese history.
Today Birzebbuga is a flourishing seaside resort, not far from Marsaxlokk. The bay has been, for some time a popular bathing place for Maltese holiday-makers. Sand was almost inexistent and the bathers took to the water from the flat rocks or from concrete platforms built on the shoreline.
Not too long ago the bay was artificially filled with sand recovered from the sea during works on the Freeport project in the vicinity. Pretty Bay may now be considered as a sandy beach, and many people are flocking to the comfort of its sand and sheltered water.
There are lots of things to do in Birzebbuga, the bay lies right in the town centre. Shops line the streets on its periphery and there are lots of restaurants in Birzebbuga Malta to choose from. The coastline outside Pretty Bay, at St. George's Bay and further towards Marsaxlokk, is ideal for off the rocks bathing and many prefer to take a dip in those waters.