Best Beaches in Malta

Where is Malta?
Rather than just an island, the Republic of Malta is actually an island nation comprising of many islands. The archipelago is located in the Mediterranean Sea in Southern Europe, about 93 km (58 mi) off the south coast of Sicily (Italy). To the west of Malta and only about 288 km away is Tunisia and to the south is Libya.

This location, the southern most place you can go in Europe gives Malta a warm, Mediterranean climate.

Languages spoken in Malta
The capital of Malta is Valletta and their official languages are Maltese and English. Almost everyone I met from Malta could speak English and all their road-signs and newspapers were in English. Because of their very close proximity to Italy (you can see the island of Sicily on a clear day from some locations on Malta, they do also have very strong cultural and historical ties with Italy and the Italian language.

Politics in Malta
Malta became independent from Britain in 1964, but still maintains many ties with the UK and there are many people on Malta who have British nationality or who were born in the UK.

Malta is part of the United Nations and the British Commonwealth, it also joined the European Union in 2004 meaning that now their official currency is the Euro.

Before we get to the best beaches in Malta, I thought it would be useful to talk a little about the islands that make up Malta as there are a few great beaches that you can visit on islands other than the main island of Malta.

Malta has many small islands, many of them are uninhabited, the main islands and the ones that are inhabited include Malta Island, Comino and Gozo.

The other notable uninhabited islands that make up the Maltese island archipelago include: Filfla, Cominotto (Kemmunett), Fungus Rock, Manoel Island (which is joined to the town of Gzira, on the mainland by a bridge) and the Islands of St. Paul.

From what I could find out, below is a list of all the Maltese Islands:

• Barbaganni Rock


• Comino


• Cominotto


• Delmarva Island


• Filfla


• Fessej Rock


• Fungus Rock


• Ghallis Rock


• Gozo


• Halfa Rock


• Large Blue Lagoon Rocks


• Islands of St. Paul/Selmunett Island


• Malta Island


• Manoel Island


• Mistra Rocks


• Tac-Cawl Rock


• Qawra Point/Ta`Fraben Island


• Small Blue Lagoon Rocks


• Sala Rock


• Xrob l-Ghagin Rock

The main islands of Malta and Gozo are also the islands where you will find most of the popular public beaches.

As I mentioned earlier, Malta has a good variety of beaches, suitable for most peoples needs and wants. For sunbathing, sandy beaches are probably the obvious choice, especially for families with children. In Malta it is also common to see people sunbathing of of rocks, I would not recommend this with children, although it can be a great place to go looking for shells and other sea critters!

Both Malta and Gozo have so called beach clubs/lidos that are excellent if you require the added facilities like toilets and restaurants that come with them. These are often located near small towns or hotels and can get a little crowded especially in summer on the weekends where both tourists and locals will gather.

If large crowds are not your thing, don't worry, Malta and Gozo also have secluded beaches where you can get away from it all.

Golden bay beach is pretty large and sandy, it is located near a large hotel, the 5 star Radisson Golden Sands hotel and as such it can get pretty busy, especially on the weekends in the summer.

Facilities at Golden Bay Beach
Golden bay has pretty much everything you could need, with toilets, two beach restaurants and another restaurant not 2 minutes from the beach. This is not including the restaurant in the hotel either. I would highly recommend the beach restaurant pictured in this image for lunch on the beach, it is nicely covered sheltering you from the mid-day heat and serves great simple food.

For refreshments you can either buy from the restaurants or there are a few stalls selling drinks and snacks on the road leading down to the beach from the car park and bus stop.

How to get to Golden Bay Beach
Golden Bay beach is located near the town of Manikata on the north western end of Malta and not too far away from St Paul's Bay. it is easily reached by car and there is plenty of parking space.

By bus, You can catch the 52 or 652 buss from Salina or St. Paul's Bay to Paradise bay or route 47 from Valletta or alternatively route 652 from Sliema.

Accomodation
If you are looking for a hotel that is near a great popular sandy beach in Malta, I would highly recommend Radisson Golden Sands hotel as you would only have to walk out of the hotel and a few steps later you would be on one of the best beaches in Malta.

Definitely one of my favourite sandy beaches in Malta is Golden Bay and I give it a 5 Star "Best Beaches in Malta Rating!"

Another sandy beach in Malta and another that receives a 5 star "Best Beaches in Malta" rating!

The walk down to beach at Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is pretty steep, but their are steps. Just remember it is a long climb back up. Because of this,and the fact that there are less facilities than a beach like the nearby Golden Bay beach, it tends to be much less crowded.

The beach is large and sandy, with plenty of space to spread out on. I am told that on the weekends it can get a little crowded as locals favour it away from the tourist hotels.

The bay is a great place to swim, and great for children. it is also great for a little snorkelling.

There also seems to be an area towards the end of the beach where nudist sunbathers tend to gather. If nude beaches in Malta are not your cup of tea, yet you still want to visit a quiet beach, don't be put of visiting Ghajn Tuffieha Bay as they tend to keep to themselves and are well out of sight!

Facilities
There is one beach cafe overlooking the beach, which also has toilets, just ask the cafe owner for the keys.

How to get to Ghajn Tuffieha Bay
Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is located not far from Golden Bay Beach and makes a pleasant walk from one to the other, especially if you follow the path along the cliff face.

So like Golden Bay beach, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is located near the town of Manikata on the north western end of Malta and not too far away from St Paul's Bay. it is easily reached by car and there is plenty of parking space, both at Golden Bay beach, or at a parking spot above Ghajn Tuffieha Bay.

By bus, You can catch the 52 or 652 buss from Salina or St. Paul's Bay to Paradise bay or route 47 from Valletta or alternatively route 652 from Sliema.