When it comes to the best beaches in Malta, Gozo & Comino, picking the right one comes down to what you actually want: soft golden sand and a beach bar, a dramatic cliff-edge pool with nobody else around, or the turquoise water everyone’s seen in photos. This guide covers the best of all three islands — sandy family bays, rocky swimming spots, and boat-access-only coves — with honest notes on crowds, access, and facilities.
Sandy doesn’t always mean better.
Malta’s coastline is mostly limestone cliff and rock, so some of the best swimming — St Peter’s Pool, Xlendi Bay, the Blue Lagoon itself — isn’t on sand at all. If you want soft sand for kids or sunbathing, head for the Mellieħa side of Malta or Ramla Bay in Gozo. If you want the clearest, calmest water, go rocky.
Malta: Sandy Bays & Rock Pools
Malta’s best swimming spots cluster around Mellieħa in the north and the fishing village of Marsaxlokk in the south-east, with everything from wide family-friendly sand to a rock pool with no facilities at all.
Sandy · Family-Friendly
Golden Bay
Bus & car access · restaurants nearby
A wide stretch of golden sand backed by low cliffs, with sunbeds, watersports, and a couple of restaurants right on the beach. One of Malta’s most popular bays, so it fills up fast in summer.
Good to know: Can get choppy with an undertow on windier days — check conditions before swimming out.
Sandy · Family-Friendly
Ghadira Bay (Mellieħa Bay)
Bus & car access · lidos & kiosks
Malta’s largest sandy beach, with shallow, calm water that makes it the easiest choice for young children. Wooden walkways, multiple lidos, and full facilities.
Good to know: Easily the most crowded family beach on the island in July and August — arrive early for a good spot.
Sandy · Scenic
Għajn Tuffieħa (Riviera Bay)
Steep steps from the car park · no lidos
Widely considered Malta’s most beautiful beach — a sweeping, undeveloped bay next door to Golden Bay, reached by a steep flight of steps that keeps the crowds thinner. Spectacular at sunset.
Good to know: The stairs are worth it, but bring water and think about the climb back up before you commit to a full day.
Rocky · Rock Pool
St Peter’s Pool
Car access, 2km from nearest bus stop · no facilities
A natural pool carved into sun-bleached limestone cliffs near Marsaxlokk, with strikingly clear, deep-blue water. A favourite for cliff jumping as well as swimming.
Good to know: No shade, no facilities, and the cliffs make it unsuitable for small children — bring everything you need.
Gozo: Red Sand & Quiet Coves
Gozo’s beaches are smaller and generally quieter than Malta’s, with the island’s famous reddish sand at Ramla Bay and San Blas standing out from anywhere on the main island.
Sandy · Gozo’s Biggest
Ramla Bay
Bus & car access · food outlets & toilets
Gozo’s largest and most popular beach, with distinctive golden-red sand and views up to the Calypso Cave viewpoint above. The most complete beach day on the island, facilities-wise.
Good to know: Parts of the bay have pebbles rather than pure sand — walk along to find the softest stretch.
Sandy · Quiet
San Blas Bay
Steep hill descent · small kiosk only
A small, quiet red-sand cove near Nadur, reached by a steep descent that keeps numbers down. Clear water and a genuinely peaceful atmosphere even in peak season.
Good to know: The walk back up is steep — pace yourself, especially with kids or in the afternoon heat.
Mixed · Local Favourite
Hondoq ir-Rummien
Car access, no bus · kiosk & kayak rental
Part sandy, part rocky, tucked into a sheltered bay near Qala with views across to Comino. Popular with Gozitan families and noticeably less touristy than Ramla.
Good to know: The small sandy patch fills up quickly in summer — the rocky sides still offer good swimming once it does.
Featured Stay
Our Apartment at Fort Chambray
2-bed, sleeps 4 · private jacuzzi · 2 pools
Base yourself inside a historic fort a short drive from Mġarr, with views across the Malta Channel and easy reach of Ramla Bay, San Blas and Hondoq ir-Rummien.
Comino: Beyond the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is what brings most day-trippers to Comino, and it earns the reputation — but it’s also the busiest patch of water in the Maltese islands by mid-morning. Comino has two other bays worth knowing about if you want the same turquoise water with room to breathe.
Turquoise · The Icon
Blue Lagoon
Boat only, from Ċirkewwa, Buġibba or Sliema
The postcard shot — shallow, brilliantly turquoise water between Comino and the islet of Cominotto. Mostly rocky with a small sandy patch. See our
Blue Lagoon boat tours guide for how to get there and beat the crowds.
Good to know: Very busy by mid-morning in summer — an early or late boat crossing makes a real difference.
Sandy · Quieter Alternative
Santa Marija Bay
Boat, or a walk from the ferry landing
Comino’s main sandy beach, on the opposite side of the island from the Blue Lagoon, with a seasonal kiosk and noticeably fewer people even in peak summer.
Good to know: The best pick if the Blue Lagoon looks packed from the boat — genuinely worth the extra few minutes.
Turquoise · Under-the-Radar
Crystal Lagoon
Boat or a short walk/climb from the Blue Lagoon
A smaller, rockier cousin of the Blue Lagoon on Comino’s west side, with similarly striking water and a fraction of the crowds. No sand, but a sea cave nearby is worth a look.
Good to know: Access is scrambly rock rather than a beach entry — better for confident swimmers than young children.
Boat Trips & Water Activities
Beyond just swimming, the water around these islands is worth getting out on. Boat trips, snorkelling, and watersports around Sliema and the harbour are an easy add-on to a beach day.
Quick Comparison
| Beach | Island | Type | Best For |
|---|
| Golden Bay | Malta | Sandy | Sunbeds, watersports |
| Ghadira Bay | Malta | Sandy | Young families |
| Għajn Tuffieħa | Malta | Sandy | Scenery, sunsets |
| St Peter’s Pool | Malta | Rocky | Cliff jumping, clear water |
| Ramla Bay | Gozo | Sandy | Full beach day, facilities |
| San Blas Bay | Gozo | Sandy | Quiet, red sand |
| Hondoq ir-Rummien | Gozo | Mixed | Local atmosphere, kayaking |
| Blue Lagoon | Comino | Turquoise/Rocky | The classic photo |
| Santa Marija Bay | Comino | Sandy | Escaping the crowds |
| Crystal Lagoon | Comino | Turquoise/Rocky | Confident swimmers, fewer people |
Practical Tips
Go early or go late
Every beach on this list gets noticeably busier between about 11am and 4pm in July and August. An early morning swim, or arriving after 5pm when the heat breaks, is the single best way to get any of these places closer to yourself.
Bring your own shade and water
Several of the best spots — St Peter’s Pool, San Blas, Crystal Lagoon — have little or no facilities. Sunscreen, water, and something for shade aren’t optional at these.
Getting to Comino
Comino has no scheduled public ferry for casual visitors in the way Gozo does — you’ll need a boat trip or water taxi from Malta or Gozo. Our Blue Lagoon boat tours guide covers the operators and how to time it.
Mind the undercurrents
Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa in particular can develop a noticeable undertow on windier days. If a beach is flying a red flag or the sea looks rougher than usual, sit that one out.
Rent a car to reach the quieter bays
The best swimming spots — San Blas, Riviera Bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien — all involve a drive down a winding road with little or no bus service. A car gives you the flexibility to beach-hop and beat the crowds to the early spots.
Compare Malta & Gozo Car Rentals
Search and compare rental car prices across all the major providers on the islands, so you can reach every bay on this list without waiting on a bus timetable.
Compare rental car prices →Skip the drive: fast ferry to Gozo
If Ramla Bay, San Blas or Hondoq ir-Rummien are the beaches you’re after, the direct fast ferry from Valletta cuts out the drive to Ċirkewwa and the car ferry queue entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beach in Malta?
For scenery, Għajn Tuffieħa. For families, Ghadira Bay (Mellieħa Bay). For clear water and cliff jumping, St Peter’s Pool. There isn’t a single “best” — it depends on what you want from the day.
Are Malta’s beaches sandy or rocky?
Both — Malta’s coastline is mostly limestone, so many of the best swimming spots are rocky rather than sandy. The main sandy beaches cluster around Mellieħa in the north and Ramla Bay in Gozo.
Is the Blue Lagoon worth visiting?
Yes, but go early — it’s genuinely one of the most striking places to swim in the Mediterranean, and also the busiest by mid-morning in summer. See our
Blue Lagoon boat tours guide for how to time your trip.
Which Gozo beach has the best sand?
Ramla Bay has the most sand and the most facilities. San Blas Bay has similarly reddish sand with a fraction of the crowds, at the cost of a steep walk down and back up.
What is the best time of year to visit Malta’s beaches?
June and September offer warm, swimmable sea with noticeably smaller crowds than July and August. The sea stays swimmable well into October for anyone visiting outside peak summer.
Also on the Islands
Blue Lagoon Boat Tours
How to get to Comino and the best boat tours to book. Read the guide
5 Best Gozo Activities & Tours
The best ways to see Gozo beyond its beaches. Read the guide
Where to Stay in Malta
Pick a base close to the beaches that matter most to you. Read the guide
Skip to content
