images: getty; alamyl Ta’ Xmun Olive Grove |
From top clockwise: A traditional Maltese wine-tasting platter with local appetisers; Lower Barrakka gardens in Valletta; olives at Ta’ Xmun Olive Grove |
BOOMING TOURISM
Just over four million tourists visited Malta in 2025, marking a 13 % increase over the previous year. The island nation lies between Sicily and Libya and was ruled by several powers, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, the Knights of St. John and the British, before finally gaining independence in 1964. It’ s an ideal destination for lovers of European history, with megalithic temples that date back to 3600 BCE and a vibrant Baroque capital, Valletta, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But Malta is also the perfect place to wind down and enjoy the laid-back, Mediterranean life. While many tourists flock to the island’ s sandy beaches, rural areas also offer rejuvenating breaks away from the crowds.
Ta’ Xmun Olive Grove is in the town of Zebbug, which is incidentally the Maltese word for‘ olives’— the name is likely attributed to the numerous olive trees that once characterized the town. Nowadays, it’ s a jumble of limestone houses and concrete flats perched above Wied is-Sewda( The Black Valley), where fields like Charles’ s are nestled among rubble walls. Though
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tucked away from the beaten path, people from different corners of the world still find their way here.
“ Tourists visit us specifically for the oil,” Charles says.
While he welcomes the interest, he wants to keep things small and simple. For him, the priority is to provide an authentic experience where people can truly learn about the trees and the harvesting process— and of course, try the Bidni oil.
But not all olives are harvested for oil. The other indigenous cultivar, Tal-Bajda— a rare variety that was once nearly extinct— produces fleshier fruits that are used in traditional Maltese dishes like rabbit stew. Today, there are only around 70 such trees across the island, including a handful at Charles’ s grove.
“ It’ s also known as the Maltese Pearl Olive because it starts green and turns very pale when ripe,” Charles explains.
He stops abruptly at a tree and snaps off a dead branch.“ Olive trees are strong and hardy,” he says,“ but they need constant tending, dry wood can cause problems if it’ s not removed.”
There are many other things that could harm an olive tree: pests such as fruit flies
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