Beaches in Malta

Top 10 beaches in Malta

 

Does Malta have good beaches? Yes! Maltese beaches are well known for having many clean and crystal-clear beaches in the Mediterranean sea. You can choose between sandy beaches and rocky beaches as you prefer.

In this section we present the top 10 most popular beaches and a list of beaches of the whole country. Surely, you can enjoy the beaches on your own or by boat with our experienced private guide (Here) to reach some hidden gems!

 

1. Golden Bay

 

Golden Bay is one of the most popular sandy beaches in Malta. It is located at the north west coast of the Maltese island, surrounded by countryside nature and jagged cliffs.  The wide stretch of golden-coloured sand gives Golden Bay its name. It is a Blue Flag certified beach which is proven to be clean and safe, sustainably developed and respecting the environment. During Summer season, you will be protected under lifeguards’ patrol and enjoy the most of the clear turquoise water.

At Golden Bay, you will find a variety of activities and water sports to do. Besides swimming and a cosy sun-bathing on your sunbed under an umbrella, you can also rent a kayak, a jet ski, a SUP or just get active by playing beach volleyball. During some days you can also cheer for the athletes of triathlon events, or just simply hold a glass of delicate Maltese wine in the beach restaurants enjoying the phenomenal sunset.

Pros

• Easy to reach by public transportation or car
• Sandy beach, clean water
• Blue Flag certified, lifeguards (seasonal)
• Catering, restaurants and bar
• Facilities include toilets, showers (COVID restrictions apply), parking, accessibility
• Camping, BBQ
• Sunbed, umbrella
• Water sports
• Boat friendly

Cons

• Beach can be packed during high season
• No diving facilities nearby

 

 

2. Riviera Beach (Ghajn Tuffieha)

 

Riviera Beach, also is known as Ghajn Tuffieha, which is the area that consists of Riviera and Golden Bay, is literally translated to Apple’s Eye. Riviera Beach is located at the most romantic bay with a phenomenal sunset view. A significant flight of stairs heads down to the beach, but it is totally worth it to enter the scenery. By hiking up the hill on the south side of the bay, you will have a spectacular view of Maltese landscape and a bird-eye view of Riviera and Gnejna Bay. During windy season, you can enjoy surfing in this bay, while during summer season, you can swim under lifeguards’ patrol. A variety of water sports are available at Riviera. At the beach restaurant, you can enjoy the food and drinks with marvellous sea views. Riviera bay is certainly the most popular bay of photographers.

Pros

• Easy to reach by public transportation or car
• Soft sandy beach and clean water
• Lifeguards (seasonal)
• Catering, restaurant and kiosks
• Facilities, toilets, parking
• BBQ
• Sunbeds, umbrellas
• Water Sports
• Boat Friendly

Cons

• No accessibility
• No showers
• Generally swimming is safe, but need to be aware of occasional strong waves.

 

3. Mellieha Bay (Ghadira beach)

Mellieha Bay (Ghadira beach) is the largest sandy beach in Malta. By its wide-open sandy beach and blue shallow water, Mellieha bay attracts thousands of beach lovers every summer. It’s a blue flag certified beach. Because of its long stretches of shallow waters, it is the most favourite beach for families with children.

Ghadira Beach is located near the main road of North Mellieha, it is easy to reach by public transportation, cars or just walking distance from nearby hotels. Plenty of facilities and activities can be chosen from. Windsurfing is available here.

From here our private boat trip starts!

Pros

• Easy to reach by public transportation or car
• Long sandy beach, clean water
• Blue Flag certified, lifeguards (seasonal)
• Catering, restaurants, bars, and kiosks
• Facilities, toilets, parking, accessibility
• Diving centre nearby
• Sunbed, umbrella
• Water sports
• Boat friendly

Cons

• Beach can be packed during high season
• no showers

 

4. The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is one of the most well known site in Malta. It located at Comino Island. As the name of blue lagoon suggests, it has the most crystal and stunningly clear blue water. A perfect spot to snorkel or swim with a clear white sandy seabed. Unlike other long sandy beaches, here you will mostly find rocky beaches, but sunbeds and umbrellas are still available to rent. Beside the water, you can go hiking around Comino, with marvellous natural views and astonishing caves. To reach the blue lagoon, you can take a public taxi boat, or rent your private boat.

Pros

• Stunning crystal-clear water
• Lifeguards (seasonal)
• Kiosks for snacks and drinks
• Snorkelling
• Sunbed, umbrella
• Boat friendly

Cons

• Can only be reached by sea
• No water sports
• No accessibility

 

5. Ir-Ramla Beach, Island of Gozo

Ramla Beach is the most popular and biggest beach in Gozo. It is a naturally red sand beach with clear blue water. The beach is large and wide. It is a Blue Flag certified beach with lifeguards’ patrol. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available, as well as water sports activities. It is also a great location for hiking during Winter and Spring. If you walk through the hills at the south side of the beach, you will find the Tal-Mixta Cave which gives you a unique bird-eye view of Ramla beach.

Pros

• Blue Flag, lifeguards (seasonal)
• BBQ
• Catering, restaurants, Bars, and kiosks
• Water sports
• Sunbed, umbrella
• Facilities, Toilets, Parking, Accessibility

Cons

• Walk about 20mins after getting off the bus

 

6. Xlendi Bay, Island of Gozo

Xlendi is a seaside village in the south of Gozo. It is the most popular bay by tourists as well as locals. Xlendi bay is between Xlendi valley and large cliffs. Unlike other sandy beaches, Xlendi bay is a mostly rocky beach. However, you will have a flat rock formation to set up your sunbed or towel. Inside of the bay, there are many local sea food restaurants that offer fresh fish daily. Water sports, snorkelling, and diving are available here. If you like nature, hiking is also a good choice in Xlendi. At Xlendi tower, you will have a peaceful beautiful view of the bay.

Pros

• Clear blue water
• Water sports
• Variety of Marine life
• Beautiful site for diving and snorkelling
• Catering, restaurants. Bars and kiosks
• Boat friendly
• Sunbed, Umbrella
• Facilities, Toilets, Parking, Accessibility

Cons

• Can be crowded during peek season

 

7. St. Peter’s Pool (Hidden gem)

St. Peter’s Pool is a beautiful natural swimming pool with clear turquoise waters. It’s very popular with swimmers who love to jump into the water from different heights. There is no sandy beach, but you can easily find a flat place to sunbathing. You can simply spend a day enjoying the crystal-clear blue water by snorkelling, swimming, or sunbathing. Due to its hidden and natural location, there are no facilities and no public transportation for easy access. You can either drive by car or take a boat trip from Marsaxlokk.  Prepare enough food and drinks you will enjoy St. Peter’s Pool a lot!

Pros

• Unique natural pool
• Crystal-clear blue water
• Snorkelling
• Not busy for tourist

Cons

• Not easy to reach by public transportation
• No facilities
• No catering

 

8. Paradise Bay

Paradise Bay is located at the top of the north edge of Malta Island. By the name you can image it is a beautiful small sandy beach with clear water.  Here, you can overlook the island of Gozo and sometimes meet Garra Rufa fish, which is used in Spas to clean the dead skin from the feet. Water is shallow at the beginning, gradually getting deeper. It’s a pretty bay to enjoy kayaking and snorkelling.  If you have enough energy, hiking along the sea coast is definitely worth it! Restaurant and bar are available at paradise bay.

Pros

• Sandy beach with clear blue water
• Water sports
• Sunbed, umbrella
• Facilities, toilets, parking
• Catering, restaurant and kiosks

Cons

• Can be packed during high season

 

9. St. Georges Bay

Because of its location, St Georges Bay certainly is one of the most popular beaches in Malta.  It is next to the island’s nightlife hub Paceville in St. Julians. Due to a rather commercial surrounding, you can easily find restaurants, bars, shops, a cinema, and casinos. The sand was imported and laid flat and makes the beach a perfect spot for lying down and relaxing. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available, as well as water sports.  It’s a Blue Flag certified beach, clean and safe. During Summer season, you will be protected by patrolling lifeguards.

Pros

• Blue Flag, lifeguards (seasonal)
• Easy to reach by public transportation
• Surround by entertainment facilities
• Water sports
• Sunbed, umbrella
• Facilities, toilets, parking, accessibility

Cons

• Can be packed during peek season
• Limited parking spots during peek season

 

10. Perched Beach, Bugibba

If you stay at Bugibba area and looking for a sandy beach, Perched beach is the one! At Bugibba, comparing to the other two rocky beaches Bugibba Front and Qawra Point, Perched beach is a smaller, man-made sandy beach. It is a Blue Flag beach with lifeguards’ patrol. The beach is very easy to access in the central area of Bugibba. Wheelchair users have a platform to head all the way down to the sea. Restaurants, shops, kiosks, and a hotel are next to the beach. Different water sports are available here, jet-ski, parasailing, inflatable water park, inflatable sofa etc.

Pros

• Blue Flag beach, lifeguards (seasonal)
• Very easy to access
• Wheelchair friendly
• Water sports
• All sorts of amenities can be found in this area
• Facilities, toilets, parking, accessibility
• Catering, restaurant and kiosks

Cons

• Small sandy beach

 

 

 

Maltese Beaches

 

Island of Malta

 

Anchor Bay

Armier Bay Beach

Bugibba Front

Bugibba Perched Beach

Balluta Bay Beach

Bahar ic-Caghaq Bay

Exiles

Font Ghadir Beach

Fomm ir-Rih Beach

Ghar Lapsi

Golden Bay Beach

Gnejna Bay Beach

Imgiebah Bay

Kalanka Bay

Little Armier Bay Beach

Mellieha Bay Beach (Ghadira beach)

Mistra Bay Beach

Paradise Bay Beach

Pretty Bay Beach

Qawra Point

Riviera Beach(Ghajn Tuffieha)

Rinnella Bay Beach

St.George’s Bay Beach

St. Peter’s pool

St. Thomas Bay

White Tower

 

Island of Comino

 

Bule lagoon, Comino

Crystal Lagoon, Comino

Santa Maria Bay, Comino

St.Nicholas Bay

 

Island of Gozo

 

Azura Window, Island of Gozo

Dwejra Inland Sea, Island of Gozo

Hondoq Ir- Rummien, Island of Gozo

Ir-Ramla beach, Island of Gozo

Marsalforn Bay, Island of Gozo

Wied il-Ghasri, Island of Gozo

San Blas Bay, Island of Gozo

Xatt-L-Ahmar

Xweini Bay, Island of Gozo

Xlendi Bay, Island of Gozo