The best beaches in Malta

The Blue Lagoon (whose official name is the Fliegu Strait) is a narrow stretch of sea separating the island of Comino from Cominotto. The Blue Lagoon is not a beach in the strict sense, but it is bordered by two beaches: Comino Beach and Cominotto Beach. Two small beaches facing each other and less than 100 meters apart if you swim across.

Both beaches at the Blue Lagoon are very small, just a few meters, with fine, white sand. If these are considered Malta’s most beautiful beaches, it is primarily because of the site’s exceptional setting, an environment that is undeniably part of the must-see visits in Malta.

It’s a unique location with turquoise waters giving it a Caribbean or Bora-Bora feel. However, space is limited there, and it is highly visited in the high season. During the summer, the area is overcrowded with visitors and yachts; it is very difficult to find a small spot of sand in the high season, yet the setting remains unique and is not to be missed.

Comino is easily accessible from Malta’s main island by ferry from the Ċirkewwa terminal or from Gozo Ferries if you are staying on the neighboring island. Numerous boat cruises to the Blue Lagoon are also available all year round to discover the beauty of the place.

Għajn Tuffieħa Bay, better known as Riviera Beach, is located right behind the popular Golden Bay. For many, Riviera Beach is considered Malta’s most beautiful beach, with its ocher sand and turquoise water. It is also popular for its sunsets.

Riviera Beach is a very beautiful beach, but it’s one you have to earn, as it sits below a staircase of 180 steps. The descent to the beach is challenging, which has the advantage of making it less crowded than neighboring beaches but should be avoided by people with reduced mobility.

For the more adventurous, between two swimming sessions, it’s recommended to hike up the hill overlooking Għajn Tuffieħa on foot. This is an exceptional vantage point from which to admire the surrounding landscape.

Golden Bay, whose real name is "Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa", is undoubtedly the most popular beach in Malta. The downside is that it is also one of the island’s most touristy and crowded beaches. On top of that, you have hundreds of holidaymakers from the huge Radisson complex that overlooks it. Golden Bay deserves its popularity: it’s a very beautiful beach with golden sand, well-served, easy to access, and well-equipped with showers, toilets, and several bars and restaurants right on the sand. In summer, however, it is advisable to arrive early to find a spot for your towel.

It is worth noting that Golden Bay is an exposed beach; the water can therefore sometimes be choppy, especially in winter, and the sea there can also be slightly murky due to the waves. As a fun fact, the beach occasionally experiences small waves of about 30 cm to 1 meter, making it one of the few beaches in Malta where you can surf on rare occasions.

Ramla Bay, also known as Ramla Beach, is considered the most beautiful beach in Gozo. It has preserved its wild character and surprises with the color of its sand, shifting between copper and orange throughout the day, earning it the nickname “the red beach”.

The clear, shallow waters make Ramla Bay a very popular place for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

In the middle of the beach, you can discover the statue of the Virgin and Child, erected to protect swimmers and sailors. Overlooking Ramla Bay is also Tal-Mixta Cave, famous for its breathtaking views of the bay, an iconic spot very popular with photographers.

It’s hard to miss the St George’s Bay Beach, more commonly referred to as the beach of Saint Julian's. The beach is located just below Malta’s liveliest and most raucous district: Paceville.

St George’s Bay is a small, charming bay that’s ideal for swimming but often overcrowded, especially during peak season, due to numerous young language-school students and tourists staying in nearby hotels. This vibrant beach is perfect for young people but not recommended for families and children. Saint Julian's Beach also offers plenty of water sports and fun activities, such as parasailing or jet-ski rental.

Qarraba Bay is a unique and spectacular beach in Malta, but beware, it is very difficult to access or even inaccessible. The beach is located just behind Għajn Tuffieħa Beach, at the foot of clay slopes; there is no direct connection between the two beaches unless you tumble down the hills.

The only way to reach the beach is by boat or possibly by following the coast from Gnejna Beach. Don’t risk climbing down the cliffs. Its isolation makes it a very wild spot, perfect for those seeking peace and preserved nature, far from tourist beaches.

For the lucky ones who do manage to get there, it offers an isolated setting that will give you the impression of having your own semi-private beach, in a breathtaking environment.

Għadira Bay, also known as Mellieħa Bay, is the largest and liveliest beach in Malta. It is located in the north of the island, below the famous St. Agatha’s Tower (Red Tower).

Mellieħa Beach is a multi-service beach: snacks, bars, restaurants, water sports, floating inflatable structures, sunbed, and umbrella rentals, etc. It’s a beach where you can find everything except tranquility. It is a very beautiful beach, supervised during high season, ideal for families with children. Its shallow waters extending over several dozen meters make it particularly safe and perfect for families with young children.

Ġnejna Bay is a lovely bay with a fine sandy beach, continuing on from Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha Bay. It is one of the most popular beaches among the Maltese, who frequently gather there for picnics and barbecues.

A pretty beach that is relatively remote; the easiest way to get there is by car or possibly by one of the few buses that serve it. Its golden cliffs offer a preserved natural setting, perfect for relaxing away from the most crowded beaches.

Hondoq Ir-Rummien is a small cove with a tiny lagoon, crystal clear waters, and a small beach sheltered by cliffs. The beach, a mix of fine sand and small pebbles, is located on Gozo, the secondary island of the Maltese archipelago.

It is a lovely beach, slightly off the beaten track and not very crowded; however, its size limits the number of towels on the ground, making it a prime spot for anyone staying in Gozo. The place is also popular among snorkeling enthusiasts, with beautiful seabeds easily accessible just a few meters from the beach.

The small bay known as “Paradise Bay” and its eponymous beach are located a short distance from Cirkewwa, where you can catch the ferry to Gozo. Paradise Bay is ideal for snorkeling. The water is clear, offering the opportunity to observe a variety of fish and marine life.

The beach is suitable for everyone, it’s easy to access and is equipped with a restaurant (Paradise Bay Lido) overlooking it. A well-equipped beach with showers, toilets, and deckchair rentals, perfect for spending the day in a calmer environment than the big popular beaches of the archipelago. The atmosphere is more relaxed and less touristy.