Castello Zamittello

Castello Zamittello is a family-owned castle in the countryside outside Mġarr, in the north-west of Malta, hired for weddings, corporate days and private celebrations. The family has looked after the building since it was built in 1804, and after a period when others ran it, the castle is once again managed by them. For couples flying in from the UK, the appeal is exclusivity: your booking gives you the indoor and outdoor event spaces for the whole of your event, set among gardens and open fields.

The castle sits close to several of the island's best-known places. Mdina, the old walled capital, is a short drive away, and the sands of Golden Bay are only a few minutes from the gate. If you are comparing venues, our wedding venues in Malta directory lists other options across the islands.

Weddings at the castle

Weddings are the heart of the business. Ceremonies can be held indoors or outdoors, and the main courtyard, gardens and ground-floor rooms can all be used. The venue describes itself as romantic, timeless and welcoming, and a family atmosphere runs through the way events are handled. Every couple is given a dedicated wedding specialist, who guides you from the first viewing through booking and planning. On the day itself a venue manager works with your caterers, suppliers and production team and deals with any questions about the building.

What is included is spelled out clearly. You have exclusive use of the indoor and outdoor event spaces for the duration of the event, and all the furniture you see at the castle, including tables and chairs, is part of the price. Cutlery, crockery, glassware and table linen come from your caterer. The castle works with a hand-picked list of caterers and does not allow outside caterers, so you choose from that list. You may bring your own alcohol, although using your caterer for glassware, staff and garnishes is recommended.

Capacity is generous: up to 250 guests indoors and up to 1,000 outdoors. Couples who plan the wedding themselves can book on a dry hire basis and later move to a package if they give plenty of notice, and a multi-day hire attracts a 10% discount on the dry hire of the house. If you want help with the day, wedding planners are welcome, and the team can suggest some. Flowers are another early decision, and our directory includes florists in Malta who work on weddings, while wedding photographers can capture the setting.

Corporate events and parties

The castle is not only for couples. The corporate side of the business covers team days, product launches and meetings, and the venue stresses that it is adaptable for different kinds of gathering. It is easy to reach from the main roads in Mġarr yet far enough from the village to give complete privacy, which suits companies that want a quiet setting away from an office or hotel conference room.

Private parties and milestone celebrations are also welcome. The castle has hosted celebrations for a long time, and its courtyards have held music events as well as family occasions. If you are organising a group trip to Malta, an event here can sit alongside the things to do in Malta that your guests will already be planning, such as a visit to Valletta or a boat day. Because the same family owns and runs the estate, you deal directly with the people responsible for it.

House rules and extras

Several practical rules are worth knowing before you book. Dried flower petals are allowed, but confetti carries a cleaning fee of €100 plus VAT, and bubbles or streamers are suggested as alternatives. Fireworks are permitted, since Malta has a strong tradition of them, but they must be booked through the castle's preferred supplier, are set off from the roof, carry a venue fee of €100 plus VAT and need a month's notice. Pyrotechnics are allowed outdoors only, again with a month's notice.

Real-flame candles may be used if the flame is housed in a tall holder such as a lantern or hurricane glass. Drones are welcome for aerial footage as long as the pilot holds the right documentation, and a personal drone needs advance approval. Dogs belonging to the couple may attend the ceremony and drinks reception on a lead, but guests' dogs are not invited. If you have more than three dogs, speak to the team first.

Late extensions and other add-ons can be arranged if you ask at least a month before the event. Overnight stays at the castle itself are an optional add-on once the bedrooms have been refurbished, and staying the night before means hiring the castle for an extra day. The family also owns a sister property in Valletta with 21 bedrooms and offers wedding guests a preferential rate there. For other places to stay, see our guides to where to stay in Malta and hotels in Mdina and Rabat.

Getting there and visiting

The castle is on Triq is-Santi in Mġarr. From Malta International Airport the drive takes about 25 minutes, so it is a practical choice for guests arriving on direct flights from the UK to Malta. By car, Għajn Tuffieħa is about 8 minutes away, St Paul's Bay and Mdina about 10, and Valletta about 30. Typing the venue name into a satnav works, and there is plenty of parking in the fields on either side of the building for guests and suppliers. If you prefer not to drive, a private hotel car can be organised subject to availability.

Ground-floor event space and the garden have disabled access, and accessible toilets for men and women are in the garden. The nearby Parish Church of the Assumption in Mġarr village is a short distance down the road. To place a date on hold, you first view the castle in person, on a guided visit or by virtual tour, after which your preferred date is held free of charge for seven days. Contracts are sent and signed electronically, and the deposit is paid by bank transfer. Timing matters in Malta, so check our Malta weather guide when choosing a season. To start, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the castle.