Sandy beaches in Malta

Malta is an archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, so people swim on the islands almost everywhere. There are not many real beaches with sand – the islands are steep and rocky, and the entrance to the sea is often rocky.

There are three types of beaches in Malta and Gozo: pebble, stone, and sand. Blue flags fly over the beaches, a sign of cleanliness and safety. And there are beaches in Malta where the water is unrealistically turquoise.

Rocky beaches are not so convenient, but they are usually located near major tourist centers. They are often equipped with stairs and descents into the water, and the water is always clear and clean. Rocky beaches can be found in all popular tourist destinations: in Sliema, there are no other beaches there, there are places to enter the sea from a ladder in Valletta, but still, people do not go to the capital of Malta for swimming in the sea.

Let’s take a look at the best beaches, infrastructure, and accommodation in Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

I advise you to read it: Malta – how to plan a trip for 7 days

Sandy beaches of Malta

There are not many sandy beaches in Malta, but they do exist and there is a very different infrastructure around them. But for the most part, if you come to Malta for a seaside vacation, you can always find sand, a good hotel or apartment.

Mellich Beach

One of the largest sandy beaches on the island of Malta is the beach in Mellieha Bay. This is a large, gently sloping sandy beach, which is comfortable for families with children due to the long, shallow entrance to the sea. There are several outlets on the beachfront where you can buy refreshments and snacks. In summer, you can rent a sun lounger and umbrella.

And near the beach, on its northern side, there is the town of Mellieħa, which is mostly designed for beach tourists. There is a wide range of accommodation, restaurants, and it is easily accessible by bus from Valletta, St. Julian’s, and the airport.

Hotels in Mellikha:

Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa≫ – good location, near a bus stop, many restaurants, sea and church views.
Victoria by Petit Chic≫ – hotel 20 minutes to the beach, near restaurants, delicious breakfasts and a nice room.
Mellieha Bay (Ghadira) Apartment with Sea View≫ – two-bedroom apartment located by the sea, good accommodation for a family or a company of 4 people.

Golden beach in Golden Bay

Half an hour’s drive from Mellieħa Bay, on the opposite shore of the island, is another sandy and very popular beach– Golden Bay. The beach has a fairly wide sandy strip, there are several restaurants, and in summer part of the beach is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas (10 euros per set). There are several hotels near the Golden Beach where you can stay for a vacation. Golden Beach is easily accessible by bus from Valletta, or by car – there is paid parking.

I advise you to read it: Valletta in two days – what to do in and around the capital of Malta

Hotels on Golden Beach:

Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands≫ – The hotel was built in 2005 and is geographically located in a great location – away from the bustle of the city, between a rocky reserve and Golden Bay. The view from the hotel is great and the rooms are quite large. Easy access to the beach plus outdoor private pools. For winter recreation there is an indoor pool, sauna, and Jacuzzi.

Wild beaches of Ghajn Tuffieha, Qarraba Bay and Gnejna Bay

Near the Golden Beach there are two wild beaches in bays: Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, also known as the Riviera, and Qarraba Bay, a small and narrow beach that takes a long time to walk to from the bus stop. As well as the next beach in the Gnejna Bay, which can only be reached by car.

The sandy strip of these beaches is narrower than that of Golden Bay. To get to the Ghajn Tuffieha Bay beach, you will have to overcome 100 steps down (up on the reverse side). But it’s beautiful, there’s a small cafe, and a surf school.

Qarraba Bay is a wild beach without any infrastructure. But this is its value for those who do not want to see sun loungers and cafes on the beach.

Both beaches are easily accessible by bus from different cities on the island. For example, bus #44 runs to the Riviera and Ghajn Tuffieha stops from Valletta, bus #223 from Budjibba, and #225 from Sliema.

Birzebbuga beaches

If you want to live in a city with a complete infrastructure – hotels, restaurants, shops, and sandy beaches. Plus, to make it inexpensive and not far from Valletta, I advise you to look towards the town of Birżebbuġa. It is located half an hour by bus from the airport, 10 minutes by bus to the famous fishing town of Marshaslokk. But half an hour from the capital is Valletta.

There are two beautiful sandy beaches here. The first is the beach in Pretty Bay, which is quite large, with toilets, sun loungers and umbrellas in summer, and a nice playground near the beach. The only drawback is that some people may not like the view of the port facilities (but I’m okay with it). The second is a small beach in the bay of Triq ix-Xatt ta’ San Ġorġ, which is a boat parking lot. But you can swim here, although there is no infrastructure.

Hotels near the beaches of Birżebbuġa:

Luxurious Duplex Seafront Apt w Amazing Sea Views≫ – These new modern apartments are located on the 2nd floor, accessible by elevator. The windows overlook the park and a beautiful beach. The apartment is bright, spacious, well-equipped, with a large balcony and a roof terrace.
Pretty Bay Apartments≫ – apartment is located next to the beach with a nice terrace and sea views. There is a large free parking lot a 5-minute walk from the apartment.
Gospa 58 ≫ – amazing well-designed apartment with a wonderful balcony overlooking the beach and restaurants.

Sandy beaches of Gozo

Gozo also has several sandy beaches where you can relax by the sea. Gozo’s beaches are worth choosing the most beautiful one to your liking. There are also buses on this island if you don’t have a rental car and accommodation near the beaches where you can stay for a few days.

Find more information about vacations in Gozo: Gozo Island, Malta – what to do in two full days

Marsalforn Beach

The resort area in the town of Marsalforn near Marsalforn Beach is a good place to relax. A small but cozy sandy beach, a promenade with cafes and restaurants. Hotels and apartments line the bay, and there are a couple of shops in the town. This is a quiet resort, unlike similar ones on the island of Malta, and is perfect for those who do not like crowds and appreciate the opportunity to spend time at the sea and enjoy the countryside at the same time.

Nearby is Xwejni Bay, where you can also have a good time on a small pebble beach.

Hotels in Marsalforn:

Little Blue House≫ – is a beautiful, well-equipped house with toilets in every room for friends or family to relax in. The roof has a wonderful terrace with a beautiful view.
Lilly’s Sea view, beachfront apartment≫ – well-maintained apartment located right on the beach, fully equipped with all the necessary things and household appliances. In addition, there is a balcony with sea views where you can enjoy breakfast or a glass of wine.
Studio Apartment – Sea view≫ – The apartment has a great location, a magnificent sea view and all the necessary amenities. Upon check-in, guests are greeted with a bottle of wine.

Ramla Bay

If you want relative privacy, it is better to rent a car and move around the semi-wild beaches of Gozo. One of the nicest is Ramla Bay Beach with its mustard-colored sand. It has the most basic infrastructure: a small cafe, toilets, and a wide strip of sand, where stones are sometimes found. There is quite a lot of space here because not everyone gets to this beach because there are no buses.

Another somewhat wild one is the very small sandy beach of Hondoq ir-Rummien, located near the bay of Mġarr (ferries from Malta come here). There is a parking lot where cars from all over the island come, a small cafe and toilets. Given the size of the beach, it can be crowded. The sand here is white and clean, so the water is blue, like in the neighboring Blue Lagoon, which is located opposite on Comino Island.

Blue Lagoon on the island of Comino

One of the most popular sandy beaches is the Blue Lagoon, located between the small island of Comino and the very tiny Cominotto off the northern coast of Malta. The combination of clean water and dazzling white sand, a view of the open sea attracts a huge number of tourists during the season. Snorkeling along the grottoes surrounding the Lagoon with a snorkel and mask opens up a world of underwater beauty and colorful marine life. And in the spring there is almost no one here – seize the moment.

Pay attention: Malta to limit number of visitors to Blue Lagoon

If two islands are not enough, the third island, Comino, has a Blue Lagoon beach with clear blue-turquoise water and white sand. The beach is actually very small – the strip of sand is very small, and the rest of the island is also covered with sharp stones. The infrastructure is very primitive – a couple of snack bars on wheels, guys selling pineapple juice in pineapple cans for 3 euros, and in high season they can put up mobile toilets.

The water on this beach is incredibly beautiful, but everything else is a complete disadvantage. This island is visited by a huge number of tourists – the boat dock that brings tourists is located right next to the beach. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that there is very little space there, and there are a lot of people per square meter.

If possible, get to the island at dawn or late in the evening to spend the night in a tent. This is the only way to see it empty of people-before the crowds of tourists come here. You can sail to the island from the island of Malta – the city of Cirkewa, or from the island of Gozo – from the bay of Mgarr.

Useful links for traveling to Malta:

Car rental – I am looking for inexpensive options on Rentalcars.com
Booking hotels and apartments – traditionally on Booking.com
Travel insurance with discounts – online on the portal HotlineFinance
Excursions in Malta – book in advance on GetYourGuide
Buses in Malta and Gozo on the website of the transport company of Malta.
High-speed ferry from Malta to Gozo – tickets are available at the ticket office or online on the port’s website.

Sandy beaches in Malta