Are you looking for the Best beaches in Malta, Gozo and Comino? We spent 5 days in Malta to discover the islands. I have to tell you that Malta is a must-visit place. Why? The nature is amazingly beautiful with the clear blue water in the background. The beaches are amazing, you can find white and reddish sandy beaches, cliffs and pebbles as well. So everyone will find their favourites.

3 inhabited islands are in the archipelago: Malta, Gozo and Comino. The coastlines are mainly rocky. Sandy beaches can be found mostly on the northern part such as Mellieha bay and Golden bay, Ghajn Tuffieha, Gnejna bay on the west side. Don’t forget about Blue Lagoon in Comino and Ir-Ramla in Gozo.

Malta has 9 and Gozo has 3 beaches awarded with Blue Flag quality, which means these beaches are clean, safe and respecting the environment.

Best time to visit Malta

Summers are very hot and dry in Malta. During the day the temperature is usually between 28-34°C, sunshine every day without any clouds in the sky.

In Europe, Malta has the warmest winters. The sea temperature is around 20°C during winter and 26°C during the summer.

The winters are slightly rainy and mild, the average temperature is around 15°C, there is no snow, but can be cold because of the northern wind.

We were there at the end of May. The weather was very warm, no clouds on the sky. The water was perfect. I’d recommend planning your trip for late spring or early autumn because the temperature won’t be super high, but you can enjoy the sunshine and the sea. There won’t be many tourists, so the beaches won’t be full of people.

Want to know more about Malta, the lovely Maltese people, weather, traffic and public transport, food and drink, read my post About Malta.

Best beaches in Malta, the main island

St Peter’s Pool

This natural wonder is one of the most visited spots in Malta. The natural swimming pool is located on the southern coastline, close to Marsaxlokk. The area is beautiful thanks to its totally clear water with amazing azure and light green colours.

Go as early as you can to avoid the crowd and don’t forget about sunscreen, there aren’t so many shadows.

For starter, we jumped from a lower cliff. You can avoid jumping if you are afraid of heights, the water is accessible by a ladder on the lower part.

Later I went to the highest edge aaaaaand I jumped 🙂 I have to admit, I was standing there 2 minutes before it, but finally, I jumped and it was goooood. Try it, don’t be afraid, it’s just a jump 😉

If you’re lucky, you will get a chance to see a Jack Russell terrier, Titti and her owner jumping together from the cliffs. I haven’t heard about the dog before, after our trip, I investigated a bit (relax I’m not a stalker). I found out that the dog is obsessed with jumping. Watch this video about the owner and Titti.

Read more about our adventures in my other post about St Peter’s pool.

How to get there?

We went by the rented car. The last part of the road was very bumpy. Parking places are along the road but don’t stop at the first opportunity, that one isn’t so close to the main parking area.

The buses don’t go directly to the pool, the closest bus stop is 2 km away at the bay of Marsaxlokk.

Also reachable by water taxi from Marsaxlokk for 10 euro. Don’t forget to book your return taxi with a fixed time.

The rocky Fond Ghadir beach in Sliema

Sliema’s peninsula is located northwest from Valletta. A promenade stretches along the rocky coastline with small square pools. The cubicles were exploited for the production of sea salt on a small scale. Now they are mostly used for sunbathing. The sea is deep but generally clean, clear and safe to swim. This beach is also earned the Blue Flag title.

We haven’t tried out the beach, just enjoyed the sunset from Surfside beach bar.

How to get there?

I wouldn’t recommend arriving by car, might be hard to find a parking space.

Take bus 13, 13A, 14, 16, 110, 202, 212, 222, 225 or 233 to reach the Sliema promenade.

Golden bay

At that western coastline, there are 3 sandy beaches at Golden bay, Ghajn Tuffieha bay and Gnejna bay, which are separated by rocky peninsulas. They have a very nice atmosphere with the surrounding rocky heights.

Golden bay beach (Ir-Ramla tal Mixquqa) is a wide and long sandy beach and part of the Blue Flag programme. The water is available for swimming and snorkelling. The sea wasn’t that clear as I expected. It is very popular, was a bit crowded, though there’s a place for everyone thanks to its size. Chair and umbrella rental are available.

How to get there?

Follow the Golden bay signs. There is a big car park close to the bay. I can hardly call it a car park with the sandy and hilly surface, but it’s free.

There is a bus stop a few minutes from the beach called Ghajn Tuffieha Bus Terminus, you can reach it by 44, 101, 223, 225 bus lines.

Ghajn Tuffieha bay with reddish sand

Situated at the western coastline between Golden bay and Gnejna bay. This bay is also surrounded by cliffs. Not as touristy as Golden bay, for me this one was more likeable. We visited the beach on our last day, only spent there a few hours because we had to catch our flight. This beach was a perfect last destination for our trip. Read more about our last day: Day 5 in Malta – Ghajn Tuffieha bay.

The bay looks very mystical with reddish sand. The water is low initially then gets deeper, so perfect for children. The sea might be wavy sometimes depending on the currents and the weather condition.

The beach won the Blue Flag quality, so it has to provide 1st quality service. Sun chair and umbrella rental are also available.

How to get there?

It is only a few minutes from Golden bay, you can follow the Golden bay sign and after that the Ghajn Tuffieha bay sign. There is a big car park on the top of the hill.

You can reach it on foot easily from the Golden bay, walking up on the cliffs to the tower, then down to the bay on the long staircase.

The “Riviera” bus stop belongs to the beach. Reachable by the following bus lines: 44, 101, 223, 225.

Gnejna bay

Situated at the western coastline, south from Ghajn Tuffieha bay. This is the 3rd sandy beach in the row. Here you can find sand, pebbles and flat rocks too. The bay is smaller and less crowded. Little boathouses are carved into the hill on the southern part.

Sun chair and umbrella rental are available.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to visit this beach. Maybe next time 😉 I’ve written more about this beach in my other post.

How to get there?

You have to drive 5 kms from Ghajn Tuffieha bay to Gnejna bay. The parking area is situated beside the beach.

Its bus stop is called “Gnejna”, and only the bus line 101 stops there.

Mellieha bay beach

We saw the sandy beach of Mellieha bay only from the car. It was very crowded, full of umbrellas, so we haven’t visited it.

Mellieha bay has one of the largest beach on the island. It is situated between two headlands on the Northern part of the island. The water is clear and shallow, so it’s the most popular family beach on Malta. In 2012, it became a Blue Flag awarded beach.

How to get there?

The main road “1” is located next to the beach, parking places can be found on both sides of the road.

Along the beach, you can find many bus stops. Reach it by 41, 42, 49, 101, 221, 222 or 250 bus lines.

The beaches of Gozo

Dwejra bay with the Azure Window, Blue Hole and Inland Sea

Azure Window was one of the most beautiful natural sights of Malta and Gozo. Unfortunately, we get there a few months after the tragedy. The 28-metre high natural arch was destroyed on the 8th of March of 2017 by strong wind and high waves.

It’s still worth a visit. The scenery is gorgeous there with the rest of the Azure Window, Blue Hole and Dwejra bay.

From the top of the cliffs you can walk down on the rocks to the water, just mind your steps. At the bottom of the rock face, the Blue Hole can be found, where the water has a deep blue colour. It is an underwater cave and provides an excellent dive site for experienced divers.

You can also swim to the remains of the Azure Window.

The area on the other side of the rock face is the Inland Sea, a natural lagoon surrounded by tall cliffs It is a popular scuba diving site and also good for swimming because it has shallow and calm water with a pebbly shore.

For more information about Azure Window and Dwejra bay read my other post about Gozo.

Ir-Ramla with golden-reddish sand

Ir-Ramla I-Hamra (Red Beach) is Gozo’s largest sandy beach with bright golden-reddish sand and clear water. There are underwater rocks a few meters out in the sea on the central part, so mind your steps. One part of it is a Natura 2000 site and the Blue Flag programme.

It was busy, but there are plenty of places on the long and wide beach. It was sunny as always, so we rented an umbrella at the kiosks.

Read more about Gozo and beaches at Day 3 in Malta – Gozo.

Yes, that’s me with the super white skin 😉

Hondoq Ir Rummien beach

This small beach is a popular swimming place thanks to its crystal clear water. Perfect for diving. Hondoq bay is opposite the island of Comino and can be reached through the village of il-Qala. This beach won the Blue Flag quality too. Photo from visitgozo.

We didn’t have time to stop by, we will next time.

How to get to Gozo?

Between Malta (Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal) and Gozo (Mgarr Ferry Terminal) operates a ferry for passengers and vehicles. During the day the ferry leaves every 45 minutes. Check out the timetable here.

Read my other post for more useful information about prices and the ferry.

On Gozo, we went everywhere by the rented car.

Hop on hop off buses operate on the island. Take a look at the map and details here.

Blue Lagoon on Comino island

I finish the list with my favourite, the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen. It was like wonderland 😉 It’s incredibly amazing with the white sanded beach and the crystal clear azure water.

Aaaaand you can drink a cocktail from a pineapple. What else do you need?

The small island of Comino (Kemmuna) is situated between Malta and Gozo. The biggest attraction is the Blue Lagoon, the narrow bay stretches between the island of Comino and the smaller island Cominotto (Kemmunett).

The most popular visiting time is between noon and 4 pm. Recommended arriving early. We arrived just in time to rent sunbeds and an umbrella.

Swim/walk to the other island, called Cominotto. On that side, the beach isn’t totally sandy, be careful with the rocks and pebbles. Swim through the Blue Hole cave, but mind the waves. I couldn’t swim till the sea, it was wavy inside because of the wind. You can walk up to the top of the cliffs.

Read my other post about Blue Lagoon and Comino to have more information about the island.

How to get there?

It’s reachable only by boat, so no cars are allowed on the island. We took a boat by Comino Ferries Co-op around 11 am.

We parked next to the big white Riviera Hotel at Marfa because we couldn’t find a parking space at Cirkewwa ferry station.

During the summer, the boat leaves every 30 minutes. The boat trip takes 30 minutes till Blue Lagoon. The return ticket costs 10 euros. The boat stopped 1st at Santa Marija bay and then finally Blue Lagoooon 🙂

The last boat from the Blue Lagoon leaves at 6 pm. On the way back the boat turned to the nearby caves.

So these are the best beaches in Malta. I started and finished with my favourites. Every beach offers something special, nature is similar but different at the same time. As I told you, everyone will find the personal favourite. Are you into sandy or rocky beach? Or the adventurous cliff jumping type? Here you can find every kind of beaches.

Enjoy the beaches and the crystal clear water! For more info read my other posts about Malta.