5 Best Malta Beaches

April 9, 2020 - Updated

Europe is home to some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and it’s easy to understand why. The wonderful thing about Europe is its variety. No matter what kind of holiday you want to have, you can find a long list of locations and activities to enjoy around European nations. If you’re looking to spend some time in a big city, for example, visiting museums, galleries, parks, and shops, you can head off to London or Paris. If you’re looking for something more historic, locations like Pompeii in Italy or ancient Greek ruins could be more your style. And if you’re looking for a classic, summer-style beach vacation, Europe is filled with prime locations to have some fun in the sun.

1.Golden Bay

Situated on the northwestern shoreline of Malta, Golden Bay is one of the best and biggest beaches on the island nation. It's very easy to get to and well-served by lots of good hotels, resorts, restaurants, and more, so it's a highly popular place with tourists and locals alike. This Blue Flag beach can therefore get pretty busy from time to time, especially at weekends or on special occasions, but if you get here early and claim a good spot on the sand, you can spend a full day here and have a whole lot of fun.

2.Paradise Bay

Right at the top northern edge of Malta, Paradise Bay really lives up to its impressive name. It's located near to the city of Cirkewwa and is also conveniently situated for anyone heading over to the nearby island of Gozo. This little secluded beach is backed by cliffs and surrounded by stunning scenery. The local geology helps to protect the beach, providing warm, gentle waters that can be lovely for soothing swimming sessions, and Paradise Bay is fitted out with lots of sun loungers and umbrellas for your convenience.

3.Ghajn Tuffieha

Certainly, one of the prettiest beaches in Malta, Ghajn Tuffieha is located quite near to Golden Bay, so you can hop between these two beaches and take advantage of all their amenities. The interesting thing about Ghajn Tuffieha is how this beach manages to blend both pristine scenery and good tourist-friendly amenities all in one location. To walk along this beach and admire the views, you might feel like you're on a private island, but then you can also check out the local rental stands and snack bars. Parking at this beach can be difficult though, so you might want to park around by Golden Bay and walk round.

4.Pretty Bay

Historically one of the most popular beaches in all of Malta, Pretty Bay has a very fitting name. It, quite simply, is a very pretty little location with nice clear waters and soft sands, ideal for simple beach activities like swimming and sunbathing. More amenities and facilities can be found elsewhere and tourists have moved on from this beach in recent years, but it still has a lot of charm and personality, attracting a lot of locals.

5.Ghadira Bay

You might also see this beach under the name Mellieha Bay, but locals will tend to call it 'Ghadira' in general. It's one of the biggest beaches in all of Malta, offering an enormous amount of sand and space to cater to the large crowds that gather here. The waters on the shore are quite shallow and gentle, just right for youngsters to paddle and splash around, while the waves further out to sea are a little choppier and ideal for some surfing. Beach equipment rentals can be found at this beach, as well as snack stands, restaurants, water sport operators, and lifeguards in the summer.

6.More Info

If you're planning a beach trip in Europe, it makes a lot of sense to head to a location on the Mediterranean Sea. That's where the best beaches, warmest waters, and widest variety of activities can be enjoyed. One of the best Mediterranean beach countries is Malta. This little island nation is located right in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, about 50 miles off the coast of Italy. It has a population of less than half a million people and attracts huge numbers of visitors due to its natural beauty and prime location for beach and water activities, as well as being the home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the capital city of Valletta and its ancient megalithic temples.

Best Beaches in Malta

When visiting Malta, it’s simply impossible not to spend some time at the beach. The island nation is home to some of the finest Mediterranean beaches of all, rivaling countries like France, Spain, and Italy. Regardless of age or background, anyone can have fun on Malta beaches and the sands and seas here are nicely suited for many activities like sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and water sports. Read on to learn all about the best beaches in Malta.