It is time for your summer holiday, and you have chosen Malta as your next destination? Are you searching for the best beaches in Malta? After spending a few summer months traveling around, here are our top picks in the country. In Malta the most beaches are rocky, but you can also find some beautiful sandy gems. All together, offer what people are looking for. Malta is a favorite destination for beachgoers, travelers, and scuba-diving lovers. Imagine yourself walking on the golden sand and swimming in the crystal blue water, or just drinking a strawberry Daiquiri while lying on the sunbed and watching the sunset. Oh, I really love these Maltese summer days! 

The best beaches in Malta awarded Blue Flag 

So, if you ask us what to do in Malta, we quickly tell you: “Escape the busy urban areas! (eh, after exploring the island’s main sightseeing points, of course). Instead, go to Malta, Gozo, and Comino’s rural parts and explore the magnificent natural beaches as soon as you can. Malta is a small island, but it has plenty of options for activities and beaches to go to during your vacation. Although some beaches can get pretty crowded, you will have a great experience if you go there at the right time. Choosing which ones to visit is difficult. So, we’ve created a list of the best beaches in Malta. You will find our favorites with personal recommendations and tips.

First, across the Maltese islands, 11 beaches in 2021 were awarded the International Blue Flag eco-label for Sustainable Development. These are Fond Ghadir, Westin Dragonara Beach Resort, St George’s Bay, Qawra Rock Beach, Bugibba Perched Beach, Ghadira Bay, Golden Sands Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla il Hamra Bay, Hondoq Bay, and Marsalforn Bay. This worldwide certification is given to beaches and marinas that are examples in four areas. These are:

– environmental protection and awareness,

– health and safety,

– sustainable beach management and accessibility,

– bathing water quality.

The International Jury considered the COVID pandemic and the restrictions on many of the Blue Flag beaches across the world. Malta and Gozo properly followed these restrictions keeping in mind the safety of beach users and maintaining COVID compliance. Bellow, we have mentioned which beaches in Malta have a Blue Flag Label.

Second, except for the awarded ones, there are some additional gems worth visiting. So, which one will you head to first? Let’s take a look now. Our favorite beach is the last one 🙂

The rocky Fond Ghadir Beach, Sliema (Blue Flag)

Tas-Sliema and St. Julian’s coastline is one of the most popular areas in Malta. It attracts a lot of tourists during the peak summer months (and not only). The area is perfect for beach lovers during the day and party people at night. During the day, the shoreline is ideal for swimming. Fond Ghadir is a rocky area, having deep waters for experienced swimmers and some shallow pools. It is dotted with holes in the rock used for sea salt production, which now are mainly used for sunbathing. You can find clear waters in the city area, near the biggest resorts in Malta – Sliema, St. Julian’s, and Paceville. Fond Ghadir is a convenient beach when you are staying in this region of the island. And the area provides you with a lot of opportunities for your free time. We love walking on the promenade in the evening or sitting in a cafe or a restaurant admiring the beautiful sea view and Maltese lights.

How to get there:

From Valletta, take bus 13 or 16 and in about 20 min stop at bus stop Ghadir. Other buses – 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 24.

Westin Dragonara Resort beach, St Julian’s (Blue Flag)

The beautiful Westin Dragonara Resort, overlooking the Mediterranean, is a great family-friendly place. It is a perfect option for romantic vacations in Malta, as well. The resort rests on Dragonara Peninsula, on the east side of the island in the heart of St. Julian’s. Here you can find two outdoor beach lidos, a large pool, children’s pools, an outdoor jacuzzi, and will have direct access to the Mediterranean through a few ladders. Diving and water sports are also available. It is a rocky beach (one of the best locally), offering you a fantastic relaxing stay.

How to get there:

From Valletta, take bus 13 or 16 and in about 30 min stop on bus stop Ross; after that, walk about 5 min. Other buses – 14, 120, 205.

The sandy beach St. George’s Bay, St. Julian’s (Blue Flag)

Another beautiful but small sandy beach is St. George’s Bay, perfect for all people who don’t like taking a long journey to get to the beach. It is actually a human-made beach (filled and cleaned with sand each year) in Malta’s main tourist and entertainment spots – St. Julian’s and Paceville. Big hotel resorts surround St. George’s bay as Hugo, InterContinental, or Marina Hotel Corinthia. Around, there are also all the things you could need for a day on the beach – kiosks, cafes, beach bars, restaurants. Lifeguards are there to take care of you. Keep in mind, it is a small sandy beach, and on summer days, this is one of the places that gets crowded quickly. So go there earlier to find a place for your towel.

How to get there:

From Valletta with bus 13 or 16 for about 30 minutes to bus stop San Giljan and about 5 minutes walking. Other buses – 12, 13, 14, 33, 202, 203, 205, 222, 233.

St. Peter’s Pool, Marsaxlokk – a natural swimming pool in Malta

St. Peter’s Pool is located on the East coast of Malta nearby the fishing village of Marsaxlokk. (If you have a chance, go there and have a delicious seafood lunch while enjoying the seaside view!) It is not a very popular beach among the tourists, with no facilities here, but locals often visit it. St. Peter’s Pool is a natural pool and a beautiful alternative to some of the more crowded beaches around. There’s no sand, but the rocks surrounding the azure waters have plenty of flat areas for sunbathing. This beach is lovely for cliff diving (if you want something more extreme and if you dare to jump), tanning, and even snorkeling due to its crystal clear waters.

How to get there:

From Valletta with bus 81 or 85 about 30 min to bus stop Abdosir and about 20 min walking. Getting to St. Peter’s Pool can be challenging, especially with public transport or walking from Marsaxlokk (around 30 min). However, you can find a parking place at the top of the cliff before going down to the pool area. So, getting there by car can be more convenient.

Qawra Point Beach, St Paul’s Bay (Blue Flag)

The next of the best beaches in Malta is – Qawra Point Beach. It is located along the rocky coast of the tourism capitals in the North of the island – Bugibba and Qawra. The coastline promenade from Salina Bay to St. Paul’s Bay offers some of the island’s best open sea views, also over St. Paul’s Island. The Qawra peninsula has been developed into a resort area with hotels along the coastline, and it is perfect for your next holiday. 

The shore is rocky, but the flat rocks provide places for sunbathing, with some swimmers’ access points. It’s also an excellent spot for snorkeling because of the exotic underwater life. If you stay in Bugibba, Qawra, or St Paul’s Bay area, it is a suitable place for bathing with lots of amenities and kiosks around. Or, if you want, you can go to the nearest perched artificial sandy beach located along the coastline at Bugibba. 

How to get there:

From Valletta with bus 45 for about 40 min to bus stop Ben and about 5 min walking or with bus 48 to bus stop Bugibba Bay and about 10 min walking. Other buses – 12, 223, 224, 401, X1, X3.

The sandy Bugibba Perched Beach, St Paul’s Bay (Blue Flag)

This spot in the tourist center of Bugibba is excellent for sunbathing and swimming in the clear Mediterranean waters, offering a large number of places to drink and eat in the town square nearby. Bugibba is a tourism area that needs a nice big sandy beach. So, it can provide a better holiday experience to its tourists. This need was why the Bugibba perched beach was created – a sandy beach artificially created over a rocky surface (the first of its kind in Malta.) So now it is a lovely place for the summer holidays.

How to get there:

From Valletta with bus 48, about 45 min to bus stop Sajf and about 5 min walking. Other buses – 12, 31, 221, 223, 224, X3, 401.

White Tower Bay (Armier Bay), Mellieha

You can find Armier Bay in the North of Malta. The bay has two sandy beaches, one known as Armier, the other as Little Armier. Neither of these beaches gets very busy in summer, although they’re pretty popular among the Maltese. White Tower Bay is a secret beach visited mostly by locals. The waters are clear and shallow, which makes it perfect for families. You can hire sun loungers and umbrellas, and there is a refreshment kiosk nearby. 

How to get there:

The bay is easy to reach by car by heading in the Gozo ferry direction. A public bus can also take you to Armier – from Valletta with bus 49 about 55 min to bus stop Xmajjar. However, expect an around 20-minute walk after that. 

Visit the Paradise Bay, Mellieha

Paradise Bay is a small sandy beach with crystal clear waters located in the North of Malta, close to Mellieha. It is family-friendly with easy entry to shallow water that slowly becomes deeper. The beach is in a natural cove. It is peaceful, surrounded by high cliffs, with great views of the nearby islands of Gozo and Comino. There are many snorkeling spots around the beach with excellent underwater points and exciting sea life. So, get your snorkels with you, and let’s explore the area. Paradise Bay attracts the younger among locals, and sometimes on weekends, you will see them organizing parties. Many locals love visiting the beach to watch the sunset, too.

How to get there:

From Valletta with bus 42 or 41, about 55 min to bus stop Musa and about 15 min walking.

The secluded beach Fomm Ir-Rih Bay, Mgarr

Fomm Ir-Rih beach is a little gem that you can find in Malta. Famous for diving and snorkeling, the route to this pebbly bay is via a steep, rocky, and slippery path from the village of Bahrija. The way back can be challenging due to the route. Therefore, we don’t recommend a visit to this bay for children or the elderly. Once at the beach, enjoy the clear, deep waters (perfect for swimming when it is calm) and pastoral views of the surrounding valleys and cliffs.

How to get there:

From Valletta with bus 44 to Mgarr, then with 101 to Gnejna for about 50 min, and about 30 min walking.

Another top, sandy beach – Ghadira Bay (Mellieha Bay), Mellieha (Blue Flag)

Mellieha Bay or Ghadira Bay is between two headlands in the North of Malta. It is one of our favorite beaches in Malta with a lovely sea view from the area around. It is also the largest sandy beach in Malta and one of the most popular. The beach is very easily accessible, even with public transport. It is preferred by families with children, making it crowded quickly, mostly on weekends and holidays. The water around the beach increases slowly and allows children to play without fear. In addition, it gives you the chance to walk into the sea due to the long sand line that stretches along the beach. 

The area has plenty of kiosks, cafes, and bars and offers a picnic area. You can also hire equipment to practice water sports such as kayaking, water skiing, windsurfing, and banana boating. Beach management operates between June and September. It includes lifeguards, a small First Aid clinic, and beach supervisors.

On the one side of Mellieha Bay, you can see the Red Tower. High on the opposite side is situated the old village of Mellieha. Behind Mellieha Bay is the Nature Reserve, where you can find local flora and fauna. The area is also popular with bird watchers who study local and migratory birds.

How to get there:

From Valletta with bus 41 or 42, about 50 min to bus stop Ghadira. 

Everyone loves this beach – Golden Bay Beach, Mellieha (Blue Flag)

We can’t miss this beach. Another favorite beach among the locals and tourists is the Golden Bay Beach, which got its name from the gold-colored sand. Easily accessible by public transport, this beach offers plenty of facilities and is the perfect place for families to enjoy sunbathing. Golden Bay area has all you need for the day. You can hire sun loungers and umbrellas. If you want to bite something, you can go to the beach restaurant offering delicious dishes at affordable prices or the restaurant near the bus stop before the beach entrance. If you want some cheaper drinks and snacks, you can buy them from the little shop on the hill, behind the beach.

The area is so beautiful. The bay is part of Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park and a Natura 2000 site. You will see the large Radisson Blue Resort on one of the cliffs, but the rest of the beach surroundings are unspoiled, providing a great view. Golden Bay is a popular place for barbeques, mainly on Friday and Saturday evenings. 

There are lots of water sports opportunities for sports enthusiasts – banana boating, water bikes, jet ski, scuba diving, or you can go for a trip to Blue Lagoon. There is usually room for games such as football, volleyball, or badminton on the wide beach, too. Beach management operates from June to September with lifeguards and other beach staff.

How to get there:

If you decide to head to this beach, get there early in the morning because it gets crowded quickly. We went there for the first time in the middle of May. Our group of four took Bolt from Gzira to Mellieha for 25 EUR. Next time we used public transport for 2 EUR (the ticket price during the summer season for 2 hours trip). So the choice is yours. 

From Valletta, take bus 44 for about 45 min to bus stop Ghajn Tuffieha Bus Terminus. From Sliema, take bus 225 to the last stop. There is also paid parking directly to the beach and one further near the bus stop, but it’s hard to find a place if you go later. Other buses – 44, 101, 102, 223, 224, 225, 21, 22, 24.

The best sandy beach in Malta – Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Mgarr (Blue Flag)

Near Golden Bay in the North West of Malta, you can find another fantastic but not very big sandy beach – Ghajn Tuffieha (Riviera), probably the most beautiful beach on the island. When you arrive here, don’t be shocked. You must pass more than 100 steps to the beach, which can be challenging on your way back. Or you can go around a tiny road, which will bring you to the other side of the bay. But the beach is worth visiting. With very smooth and pleasant sand, clear waters, and pure nature around, this beach will be a perfect place for your day off. Ghajn Tuffieha is generally safe for swimming, but beach management of lifeguards and safety ropes will help you stay safe. 

The hillside behind it is a natural park. The area is unspoiled and undeveloped but has the facilities you need to enjoy a day on the beach. The only restaurant on the beach is Sangita, offering sunbeds and umbrellas and a lovely sea view from its terrace. About the food… eh, a little bit overpriced food and drinks (for example, a glass of Mohito is 8 EUR), but you don’t have other opportunities.)

On the one side of the Ghajn Tuffieha Beach, you can enjoy the view from the rocks – a unique and very romantic place. It is impressive, especially at sunset, when the sun goes down into the sea. However, be careful here – the site has no borders, and it is a little bit dangerous. On the left side, you see Ghajn Tuffieha beach, and on the right – Golden bay – two of the island’s most popular and stunning beaches. 

On the other side of Ghajn Tuffieha, you can go uphill to a peaceful place with a great panorama view of Gnejna Bay. Close to the rural village of Mgarr, Gnejna Bay is quieter than the nearby Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha beaches. It offers golden-colored sand and a flat rock ideal for sunbathing. 

Ghajn Tuffieha is a famous beach and one of the favorites among tourists. So, usually, it gets busy fast. But it is a must-visit place in Malta.

How to get there:

Ghajn Tuffieha’s location makes the beach less crowded than its neighbor, Golden Bay. The beach offers limited parking, but you can reach it by bus (bus stop Riviera if you come with 225 from Sliema). From Valletta with bus 44, about 45 min to bus stop Mixquqa and about 10 min walking. Other buses – 44, 101, 102, 223, 224, 225, 21, 22, 24. 

Hey, hopefully, the guide and the resources listed above will come in handy when planning your vacation to the Maltese islands. We will be happy to hear about your experience in Malta. Please share them in the comments below.