With over 155 miles of coastline, 300 days of sunshine a year, dry hot summers and warm autumns, Malta is undoubtedly a great place for sun and sea. ‘Beach’ here is a broad term that refers to everything from traditional bucket-and-shovel sandy shores to a shoreline of rough rocks that drop directly into deep blue waters perfect for a decent snorkel. Both can be amazing – but it helps to know which one you’re getting! Malta has some of the Mediterranean’s clearest waters, well-equipped beaches and pristine bays.
Below you’ll find our beach and swimming recommendations, with advice on how to get to each location – we’ve also got guides to spending a weekend in Valletta, Malta’s best hotels, the island’s best restaurants, biggest attractions and the best of the bar scene .
Find beaches by area
Northern Malta
Golden Gulf
A wide sandy beach well defined by its name, Golden Bay has pristine cliffs on one side and a modern five-star resort hotel – Radisson Blu Resort and Spa, Golden Sands – on the other. There is plenty of space for beach games, except on summer weekends when it can get very crowded. Clear blue Mediterranean waters embrace a smooth but rather steeply shelved shore that allows for swimming close to the beach. It is excellent in good weather (mostly in Malta, especially mid-June to mid-September) but beware of currents after bad weather. During peak season, flags and lifeguards ensure the safety of susceptible individuals. Water sports and all the work make this a great place for a beach-centric holiday.
Getting there: Bus to Golden Bay – numbers 44, 223, 225
Ghajn Tuffieha
This hidden area of Blue Flag red sand is a favorite of those in the know. Although it is just one bay away from Golden Bay (which has similar concerns following bad weather), it is quite different. Away from roads and modern construction, the long steps to the parking lot and bus stop keep the (other) crowds at bay. Ghajn Tuffieha is protected and managed by an environmental NGO, but they allow a small kiosk to rent sun loungers and water sports equipment. A nice place to relax and swim.
Getting there: Bus to Golden Bay – numbers 44, 223, 225
Mellieha Bay
800 meters of soft yellow sand gently sloping towards transparent waters make this one of Malta’s most popular beaches, especially for families. Also known as Ghadira Bay, this bay has all the amenities: cafes, bars, toilets, sun loungers, umbrellas and water sports from windsurfing to banana boats – and is also close to many resort hotels. The main road runs behind the beach; It has less views than the sea view, but it means you can easily get there by public transport. The water is sandy and shallow and remains warm until autumn.
Getting there: Bus to Mellieha Bay – numbers X1, 41, 42, 221, 222, 101
Paradise Bay
Malta’s northern ‘hammerhead’ and the best of the beaches along the Gozo channel, Paradise Bay is a stretch of golden sand next to clear blue waters, with a welcoming cafe and attractive views of Malta’s smaller islands of Comino and Gozo. It’s a bit close to the Gozo ferry terminal but is still supported by vegetation. It’s also convenient for resort hotels on this beach and attracts local crowds on summer weekends.
Getting there: Bus to Paradise or Arax – numbers 41, 42, 222. The stop is about 10 minutes walk from the beach.
Bugibba Perched Beach
This largely rocky Blue Flag ‘beach’ is located in the heart of Malta’s main mass market holiday area. During the summer months, sunbathers gather along the cliffs here, and there are many places to dive into clear, deep water. Swimming is safe and popular in nice weather; However, it is not recommended if the sea is very wavy (which is almost never the case in summer). Backed by a long parade of shops, bric-a-brac, fast-food, pubs and restaurants, this ‘beach’ is also the home of Malta’s excellent National Aquarium. Bugibba Water Park provides fun fountains and taps for kids to play in, and the popular Cafe del Mar is a beach club by day and nightclub by evening. There is also a small man-made sandy area next to Dolmen Hotel.
Getting there: Bus to Bugibba (multi-service)
Sliema / St Julians / Paceville
St George’s Bay
Located in the heart of Malta’s party capital, Paceville, this Blue Flag beach is the closest beach to the St Julian’s resort. It is periodically filled with imported sand and kept clean and tidy by the Intercontinental Hotel, which reserves one end for its own guests. The rest is open to the public and can get very crowded in the summer months as it is backed by bars, clubs and fast food venues. But the water is as silky and transparent as anywhere in Malta. A day at the beach with a cocktail in hand.
Getting there: Bus 14 to St George’s Bay Beach, Paceville
Sliema Beach
Stretching along Sliema’s two-mile coastline, this rocky shore is the center of Sliema life in the summer months. Sunbathers camp near a flat boulder or steps leading to the water that dot the shoreline. Swimming here is directly in the deep blue waters and is ideal for confident swimmers and snorkelers. For your safety, take your lead from where locals swim and do not swim off the rocks in windy weather. There are many cafes, bars and restaurants on both sides of the beach, as well as several beach clubs and beaches. The once elegant promenade, now backed by modern apartment blocks and hotels, is the place for summer holidays, with Maltese couples and families strolling up and down in the evenings as the weather cools.
Getting there: Ferry from Valletta and short walk along Sliema Peninsula or bus (multi-service) to Tower Road, Sliema
South/Southeast Coast
Peter’s Pool
Tucked away on the Delimara Peninsula, this once semi-secret hideaway has recently become popular and boats now depart from Marsaxlokk from here. A lovely little sun trap, a five minute walk from the road (signposted) through small agricultural fields along a path lined with caper bushes. Once there, you can expect a small, enclosed bay with rock pools and easy access (in calm weather) to inviting, clear, deep waters. The rocks are flat enough for sunbathing, but some can be sharp, so water shoes are useful. There are no facilities so make sure you at least bring water.
Getting there: No public transport nearby: best to come by boat, car or taxi
Gar Lapsi
A favorite with locals, this rocky swimming spot on the south coast is the perfect stop for lunch and diving if you’re visiting the Mnajdra and Hagar Qim temples or Dingli Cliffs and ‘Clapham Junction’. The rocks here form small protected hatches, perfect for cooling off in calm weather (it’s not safe to swim here if there are waves). The width of the concrete bank is less attractive but the water is still excellent. Several restaurants and a popular route for rock climbing overlook the bay. You can laze on the beach and watch the tiny figures crawling like spiders on the shiny gray rock.
Getting there: Bus 109 to Ghar Lapsi
comino
Blue Lagoon
Malta’s best swimming spot, the luminous Blue Lagoon, lies between the tiny island of Comino and the even smaller, cave-carved islet of Cominotto, just off the north coast. Daily boats run here from both Malta and Gozo. There used to be one hotel on Comino and there will be again, but it is currently closed for extensive renovations and there is no clear timeline. Swimming in the Blue Lagoon is as magnificent as its fame. Glide over perfectly clear water over white sands or snorkel over seaweed or at the entrance of caves. During the summer months the small amount of land becomes a sardine can and the shade is very high, so come prepared or visit with a boat that will stay all day.
Getting there: The closest departure point to the Blue Lagoon in Malta is Cirkewwa. Return journey costs around €15 (£13), children under 13 half price or less, under five free; Book online during busy times, but you’re welcome to drop in too. Day trips are also available from Sliema, Mellieha and Gozo
Gozo
Ramla Bay
The red sandy Ramla bay, with its lantern-like white Madonna rising from the sand, is one of Malta’s best beaches. On the quieter island of Gozo (half an hour by ferry from northern Malta, 45 minutes by fast ferry from Valletta) is a gorgeous stretch of pristine beach backed by protected dunes and a few hidden cafes. Maybe start with the cliff-top panorama of the bay from the platform of the now-collapsed Calypso Cave (who could blame Ulysses for a seven-year break here?!), before descending to sea level and diving into the clear blue waters.
Getting there: From Gozo’s Mgarr port, where both ferries arrive, bus 322 will drop you off a few minutes’ walk from the beach. Buses generally run slightly less frequently on Gozo than on the main island.
