Malta & Gozo’s best beaches at a glance

Beaches

Not sure which beach to visit? Here are Malta and Gozo's best beaches at a glance.

Lisa Borain

At a glance

You can't go far in Malta or Gozo without hitting a beach. So with so many beaches available, how can you choose which are the best ones to visit? We bring you the best beaches at a glance, so that you can hit a glorious bay in virtually any location you find yourself.

Lisa Borain

Mellieha Bay (also known as Ghadira Bay)

Located in the north of Malta, Mellieha Bay is Malta’s largest and most popular beach in the summer time. The bay is roughly 800m long and is a hive of activity with all the visitors, water sports options, restaurants, kiosks, and cafes along the way.

@mlore_don

Golden Bay Beach, Mgarr

Set within a cliff face in the northwest, Golden Bay is one of Malta's most popular sandy beaches. Located along a still unspoiled and undeveloped countryside, the sand here is a lovely golden colour, which contrasts against the bright blue sea, making for a lovely site. This is a great beach for the whole family, and for those who love water sports or snorkelling.

viewingmalta.com

Ghajn Tuffieha Bay (also known as Riviera), Mgarr

A red beach a short distance south of the ever-popular Golden Bay, but which tends to be frequented more by locals than tourists. Visitors should definitely be aware that there’s a staircase of 200 steps that needs to be descended (and then ascended to get back up). Still intact on top of the cliffs west of Ghajn Tuffieha bay is an old defence tower, which was built in 1637 by Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris, of the Knights Hospitaller.

viewingmalta.com

Gnejna Bay

This mostly sandy bay is located about a kilometre from the village of Mgarr on the western coast of Malta. It's interesting to know that the secluded strip of shore under the steep cliff on the northern side of the bay is a nudist beach (although the practice is illegal in Malta). Gnejna is notable for its striking clay slopes and limestone cliffs, which serve as the headlands for one of Malta's few remaining perennial freshwater springs.

Pauline Dingli - viewingmalta.com

St George's Bay, St Julian's

A busy beach within walking distance of Malta's busiest entertainment district. A convenient beach for a swim if you're in between learning English or carrying out meetings. Surrounded by hotels, restaurants, clubs and language schools, this bay is especially popular with tourists visiting during the summer months. Not the beach to go to if you're looking for a bit of serenity!

@c.0603

Sliema coastline - Qui-si-Sana, Ghar id-Dud, Fond Ghadir

The Sliema coastline is easy to walk because it's a long, relatively flat and smooth rocky beach. It's fun to walk because there's a lot going on around, since it's smack in the middle of an urban area and populated with restaurants, cafes and shops along the promenade above. There are a few beach clubs here, but there's also a lot of public, free space.

Jürgen Scicluna / MTA - viewingmalta.com

Paradise Bay, Mellieha

A well kept beach in the north, Paradise Bay has everything an avid beach goer could want, except there are quite a number of steep stairs to get to it. Something to think about if you have small children - you definitely wouldn't want to have to carry a little one up the steps after a long day at the beach!

viewingmalta.com

Saint Thomas Bay, Marsascala

A large bay with smaller sandy banks, this somewhat quiet and peaceful bay in the south offers flat rocks and concrete platforms next to each other, which are perfect for sun worshippers. This bay is also hugely popular with windsurfers.

@cere_ale

Dahlet Qorrot, Nadur, Gozo

A small inlet nestled between the northern cliffs of Gozo not far from Nadur, there's a small pebbly beach to swim off here, as well as a quayside and rocks on either side of the bay, taking you straight into clear, deep water.

viewingmalta.com

Hondoq ir-Rummien, Qala, Gozo

Situated directly opposite the tiny island of Comino, Hondoq ir-Rummien is reached through the village of Qala in Gozo. The small, sandy beach and crystal clear waters make this a popular swimming place amongst locals. It's also a favourite spot for scuba diving learners, since it's sheltered and the water visibility is good.

@globetrotter_malta

Ramla Bay, Xaghra, Gozo

Easily accessible by car through Nadur or Xaghra, Ramla Bay is the largest beach on the island of Gozo. The entire stretch of unspoilt beach is a spread of red sand. The sea is shallow, which means that a brilliant light blue colour meets the red sand in stunning contrast. There's a history here too: The Knights of St John fortified Ramla l-Hamra against enemy intrusion by constructing Vendome battery, and in 1715, built a submerged wall to deter pillaging pirates from landing on the beach.

Samson Leguesse - viewingmalta.com

San Blas Bay, Nadur, Gozo

Another pretty beach of red sand, San Blas is a little sister to Ramla Bay, and is naturally peaceful. Located on the northeast coast of Gozo, San Blas Bay lies at the end of one of the most beautiful fertile valleys of Gozo, with no developments to obstruct the spectacular view.

viewingmalta.com

Written by

Lisa Borain

Lisa is a copywriter/editor with an adventurous interest and penchant for all things Malta.

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