The Best Beaches to Visit in Malta

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A broad, sandy beach on the edge of Mellieħa, Golden Bay has a lot of space to play. It is one of the most popular beaches in Malta, with lots of inlets and coves to explore. It can get fairly busy during peak summer months. Lifeguards patrol the beach and flags tell you where it’s safe to swim.

Close to Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha is a smaller, protected and less frequented beach which can only be reached by climbing down a flight of 100 steps. The red-sand beach is flanked by beautiful scenery and offers incredible views of the surrounding cliffs. Ghajn Tuffieha has only a few amenities, including a bar and sun lounger hire, but is perfect if you’re looking for a less crowded option.

Mellieha Bay is one of the best beaches if you’re visiting with young children. The beach here slopes gently into the water and stays shallow for some distance. There are plenty of amenities here, including cafes, bars and sun umbrellas. Various water sports are available, including kayaking, waterskiing, windsurfing and banana boating. Because the beach here is sandy and the water is shallow, the sea stays fairly warm well into the autumn months, making Mellieha Bay a great option for off-season travellers.

Daħlet Qorrot is a small, rocky beach that’s perfect for snorkelling. There is a small snack bar during the summer months and during the winter this is a peaceful spot to relax and watch the waves. If you like spending most of your time in the water, this is the perfect place for you.

Dwejra Bay in Gozo is a beautiful small bay with natural pools created by erosion of the rocks and the Azure Window, one of Malta’s most famous geological creations. There are some amazing cave diving sites in the area which are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving. If you’re swimming, however, keep to the smaller pools in the rocks, as the waves around the Azure Window can get very rough in high winds.

Close to the village of Mġarr, Ġnejna Bay is quieter than the nearby Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha beaches. The sand is a rich golden colour and to the right-hand side of the main beach there is an area of flat rock, which is ideal for sunbathing. It’s a peaceful spot.

Popular with snorkellers because of its deep, clear water and small caves, Hondoq ir-Rummien on Gozo has wonderful views over the island of Comino. The coastline near the beach is dotted with natural salt pans, where in summer, you can see people harvesting sea salt. Access to the sea is tricky (or indeed impossible) if you have mobility issues, as you have to climb down a ladder. The beach is small, white and sandy and is protected from the waves by a small promontory.

Mistra Bay has a rich history dating back to the Phoenician era, which ran from about 750BCE. There are a number of caves in the area that were used as burial sites, for refuge, as shelter or to monitor the bay. There is a small alcove in the beach, which now shelters a variety of plant species. Fish pens are visible on the outer parts of the bay and a military battery built by the Order of the Knights of St John – who arrived in Malta during the 1500s and ruled for 250 years – is visible on the edge of the cliff.

Known as the prettiest beach on Gozo island, Ramla Bay has vivid golden-red sands, which are soft under foot, and clear water with wild waves. The beach, which is popular with tourists, has a cafe, bar and an ice-cream truck. As with most places in Gozo, it is difficult to reach Ramla Bay if you don’t have a car, although there is a fairly regular bus service that stops nearby. If you tire of lounging on the beach, there are lovely coastal walks in both directions.

With Caribbean-style waters and remote island setting, Blue Lagoon has to be one of the most visually stunning beaches in Malta. Located on the island of Comino, which only has five permanent residents, it can get crowded in the height of summer. The white, sandy beach is small but there are a number of large, flat rocks dotted about, which are perfect for sunbathing. And if you do go in the water, make sure you keep to the right side of the rope, as the lagoon is busy with tour boats and private yachts.