A town dedicated to Grand Master Manuel Pinto de Fonseca
Palazzino Nina is a luxurious boutique hotel in a mid-1800s Palazzino the very heart of Qormi Malta, just 5.0 KM away from the Malta International Airport and Valletta - Malta's capital city. Qormi is renowned for bread baking and is indeed known as both the bakers’ city and Città Pinto, named after Grand Master Manuel Pinto de Fonseca, who in 1743 elevated the village of Qormi to an official city status. The shield of this city is the personal coat of arms of the same Grand Master - five upturned red crescents, above which is a mural crown representing the fortifications of Malta and indicating Qormi’s status as a città. During this period of the Knights (1530) Qormi contributed significantly in the struggle to defeat the Ottoman Turks in the Siege of 1565. To this day, Qormi is often referred to as Citta` Pinto. In 2018, Qormi celebrated its 275 years of becoming a city (città).
Navigate in the map below to see how centrally located the hotel is to the island's major attractions and the Malta International Airport.
Getting Around
Qormi is located southwest of Valletta in the centre of the island making the place a desirable location for the commuting tourist seeking to immerse in tradition away from the hustle and bustle of other urban locations which are in any case logistically very accessible.
Indeed Palazzino Nina is situated on the bus routes to and by bordering towns; Marsa, Luqa, Żebbuġ, Siġġiewi, Ħamrun, Birkirkara, Attard, Santa Venera and Balzan with a park and ride facility situated in Marsa which can take you to these locations. The hotel is minutes away from the Hop On Hop Off route to other tourist sought after areas such as Mdina, Sliema, Mosta and St. Paul’s Bay.
The hotel can also arrange for you to get a taxi from the hotel to anywhere you would to visit.
Bus stop & car hire locations round the corner from the hotel
The Qormi Experience
'Live like a Local'
Explore. Discover. Experience.
Qormi also known as Citta` Pinto - the City of Grandmaster Pinto is rich in culture and history. The locals are very passionate people who speak of Qormi with pride. The city is best known for bread baking, traditional religious feasts, and local food.
Click on the experiences below to learn more.
Ħobż tal-Malti (Maltese Bread)
Ħal-Qormi is best known among the Maltese for baking Maltese bread (Ħobż tal-Malti) and, indeed during the rule of the Knights of Malta, Qormi was widely known as Casal Fornaro - the Village of Bakeries - a proud tradition that continues today.
Explore the smell within the bakery which is constantly that of freshly baked bread with a bitter smoke to it resulting from the burning oven wood.
Discover the bakery tools and wood fired ovens used, the bakers' skills, and techniques applied to produce such a staple food on a daily basis.
Experience how a traditional Maltese bakery produces bread, an essential dietary food item in Maltese culture.
Meet the locals. The people who have been baking bread for generations.
A Personalised tour can be organised by the hotel to visit the Bread Baking Experience.
Ta' Kalċ Bakery - Qormi, Malta
Papier Mache` - Street Decorations
Like all Maltese villages, Qormi has its fair share of festas (feasts) and pageantry. It is well worth trying to visit during one of these religious celebrations when the churches, streets, and houses are splendidly decorated.
Explore the various art forms, designs, and skills used to accomplish such marvelous decorative pieces.
Discover the places where such decorations are created and maintained.
Experience the papier mache` decorations concept.
Meet the locals. The truly passionate volunteers who will do anything to create and preserve such decorations.
A Personalised tour can be organised by the hotel.
The Papier Mache` Experience - Qormi Saint George, Malta
Parishioners running towards the church with the Statue of the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday
Explore the various religious celebrations which take place during the year. The following are the dates for celebrations taking place in 2022:
10 -17 April: Holy Week - Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday;
The well-known Good Friday Pageant in Qormi.
The well-known Easter Sunday Procession in Qormi.
23 April: Liturgical commemoration of Saint George;
26 June: Saint George's Feast;
The much awaited Traditional Feast of Saint George in Qormi
24 July: Saint Sebastian's Feast;
Saint Sebastian's Feast in Qormi
8 September: Our Lady of Victory Feast
Our Lady of Victory Feast in Qormi (500 metres away from the hotel)
Discover the splendid church, street, and house decorations put up by feasts enthusiasts and the locals.
Experience true Maltese culture.
Pinto Band Club Anthem Saint Sebastian's Feast in Qormi
Explore. Discover. Experience.the various marches played during the different feasts organised.
A Personalised tour can be organised by the hotel to see and listen to band clubs practicing for feasts.
Spectecular fireworks displayed during feasts
Fireworks in Malta have a long tradition. Indeed the craft of pyrotechnics dates back to the time of the Order of the Knights of Saint John.
Today 4 type of pyrotechnics exist. These include: musketterija, solfarelli d'aria, jigjifogooh (gioco di fuoco/Saint Catherine's wheels), and fireworks shot in the sky.
Explore how pyrotechnics are produces, the skills required, and the materials used.
Discover where the firework factories are located.
Experience the passion locals have for the pyrotechnics.
A Personalised tour can be organised by the hotel to visit the different factories and get to know from where the fireworks are fired from.
Jigjifogooh Display in Qormi
Saint George's Fireworks Factory in Qormi
Breathtaking Fireworks Display in Qormi
Golf Course, Qormi Malta
The Royal Malta Golf Club (RMGC) is the ideal setting for relaxing, working on your handicap, or spending time with friends. Positioned in beautifully maintained grounds and being centrally located in the Mediterranean it enjoys a wonderful climate providing excellent golfing conditions.
Due to the temperate climate the18 hole, par 68 course is in excellent condition for all twelve months of the year and is enjoyed on a regular daily basis by locals and visitors. If you just wish just to spend a short time practicing your skills you can make use of the clubs driving range and the pitching and putting areas.
The very modern clubhouse which is available to members and guests offers exceptional facilities, including an outdoor terrace overlooking the course, the Putters Inn Bar and Restaurant and in addition golfers have the use of excellent changing room facilities and showers. The Pro shop located in the entrance hall offers a wide range of golfing merchandise and the opportunity to hire clubs and trolleys if required.
Explore Malta's one and only golf course.
Discover the joy of playing golf.
Experience a different way to spend time with your friends sharing the same passion.
The Golf Club Experience, Qormi Malta
Ta' Cardona Wine Bar, Qormi
Explore what makes a Maltese mediterranean diet.
Discover the various local ingredients.
Experience traditional dishes and delicacies.
Maltese Vineyards
Explore the various type of vines grown which produce the different type of grapes.
Discover how wine is produced.
Experience the taste of true Maltese wine.
A Personalised tour can be organised by the hotel.
Handcrafted Maltese Filigree Bracelet
Explore the materials used and the skills required to craft filigree.
Discover the technique in creating such artefacts.
Experience the feeling of satisfaction when crafting a piece yourself.
Handcrafted Maltese Filigree
Trot Racing, Qormi Malta
Horse racing goes back to the period of the Knights of Saint John. During the "Imnarja" festivities, which is a centuries old tradition and refers to a harvest festival which is celebrated on June 29th, the feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the Grand Master followed closely the horse races which took place during this time.
With the only horse race track in Malta being on the edge of the town, Qormi has long been known for its horse enthusiasts. Especially so, one can easily come across horses being exercised in the streets both in the early mornings and evenings. Also, while walking in the back lanes, one can come across several stables.
Explore the only horse racing track in Malta where such events take place.
Discover the different types of races organised.
Experience directly the true local Maltese horse racing passion of the enthusiasts.
The sports enthusiasts can venture to the Marsa Sports Complex with facilities ranging from not less than 15 tennis courts to a golf course to a 400m athtletic running track, a swimming pool and a fitness center amongst others.
Shopping Complexes & Nearby Restaurants
Route to nearby recently launched Shopping Complex
Approximately 1.0 KM away from the hotel, guests can visit the different stores located in a recently launched shpopping complex. One comes across renowned eateries, retail outlets and supermarkets which are just opposite the park and ride facility where one can take different buses to different destinations across the Island, amongst which there is a bus route to Valletta, Saint Julians, Saint Paul's Bay and Saint Peter's Pool in Marsascala.
