| Lija | |
| Native Name: | Ħal Lija |
| Native Name Lang: | mt |
| Other Name: | Casal Lia |
| Settlement Type: | Local council |
| Motto: | Suavi Fructo Rubeo (I glow red with sweet fruit) |
| Coordinates: | 35.9014°N 14.4472°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Malta |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Eastern Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Western District |
| Parts Type: | Borders |
| Parts Style: | para |
| P1: | Attard, Balzan, Birkirkara, Iklin, Mosta, Naxxar |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Anthony Dalli |
| Leader Party: | PN |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Total Km2: | 1.1 |
| Population Total: | 3202 |
| Population As Of: | Jan. 2019 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Demonym: | Lijan (m), Lijana (f), Lijani (pl) |
| Timezone1: | CET |
| Utc Offset1: | +01:00 |
| Timezone1 Dst: | CEST |
| Utc Offset1 Dst: | +02:00 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | LJA |
| Area Code Type: | Dialing code |
| Area Code: | 356 |
| Iso Code: | MT-24 |
| Blank Name Sec1: | Patron saint |
| Blank Info Sec1: | Transfiguration of Our Saviour |
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | Day of festa |
| Blank1 Info Sec1: | 6 August |
| Website: | Official website |
Lija (Maltese: Ħal Lija) is a small village in the Eastern Region of Malta. It forms part of the Three villages of Malta, along with Attard and Balzan. Lija has a baroque parish church and seven other small chapels. The parish church is dedicated to Our Saviour. Lija became a parish in 1594, after the small community detached itself from the neighbouring town, Birkirkara. It has a population of 3,162 as of 2021.[1]
Lija is mostly known for its fireworks displays that attract thousands of locals and tourists during the festa period held in the first week of August. These displays are very well renowned and claimed to be the best around the island. The Lija fireworks team also won an international fireworks competition held in Monaco back in 1980. In 2006, the Lija fireworks factory placed second in a Fireworks festival organised at the Grand Harbour in Malta's capital, Valletta.[2]
Lija has several old houses and large citrus gardens. The Lija Belvedere Tower and Villa Francia are a main attraction. The official University Residence of the University of Malta is also situated in this village.[3]
Lija Athletic F.C. is the village's football club. This club has been promoted to Malta's Premier (highest) Division five times in its history, most recently being in the 2020/21 season. Considering the small size of the village and the resource and financial limitations, this was deemed to be a huge success by local sports enthusiasts. Lija Athletic, with the collaboration of the Local Council, inaugurated a new synthetic pitch on 6 July 2007 (Jum Ħal Lija or "Lija Day").[4] This pitch is situated in the village's primary school grounds. This year, 2024, the club is celebrating its 75th anniversary since its foundation in 1949.
British author Anthony Burgess, whose works include A Clockwork Orange, resided in Lija for three years (1968-1970).[5] At Lija there is also Villa Parisio, where politician Mabel Strickland, daughter of Lord Gerald Strickland, lived.[6]