It’s sizzling hot and the only thing you want to do is chill out on the beach. What better way to do that than on an island? And not just any island, but one that lies in the middle of the sapphire blue sea! Malta! Famous for its pristine beaches, this tiny rock is the place to be if the only serious work you want to do is on your tan! Read on to find out more about the best beaches in Malta.
St. Thomas Bay
Located in the Southeast of the island, this bay surrounds the town of Marsascala.
The rocky part of this bay tends to be overlooked by many tourists due to the rundown building beside it. This makes it an even more ideal spot for swimming or sunbathing as it is generally quiet and not as crowded as other beaches. You will also be met by a pretty view of the salt pans which glisten in the sunlight.
After your swim in the evening, you could enjoy a stroll along the promenade. As for bars and restaurants, these are not plentiful, but the closer you get to the town of Marsascala, the more choice there is. We would recommend ordering a pizza from BosStakes or bringing your own sandwiches. Be sure to do your part to save the seas and take any litter home with you!
How to Get There by Bus:
Valletta to Marsascala (St. Thomas Bay) – Bus Number 91
Wied iz-Zurrieq
Part of this rocky beach is nestled in a valley but one can swim out into the open waters while enjoying a view of Filfla. This beach has all the amenities and is perfect for spending a day at the seaside as there are restaurants and public toilets close by.
The view is incredible! Even the area surrounding the beach is pretty. On land you’ll be able to see the traditional Maltese boats that burst with colour. Under the sea must be spectacular too! We’re no divers but it appears that the area is also popular for diving. All in all, this beach makes for a great day out and you can catch the sunset there as well!
How to Get There by Bus:
Valletta to Zurrieq – Bus Number 74 + walk downhill
Bugibba Beach
The sandy area of this beach is great for kids, but if you’d like a more secluded spot, head to the rocky side. Be careful which direction you take to reach it though. Like many other visitors who complain about this beach, we made the mistake of walking over the jagged rocks to get to the sea.
As soon as we got there, we realised that there was a much safer way to it. From the promenade, DO NOT take the left bend around the ice-cream parlour. DO take the path that leads to the parking area which overlooks the beach. This is situated on the right-hand side of the ice-cream parlour and will save you the risk of twisting an ankle over the treacherous rocks along the coast.
How to Get There by Bus:
Valletta to Qawra / Bugibba – Bus Number 45
Qawra Beach
This is by far the most accessible of all beaches and the one with the most amenities. It is highly popular with tourists and locals alike because hotels, apartments and resorts line the coast. But if you pick your time and spot wisely, you’ll have a relaxing time. Once you’ve taken a dip, you can enjoy dinner in one of the numerous restaurants along the promenade.
How to Get There by Bus:
Valletta to Qawra / Bugibba – Bus Number 45
Riviera Beach (Ghajn Tuffieha)
This sandy beach can be quite a challenge to get to. We counted over 150 steps to the bottom (and if you go down, you must go up!) so this bay is not for the faint-hearted. Watch out for the flags that indicate how safe the waters are – this beach is known for its undercurrents, which can be life-threatening. Do not try to brave the weather at this beach – it can be extremely dangerous. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire too if you’d like to spend the whole day here.
Golden Bay (Ghajn Tuffieha)
This bay is to the right of Riviera beach and can be the better choice for those who do not wish to attempt the Stairs Challenge. There are a few restaurants close by. Food tends to be overpriced here so we would recommend bringing your own if you are travelling on a budget. Parking can be a problem and the hill is very steep, so you might wish to find a parking spot on the flat terrain. This sandy beach can be more crowded but requires less effort to reach.
The view is breath-taking and the sunset can be mesmerising. Sunsets in Santorini do not hold a candle to sunsets in Malta 😉 just kidding, we loved watching the sunset there as much as we did in Malta.
How to Get There by Bus:
Valletta to Ghajn Tuffieha – Bus Number 44
Fond Ghadir – Sliema
This rocky beach is perfect for visitors staying in the Sliema / St. Julian’s area as it is within walking distance of most hotels / apartments. There is a flight of stairs leading down to it and plenty of space to sunbathe. There is a kiosk (il-Gabbana) by the stairs, so if you get peckish, grab a bite to eat from here. If not, enjoy a chilled drink and soak up the stunning sea view for as long as you can.
Fond Ghadir Rock-Baths
An interesting feature of this beach is the hollowed-out rock-baths along the shore (to the left). In Victorian times, women would enjoy a swim here without having to worry about onlookers as the baths were equipped with wooden shacks. Nowadays, these can be enjoyed by everyone, but are especially safe for children to play in (under supervision).
Blue Lagoon – Comino
We have saved the best for last! Possibly the most visited beach in summer, these crystal-clear, aquamarine waters are like a tonic to the soul. The sandy beach tends to be overcrowded; covered with umbrellas and sunbeds reaching to the shoreline. It might be best to put your belongings farther from the shore to avoid rubbing elbows with other visitors. If you are a confident swimmer, make your way to the other end of the lagoon. If you walk around the island (worth the sacrifice in the blazing sun), you will most likely find a quieter, less trampled-upon-by humanity spot where you can bathe to your heart’s content without being disturbed.
How to Get There by Ferry:
From Sliema by Captain Morgan Cruises or from Cirkewwa by Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd.
Important Things to Check Before Visiting Beaches in Malta:
Bus Routes or Road Closures
And our personal favourite – Which Beach – as it does most of the work for you by recommending beaches to visit according to the weather
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoy swimming and sunbathing as much as we did. Remember, the sea is soothing yet mighty, so always take good care while making the most of your summer trip to Malta.
If you have any comments or questions, drop them down in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.
With sunny smiles,
Passport and Pathways
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Great post. Malta definitely has some lovely beaches. My personal favourites are Paradise Bay and Melliha Bay
Malta sounds really good. Thanks for the in depth description of how awesome it is. Lovely pics. 💗
It’s amazing! Thank you! 🙂 xx
What a fab post! I’ve never been to Malta but would love to go. I know my great-gran used to go all the time, and absolutely loved it so I really want to check it out 🙂 This list looks so lovely. I must admit, I hate overly crowded beaches, so as lovely as it looks, I would have to give the Blue Lagoon a miss, or get up super early and leave before everyone arrives. I do like the look of Golden Bay though. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you so much! You could visit the places she did then 😀 Yes, we hate overly crowded beaches too and that’s one of the downsides of a popular beach destination. The best time to go to Blue Lagoon is either in the early morning like you said or else in May / June before school’s out. Thanks for stopping by!
Nice post. I haven’t been to Malta yet but these beaches look fabulous. Thanks for the tips,
Thank you! Yes, especially when there are few people around. Hope you get to visit one day 🙂
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I live in Malta and Summer is one of our top most loved seasons. In summer beaches are packed with people mostly on Sundays since the majority of people don’t work and find the beach as the best outing to go with their families and friends. People like to plan a day by beach and end there amazing day with a barbeque as the sun sets. Our sandy beaches are perfect especially for those who have young children to build sand castles or for those who would like to spread a towel on the sand and read an amazing book. Besides that our rocky beaches are more for those who like to explore beaches or for those who don’t like to get sand between there finger toes 😅. Anyways it’s a fantastic idea to go for a swim or spend a day by the beach Malta!