Malta is not a long-sandy-beach destination. Most of the coastline is limestone: flat rock shelves, boulders and coves where you climb down a ladder into deep, clear water. The sandy beaches it does have are small, beautiful and busy in summer. This is our guide, from us at Experiences Malta, to the best beaches in Malta, Gozo and Comino: the sandy bays, the rock pools locals swim at, the Blue Flag list and how to pick the right one for your day.
Swimming season
Roughly June to October
Blue Flag beaches
13 in 2025 (10 Malta, 3 Gozo)
Sandiest coast
The north and north-west of Malta
Live sea temperature
Shown in our weather bar, top of the page
Map of the Best Beaches in Malta, Gozo and Comino
Every beach in this guide on one map. Filter by island, or tap Near me to find the closest beach to you.
Blue Lagoon
Malta's most famous turquoise water, between Comino and Cominotto. Visitor numbers are managed with a booking system.
Crystal Lagoon
Clear water below the cliffs on Comino's west coast, usually visited by boat.
Fond Għadir
Flat rock platforms and ladders on the Sliema promenade, handy if you are staying in town.
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
A wilder reddish-gold beach below clay slopes, reached by a long flight of more than 100 steps. No buildings on the sand.
Golden Bay
The best-equipped sandy beach in the north-west, with restaurants, water sports and showers. Faces west for sunsets.
Ħondoq ir-Rummien
A cove facing Comino with clear water and a small sandy area.
Mellieħa Bay
About 800 metres of sand with shallow water, the easiest beach for young children. Lifeguards, sunbeds and water sports in summer.
Mġarr ix-Xini
A narrow inlet at the end of a valley, guarded by an old watchtower, with a small café.
Paradise Bay
A small sandy cove near the Gozo ferry terminal at the northern tip of Malta.
Ramla Bay
Gozo's best-known beach: red-orange sand, a dune behind and almost no development.
Santa Marija Bay
A quieter sandy bay about 15 to 30 minutes' walk from the Blue Lagoon. No Blue Lagoon pass needed to walk there.
St George’s Bay
A small sandy town beach a short walk from the St Julian's hotels and Paceville.
St Peter’s Pool
A natural rock pool with flat ledges and very clear water. No lifeguards and no shade, so bring water and a hat.
Wied il-Għasri
A narrow gorge with a tiny stony beach and excellent snorkelling on calm days.
Xlendi Bay
A narrow inlet between cliffs with a small beach and waterfront restaurants.
Best Beaches in Malta: Quick Picks
| Beach | Island | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mellieħa Bay | Malta (north) | Sand | Families, shallow water |
| Golden Bay | Malta (north-west) | Sand | Facilities, sunset |
| Għajn Tuffieħa | Malta (north-west) | Sand | Scenery, sunset |
| St Peter’s Pool | Malta (south) | Rock shelves | Clear water, jumping |
| St George’s Bay | Malta (St Julian’s) | Sand | Town beach, nightlife nearby |
| Ramla Bay | Gozo | Red sand | A wilder sandy beach |
| Blue Lagoon | Comino | Rock and turquoise water | The famous colour |
| Wied il-Għasri | Gozo | Stony gorge | Snorkelling, quiet |
Sandy Beaches in Malta
1. Mellieħa Bay (Għadira)
The biggest sandy beach on the main island, with roughly 800 metres of sand along the main road to the Gozo ferry. The water stays shallow for a long way, which makes it the easiest choice with small children. There are lifeguards in summer, sunbed and umbrella hire, water sports and food stalls, and the Għadira Nature Reserve sits just behind the beach. Parking fills up early on summer weekends.
2. Golden Bay
The most developed sandy beach in the north-west: restaurants, beach clubs, a water sports centre, showers, lockers and plenty of parking. It faces west, so it is one of the best places on the island to watch the sun go down. Expect it to be busy from July to August.
3. Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Next door to Golden Bay but wilder: a reddish-gold beach below clay slopes and cliffs, reached by a long flight of more than 100 steps. There is a beach kiosk, sunbed hire and lifeguards in summer, but no buildings on the sand, which is why many people call it Malta’s most beautiful beach. Buses stop at “Riviera” at the top. Outside summer, watch the flags: there can be strong currents.
4. St George’s Bay, St Julian’s
A small sandy town beach in St Julian’s, a short walk from the hotels and the Paceville nightlife district. It is not wild, but it is convenient if you are staying in Sliema or St Julian’s and want sand rather than rocks. It held Blue Flag status in 2025.
Rocky Swimming Spots in Malta
These are where many Maltese actually swim. There is no sand, but the water is deeper, clearer and often much less crowded.
St Peter’s Pool
A natural pool in the cliffs with flat stone ledges and very clear water. People jump from ledges of around 6 metres. There are no lifeguards, no shade and only one summer bar, and the access road is rough, so bring water and a hat. Pair it with a seafood lunch in Marsaxlokk.
Fond Għadir, Sliema
Flat rock platforms and ladders on the Sliema promenade, convenient if you are staying in town. A Blue Flag swimming area in 2025.
The Blue Grotto
You can swim around the little harbour on calm days and take a boat into the sea caves. See our Blue Grotto guide.
Best Beaches on Gozo and Comino
Ramla Bay, Gozo
Gozo’s best-known beach, with red-orange sand, a dune behind and almost no development. Toilets, food trucks and a restaurant in summer, and walks up to Calypso’s Cave.
Mġarr ix-Xini, Gozo
A narrow inlet at the end of a valley, guarded by an old watchtower, with a small café. Locals come early for a swim before the day-trippers.
Wied il-Għasri, Gozo
A narrow gorge with a tiny stony beach and excellent snorkelling. Go before 8:00 in summer, and use GPS, as it is poorly signposted.
The Blue Lagoon, Comino
The most famous water in Malta. Boats arrive from 8:00 and daily visitor numbers are controlled with a booking system. Read our Blue Lagoon guide before you go.
For every Gozo beach, with directions and facilities, see our guide to the best beaches in Gozo.
Blue Flag Beaches in Malta and Gozo
The Blue Flag is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education for beaches that meet more than 30 standards on water quality, safety, services and environmental management. These 13 beaches held it in 2025:
Malta (10)
- Mellieħa Bay
- Golden Bay
- Għajn Tuffieħa
- Fond Għadir, Sliema
- Fajtata Bay
- St George’s Bay
- Buġibba Perched Beach
- Qawra Point
- Paradise Bay Resort Hotel beach (private)
- Westin Dragonara Resort beach (private)
Gozo (3)
- Ramla Bay
- Marsalforn
- Ħondoq ir-Rummien
Malta Beach Tips
- Go early or late. From July to August the sandy beaches fill by late morning, and parking is the hardest part of the day.
- Lifeguards are seasonal. They work the main beaches in summer only. Check the flag system and avoid swimming on red-flag days.
- Public beaches are free. You pay only if you hire a sunbed and umbrella.
- Bring water shoes. Rocky spots and some sandy beaches have rocks at the edge, and sea urchins live on the rocks.
- Watch for jellyfish. In some summers there are blooms of jellyfish; ask lifeguards or locals before swimming.
- Check the sea temperature. Our weather bar at the top of every page shows the live sea temperature off Valletta, and our Malta weather by month guide shows what to expect.
Get out on the water
Malta Boat Trips and Beach Days
Many of Malta’s best swimming spots are easiest to reach by boat. Compare Comino, Blue Lagoon and coastal cruises.
- Swim stops at the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon
- Morning departures to beat the crowds
- Trips from Sliema, Buġibba and Gozo
Malta Beaches FAQ
Does Malta have sandy beaches?
Yes, but only a few. The best sandy beaches on the main island are Mellieħa Bay, Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa in the north and north-west, plus small town beaches such as St George’s Bay. Gozo has Ramla Bay.
What is the best beach in Malta for families?
Mellieħa Bay, because the water stays shallow a long way out and there are lifeguards and facilities in summer.
Which Malta beach is best for sunset?
Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa face west and are the classic sunset beaches.
When can you swim in Malta?
Most people swim from June to October, when the sea is warmest. Hardy swimmers go in all year.
Are beaches in Malta free?
Public beaches are free to use. Sunbeds and umbrellas cost extra, and a few hotel beaches are private.
Keep Planning
Best Beaches in GozoRamla, Xlendi and more
Blue Lagoon MaltaBooking and best times
Diving in MaltaWrecks, caves and reefs
How we wrote this guideThis guide was researched and written by us at Experiences Malta, using the official and local sources listed below, and we review it through the year. Prices, timetables and opening hours change, so please check before you travel. More about Experiences Malta.
Sources: Time Out: The best beaches in Malta for 2026, Guide Me Malta: 2025 Blue Flag beaches, Malta Uncovered: Għajn Tuffieħa, Nature Trust FEE Malta: Blue Flag, Open-Meteo marine data.