Beaches & Swimming Spots

Golden sandy beaches, unique red sands and rocky shores across Malta, Gozo and Comino

Malta Gozo Comino
About Malta beaches: Most coastline is rocky limestone β€” sandy beaches are rarer but water quality is exceptional. Several beaches hold the Blue Flag award. Best months: May, June, September, October.
Visit the Blue Lagoon by boat

Day cruises from Sliema, St Julians and Cirkewwa. Free cancellation.

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Malta β€” Beaches & Swimming Spots

Golden Bay

Most popular Sandy

πŸ“ Mellieha NW Malta

Malta's most popular beach β€” 150m of golden sand with beach bars and sunset views. Walk 15 min to Ghajn Tuffiha from the same car park.

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Mellieha Bay

Best for families Sandy - Blue Flag

πŸ“ Mellieha NW Malta

Malta's largest sandy beach, very shallow β€” best for families with young children. Lifeguards, sunbeds and cafes on site.

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Ghajn Tuffiha Bay

Most scenic Sandy

πŸ“ Mellieha NW Malta

Malta's most scenic beach β€” dramatic clay cliffs and red-gold sand. Reached by 200 steps from Golden Bay car park. No facilities, bring supplies.

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Gnejna Bay

Quieter option Sandy

πŸ“ Mgarr NW Malta

Sheltered sandy bay with a traditional Maltese fishing atmosphere. Quieter than Golden Bay β€” a good alternative when main beaches are busy.

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Armier Bay

Views of 3 islands Sandy

πŸ“ Mellieha N Malta

Wide sandy bay with views of all three Maltese islands. Popular with local Maltese families with beach bars and a lively summer atmosphere.

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Little Armier

Local feel Sandy

πŸ“ Mellieha N Malta

Smaller cove next to Armier Bay. Very popular with Maltese locals who moor small boats here. Relaxed and authentic.

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Paradise Bay

Near Gozo ferry Sandy

πŸ“ Cirkewwa N Malta

Small sandy cove beside the Gozo ferry terminal. Combine a beach stop with a Gozo day trip. Good snorkelling on the rocky edges.

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White Tower Bay

Historic setting Sandy/Rocky

πŸ“ Mellieha N Malta

Beautiful northern beach near the 17th-century White Tower. Mix of sandy and rocky sections. Quieter than main Mellieha beaches.

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St Georges Bay

Near nightlife Sandy

πŸ“ St Julians Malta

Most convenient beach for visitors in St Julians or Sliema. Lively sandy bay with beach clubs, water sports and restaurants nearby.

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Balluta Bay

Pretty setting Rocky/Pebble

πŸ“ St Julians Malta

Charming bay in central St Julians with a picturesque chapel on the waterfront. Popular with locals for morning swimming.

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St Peters Pool

Best snorkelling Rocky

πŸ“ Marsaxlokk SE Malta

Natural horseshoe limestone pool β€” swim from flat rocks and dive from low cliffs into exceptionally clear water. Combine with Marsaxlokk fish market on Sundays.

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Pretty Bay

South coast gem Sandy - Blue Flag

πŸ“ Birzebbuga SE Malta

Largest sandy beach on Malta's south coast with Blue Flag water quality. A genuine local favourite often overlooked by tourists.

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Ghar Lapsi

Local favourite Rocky

πŸ“ Siggiewi SW Malta

Sheltered rocky lido on the south-west coast. Calm water, diving boards and a local restaurant. Minimal tourist development.

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Mistra Bay

Peaceful Rocky

πŸ“ St Pauls Bay Malta

Quiet sheltered cove in the north with calm clear water. Less known than the main beaches β€” good for a peaceful swim.

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Qawra Point

Easy access Rocky

πŸ“ St Pauls Bay Malta

Rocky swimming platforms on the edge of St Pauls Bay with plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby in the town.

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Anchor Bay

Popeye Village Rocky

πŸ“ Mellieha Malta

Rocky cove famous for being home to the Popeye Village film set β€” still open to visitors. Swimming and cinema history combined.

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Fond Ghadir

Hidden spot Rocky

πŸ“ Malta

Small rocky spot favoured by locals who know Malta well. Crystal-clear water and a genuinely off-the-beaten-path experience.

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St Pauls Bay

Resort town Rocky

πŸ“ St Pauls Bay Malta

Range of rocky swimming spots along the waterfront of this lively resort town. Convenient if staying in the area.

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Perched Beach

Scenic views Sandy

πŸ“ Malta

Scenic sandy spot with impressive views. A less-visited option that rewards with relative peace and beautiful scenery.

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The Edge Lido

Beach club Lido

πŸ“ Malta

Modern beach club with pools, sun decks and cocktail service β€” great when you want a structured beach club experience.

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Gozo β€” Beaches & Swimming Spots

Reached by 25-minute ferry from Cirkewwa. Beaches are wilder, less developed and much less crowded than the main island.

Ramla Bay

Unique red sand Sandy

πŸ“ Xaghra Gozo

Gozo's most famous beach β€” distinctive reddish-orange sand unique in the Mediterranean. Backed by green hills. Calypso Cave is a short walk above.

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San Blas Bay

Hidden gem Sandy

πŸ“ Nadur Gozo

Quieter sister to Ramla Bay with the same beautiful red sand. Harder to reach but far fewer crowds. No facilities β€” bring everything.

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Xlendi Bay

Village setting Rocky

πŸ“ Xlendi Gozo

Picturesque rocky inlet surrounded by restaurants and cafes. Excellent snorkelling in sheltered clear water. One of Gozo's highlights.

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Marsalforn Bay

Salt pans nearby Rocky

πŸ“ Marsalforn Gozo

Gozo's main resort town waterfront. The ancient salt pans still used for salt production are a short walk away.

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Wied il-Ghasri

Dramatic gorge Rocky

πŸ“ Ghasri Gozo

Dramatically narrow sea gorge β€” you swim into a cleft in the limestone cliffs with towering rock walls on either side. Spectacular.

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Dwejra Bay

World-class diving Rocky

πŸ“ San Lawrenz Gozo

Near the former Azure Window site. The Blue Hole dive site is one of Malta's best. A must-visit on any Gozo trip.

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Inland Sea

Tunnel boat trips Rocky

πŸ“ San Lawrenz Gozo

Unique tidal lagoon connected to the open sea by a tunnel through the limestone. Take a boat trip through the tunnel β€” spectacular.

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Mgarr ix-Xini

Hidden inlet Rocky

πŸ“ Xewkija Gozo

Stunning narrow inlet β€” remote, unspoilt, rarely crowded. Exceptional water clarity. Featured in the film By the Sea.

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Dahlet Qorrot

Authentic cove Rocky

πŸ“ Nadur Gozo

Charming rocky cove popular with local Gozitans. Boats moored here in summer give it an authentic relaxed atmosphere.

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Hondoq ir-Rummien

Photogenic Rocky/Pebble

πŸ“ Qala Gozo

Beautiful cove with crystal-clear water and views across to Comino. One of Gozo's most photogenic spots.

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Qbajjar

Pebbly north coast Pebble

πŸ“ Marsalforn Gozo

Pebbly cove just along from Marsalforn with a quieter local atmosphere. Ancient salt pans continue along this stretch.

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Kalanka Bay

Peaceful Rocky

πŸ“ Gozo

Quiet rocky bay offering peaceful swimming away from tourist spots. Clear water and unspoilt Gozitan landscape.

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Comino β€” Beaches & Swimming Spots

Uninhabited island reached by small ferry from Cirkewwa (~15 EUR return) or Sliema. No cars, no roads.

The Blue Lagoon

Most iconic Rocky

πŸ“ Comino

The most iconic swimming spot in Malta β€” turquoise water of astonishing clarity. Very busy in summer, take the first boat from Cirkewwa (~15 EUR return).

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St Nicholas Bay

Quieter option Sandy

πŸ“ Comino

Quieter sandy cove on Comino with far fewer visitors than the Blue Lagoon. The best alternative for those who find the Blue Lagoon too crowded.

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Sandy Beaches

  • Golden Bay, Mellieha Bay, Ghajn Tuffiha
  • Gnejna, Armier, Little Armier, Paradise Bay
  • White Tower, Pretty Bay, St Georges Bay
  • Perched Beach, Fomm ir-Rih
  • Ramla Bay, San Blas Bay (Gozo)
  • St Nicholas Bay (Comino)

Rocky Swimming Spots

  • Blue Lagoon, St Peters Pool, Ghar Lapsi
  • Balluta Bay, Qawra Point, Mistra Bay
  • Anchor Bay, Fond Ghadir, St Pauls Bay
  • Dwejra, Inland Sea, Wied il-Ghasri (Gozo)
  • Xlendi, Marsalforn, Mgarr ix-Xini (Gozo)
  • Dahlet Qorrot, Hondoq, Kalanka (Gozo)

Book a Blue Lagoon Cruise

Day cruises to Comino depart daily from Sliema, St Julians and Cirkewwa β€” includes swimming, snorkelling and sea caves. Free cancellation on most bookings.

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