Best Beaches in Malta – 2023 Ultimate Guide

Here you will find a guide to the best beaches that Malta can offer you, with specific information about each beach including how to get there and what to bring, helping you decide which beach would be the best for you to visit, and help you make your trip to Malta perfect.

The Maltese islands are known for having some of the cleanest beaches in all of Europe, and they are usually among the top rated in the continent every year.

Most of the beaches on the Maltese islands are certified each year as some of the cleanest in Europe, scoring up to 97% in excellence. 

Malta also has many beaches certified with the blue flag, which means that these beaches meet the standards of sustainability, environmental protection, cleanliness, safety and others.

Although everyone has their own opinions regarding what constitutes a good beach, we have compiled a top 10 list of the best beaches in Malta based on visitor ratings.

10. Ta’ Fra Ben (Qawra Point)

It is named for the lighthouse that crowns the bay. It is a rocky beach with clean waters, incredible views and is never very crowded. The tide is quite gentle and you will rarely encounter any waves. It is also a perfect place for snorkelling.

If you are staying in the area of Buġibba, Qawra or St Paul’s Bay, you have to go to this beach, as it will be nearby. There’s no artificial sand or human intervention here, it’s 100% natural. 

That said, if you want to spend the day in a beach bar, then this beach is not for you.

Pros:

• Getting there is easy.
• Good views and clean water.
• Brilliant for Snorkelling.
• There are shops and bars nearby.
• You can rent umbrellas and sun loungers.
• Blue Flag awarded 

Cons:

• It is small and rocky.
• The water becomes very deep a short distance from the shore.

9. Armier Bay and Little Armier

Armier Bay is located in northern Malta. The bay has two beaches, one known as Armier and the other as Little Armier. They are not very crowded by tourists, however, the Maltese usually spend the whole day there with their family.

Both beaches are idyllic and quite remote, therefore unless you have a car you may wish to rule out going to these beaches as the bus stop would leave you quite far away. If you still want to go, the nearest stop is Ċirkewwa and then you will have a fair walk, though the water and views are worth it. 

These beaches are family-friendly, clean and safe. You will also find places to buy food and drinks on either of the two beaches, making them perfect places to spend the day with the children.

Pros: 

• Sandy beach.
• The views.
• Clean and clear water.
• Family-friendly.
• Popular with locals, not crowded by tourists.

Cons: 

• It is difficult to get there without a car.
• A large part of the sand is reserved for sun loungers and umbrellas.
• It is not the cleanest sand on the island.

8. Ġnejna Bay

Ġnejna is a rare gem among the beaches of western Malta; a beautiful sandy beach and yet not crowded by tourists. You should visit it someday if you are adventurous and like to explore.

There are kiosks to buy drinks and food and it is considered a good alternative to other, more crowded sandy beaches. The only problem is that, like other beaches that are not as well known to tourists, getting there could be difficult if you do not have your own vehicle.

Pros: 

• Sandy beach.
• Family-friendly.
• Quite idyllic.
• It is not overcrowded.

Cons:

• There are few parking spaces.
• Public transport is limited and may drop you a fair walk from the beach.

7. Paradise Bay

Paradise Bay is located near Ċirkewwa, in the north of the island, next to where you take the ferry to Gozo. The beach is located on a natural cliff, surrounded by nature, and offers spectacular views of the islands of Gozo and Comino.

Paradise bay is a small, family friendly beach with crystal clear waters. It is easy to access, and on weekends it is usually full of young people who organize parties occasionally. The clarity of the water makes it a perfect place for snorkelling.

Pros:

• Sandy beach.
• The views are spectacular.
• Great for snorkelling.
• You have to buy food and drink.
• There are sun loungers and umbrellas for rent.

Cons:

• It is small and fills up fast.

6. The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is located in a beautiful cove on the island of Comino. Being a lagoon, there are no waves, and the calm waters are breathtakingly blue. To access this island you will have to take a direct ferry from Malta or Gozo. You have other incredibly beautiful small sandy beaches that you can access from there by walking or swimming.

The rest of the bay is rock, from where you can jump into the water or sunbathe. It is a good place for snorkelling as the water is super transparent and the island is full of small caves where fish hide.

Click here to get your tickets to Blue Lagoon in Comino.

You can easily access it by taking the ferry or taking a boat trip from Buġibba, Sliema or Gozo.

We do not place it in the top 3 as it gets crowded with tourists in summer. Even so, it is a mandatory beach for those who visit the island, few sites are as special as this one.

Pros: 

• A beautiful, idyllic, truly special place to visit.
• Some of the cleanest, clearest waters you’ll ever see.
• Fantastic to spend the whole day.

Cons: 

• It’s not exactly Malta, it’s another island.
• It can only be accessed by ferry.

5. St. Peter’s Pool

One of the most famous beaches in Malta.

St. Peter’s Pool is a pool-shaped bay located on the east of the Maltese coast, near the fishing village of Marsaxlokk. There is no other natural pool like this in Malta! This is a rocky bay, however the rocks are flat and therefore perfect to lie down to soak up the sun.

The pool is becoming more popular in recent years because it is a perfect alternative to conventional beaches. The only problem is that getting there can be a bit difficult with public transport.

Pros: 

• One of the best rock beaches on the island.
• Crystal clear water.
• Space for swimming and sunbathing
• Great for snorkelling.

Cons:

• Can be difficult to access by public transport
• No places to buy food or drinks.

4. Imġiebaħ Bay

It can be difficult to get to this beach, but it is worth the extra effort! Imġiebaħ Bay is a small jewel, unspoiled by human intervention. A small sandy beach surrounded by a beautiful rock cliff that is rarely crowded. It is located in the north of the island, near Selmun Palace (near Mellieha).

Unless you are a skilled driver (especially in reverse), we recommend that you park in the Selmun Palace car park and walk to the beach, about 15 minutes.

Pros: 

• Small sandy beach.
• Pure nature.
• Rarely crowded.

Cons:

• It can be hard to get to.
• There are no shops or places to buy food and drinks.
• There can be algae 

3.  Mellieha Bay / Għadira

Mellieha Bay (also called Ghadira Bay) is the largest sandy beach in Malta and one of the best beaches in the entire Mediterranean. You will walk offshore and the depth of the water will not increase, allowing you to enjoy the beach in the purest Caribbean style. It is, in short, a perfect beach to spend all day.

Mellieha Bay is located in the north of the island (near the village called Mellieha), and it is easy to reach given that there is public transport to and from village at all hours.

Pros: 

• It is the largest sandy beach.
• Family-friendly.
• There is to buy food and drink.
• Easy to get to.
• You can practice water sports and windsurfing.
• There are sun loungers and umbrellas for rent.
• Blue flag.

Cons:

• Despite its size, some days it becomes overcrowded.

2. Golden Bay

Golden Bay is a popular beach located in the northwest of the island of Malta, near Għajn Tuffieħa (another beach listed on this page). Golden Bay was the first beach in the country to be awarded the Blue Flag.

It is easily accessible by public transport and has all necessary amenities – restaurants, beach bars, water sports, etc. The views are unbeatable, and it is very popular also for Friday and Saturday afternoon barbeques.

Pros: 

• Sandy beach.
• Blue flag awarded
• Beautiful views.
• It has kiosks, restaurants and so on.
• Easy to get to
• Perfect to barbecue and watch the sunset.
• Relatively easy parking can be found.
• Windsurfing.

Cons: 

• If the wind picks up, the water will become less clear.
• It is not very paradisiacal.
• Can be overcrowded in summer.

1. Għajn Tuffieħa (Apple Eye in English)

With some of the best views you’ll find on the Maltese islands, our favourite one of the beaches in Malta is Għajn Tuffieħa. It is the perfect balance between nature and comfort.

Yes, it is a very popular beach and can get crowded in summer, but it is worth it. This beach is a must to visit for its many superlative qualities, and it is well worth taking a bus as it’s easy to access with public transport.

Pros: 

• Perfect balance between nature and comfort.
• Sandy beach with crystal clear waters.
• You can rent umbrellas and sun loungers.
• Easy to access by public transport.
• Blue Flag.
• One of the best sunsets you will see.

Cons: 

• Many stairs that you will have to go up and down.
• Parking can be difficult on Sundays and holidays.
• Not ideal to visit in the winter months.
• Kiosks can be expensive.

• Some beaches have a delimited bathing area.
• Use sunscreen. The sun in Malta is strong.
• The water temperature is quite high.
• Topless and nudism are illegal.
• Although the country is safe, on the most crowded beaches there are pickpockets.
• Parking is difficult. If you go to a busy beach in high season, go early to find parking.
• If you go to the beach bar or restaurant, even if it’s legal, put on your shirt because it’s not socially acceptable for the Maltese.