10 Best Beaches in Malta

Malta’s coastline offers some of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular beaches, from the world-famous turquoise waters of Blue Lagoon to more expansive sandy stretches perfect for families. This archipelago of three main islands—Malta, Gozo, and Comino—combines dramatic limestone cliffs with hidden coves and pristine beaches that rival any Caribbean destination.

Having explored Malta’s beaches firsthand during an October visit, I can attest to the magic of swimming in these crystal-clear Mediterranean waters (even as autumn arrives). The comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds make shoulder season an ideal time to discover both famous spots like Blue Lagoon and more undiscovered spots like the secluded Ghajn Tuffieha Bay.

The water here is every shade of blue you’ve ever imagined, layered on top of each other like someone spilled an artist’s palette into the sea. The water so clear you can count pebbles on the seabed 15 feet down, and the silence broken only by the gentle lap of waves against the limestone platforms. Come early if you want solitude, because by noon, boats arrive loaded with day-trippers. The flat rock platforms become prime real estate for sunbathing, and the shallow areas fill with snorkelers marveling at the underwater visibility. Bring reef-safe shoes: the rocks can be sharp, and the best entry points aren’t always obvious. Also, that famous Instagram shot everyone posts? You’ll get it from the boat on the way in, not from the beach itself. 

Paradise Bay lives up to its audacious name, but in a quiet, understated way that makes it feel like a secret even though it’s marked on every map. Tucked into a small cove near Mellieha you’ll take a short walk down from the car park with glimpses of that impossible blue water appearing between the trees. When you finally reach the sand, it hits you: this perfect horseshoe of golden beach surrounded by limestone cliffs that look like ancient cathedral walls, with water so clear you can see every ripple on the sandy bottom.

Morning brings the serious swimmers and snorkelers, afternoon attracts couples looking for romantic photo ops, and evening draws families for peaceful dinners at the beach bar while their kids play in the gentle shallows as the sun sets behind the cliffs.

Ramla Bay is where I fell in love with Gozo. The sand here is unlike anywhere else I’ve been. The color is a striking orange-red and the texture, fine and soft with tiny flecks that catch the light.

The bay is huge by Malta standards, stretching in a perfect arc between protective headlands, and I had it almost entirely to myself. The only sounds were waves lapping the shore.

The water at Ramla has its own character too. It’s calmer than the exposed beaches on Malta, protected by the bay’s natural curve, but with more personality than a lagoon. The swimming is excellent, with a gradual deepening that makes it perfect for long, meditative swims parallel to the shore. 

This sweeping crescent of golden sand stretches for nearly a kilometer, and I spent entire afternoons here just watching the theater of Maltese beach life unfold.

The bay’s magic lies in its shallows. You can walk out 100 meters and still be chest-deep, making it perfect for the endless parade of Maltese families who arrive each weekend loaded with umbrellas and coolers.

I’m not sure if it’s the sand filtering the water or just the way this bay sits protected between two rocky headlands, but swimming here feels like slipping into a warm bath. The locals know it too; every evening around sunset, you’ll see serious swimmers doing their laps parallel to the shore, cutting through the water with the practiced strokes of people who’ve been doing this routine for decades.

Armier Bay is actually two distinct beaches connected by a short walk but offering completely different experiences. The main bay gives you that classic Mediterranean beach day with crystal-clear water and space to spread out, while the smaller northern section feels like a private cove where locals come to escape.

The northern section is for refuge when you want solitude. Separated from the main beach by a small rocky outcrop, it attracts fewer visitors but offers the same spectacular water quality. 

Getting to St. Peter’s Pool feels like joining a secret club. Park among the prickly pear cacti and make the short walk down to the pool.

And what a pool it is. Carved from solid limestone by millennia of Mediterranean storms, St. Peter’s Pool is a natural amphitheater of flat rock platforms surrounding water so blue and clear it looks like a high-end infinity pool. 

This isn’t a beach for everyone. There’s no sand, no shade, and definitely no facilities—just you, the rocks, and some of the most spectacular swimming water in the Mediterranean. The limestone platforms heat up beautifully in the sun, creating perfect spots for sunbathing between swims, and the various levels mean you can find jumping spots suited to your comfort level (though I recommend watching the locals first—they know exactly where the water’s deep enough).

Golden Bay earned its name honestly—both the sand and the way the evening light hits those protective limestone headlands create this warm, honeyed glow. I came here initially for the sunset (everyone in Malta will tell you it’s the spot), but ended up returning day after day for the sheer energy of the place.

This is Malta’s party beach, but in the best possible way. The beach clubs here create this laid-back festival atmosphere where you can roll from a morning cappuccino to afternoon cocktails to evening dinner without ever leaving the sand. 

The bay faces directly west, which means two things: spectacular sunsets and serious afternoon wind. The windsurfers and kitesurfers know this well—by 2 PM, the bay transforms into a colorful chaos of sails and boards. 

But it’s the sunsets that really steal the show. Every evening, a informal gathering develops along the shoreline as locals and tourists alike position themselves for the daily spectacle. 

Pretty Bay might be Malta’s most unpretentious beach, and I mean that as the highest compliment. While other beaches compete on dramatic beauty or pristine nature, Pretty Bay succeeds by being exactly what a local beach should be—accessible, welcoming, and perfectly functional for the business of everyday beach life.

The sand here is imported, which could feel artificial, but somehow doesn’t. Instead, it creates this perfectly groomed environment that works beautifully for families with small children, elderly swimmers who need easy access, and anyone who just wants to enjoy a straightforward beach day without drama. The sea wall protects the bay from rougher weather, creating consistently calm conditions.

What Pretty Bay offers is something increasingly rare: a beach that exists primarily for locals to enjoy, rather than to attract tourists. The result is an authentic slice of Maltese beach culture that’s both welcoming to visitors and genuinely representative of how Maltese families spend their beach time.

The facilities here are excellent. Clean restrooms, good parking, several cafés and restaurants that serve solid local food at reasonable prices, and rental equipment that’s maintained for local use rather than tourist markup. 

The protected conditions mean the water stays warmer longer into the season, and the gradual slope of the imported sand creates perfect conditions for confident swimmers and nervous beginners alike. 

The 15-minute walk down to Ghajn Tuffieha is part pilgrimage, part workout, and entirely worth every step. The winding path descends through Mediterranean scrubland, revealing teasing glimpses of orange-golden sand and turquoise water through the vegetation until you finally round the last corner and the full glory of the bay opens up before you like a reward for your persistence.

Combined with the honey-colored limestone cliffs and that particular shade of blue-green water that Malta does so well, it creates a palette that looks almost artificial until you realize this is just what happens when geology and light collaborate perfectly.

Without the distractions of beach bars and water sports rentals, you become more attuned to the natural rhythms here. It’s meditative in a way that the busier beaches rarely achieve.