Beyond Academia

Msida is a harbour town in the Central Region of Malta. The town is located just west of Valletta on the northeast coast of Malta. The town enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, sunny summers and short, cool winters.

Its name comes from an Arabic word meaning “a fisherman’s dwelling”. However it could also be derived from the word ‘Omm Sidna’ meaning ‘The Mother of Our Lord’ since there could have been a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Today, Msida is a bustling university town and development has been centered on an increasing student population at the University as well as various new service industries that have sprung in this town in recent years.

The city houses many university students, mostly Gozitans.