Home » Valletta - Malta's capital city » Best beaches in Valletta
Although Malta’s capital city of Valletta is a peninsula surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, there are no real (sandy) beaches in and around the area. The sea on both sides of the Capital is used as a harbour, so it’s not necessarily a popular place to swim.
That being said, there are a few suitable swimming spots around Valletta where people (mostly locals) go for a dip.
So, are you thinking of heading to the small island in the Mediterranean soon? Are you thinking of staying in Valletta but want to go to the beach? In this guide, I’ll provide you with a couple of tips and tricks about the best beaches in Malta, both near and outside of Valletta.
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Valletta was built on a rocky peninsula for a reason: It was much easier to defend from seaward attacks than an open sandy bay that would make it easy for soldiers to land on shore.
All things considered, the lack of sandy beaches in Valletta isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you want to beat the crowds. Especially if you’re after the best beaches near Valletta that only locals would know about, you’ll be happy to know that there are a few key spots along the city’s coastline in places that are safe and well away from any ships entering the harbours on either side.
Without any further ado, here are the top Valletta beaches that would recommend:
St. Elmo Bay is a Valletta beach situated on the West-facing Marsamxett Harbour side of the city. With a few easy entry points into the sea, Its rocky shoreline is easily accessible. It is close to the entry point from the open sea.
What’s more, it’s a great spot for snorkel enthusiasts and beginner divers. Alongside being a secluded beach, St Elmo Bay is actually one of the most famous diving sites on the main island, as there’s an underwater shipwreck of the WWII British destroyer HMS Maori.
On the same side of Valletta, you can find a small area next to the water polo pitch with steps hewn into the rock that make it easy to swim and is another local’s favourite spot. Not many tourists know about it, so it’s less crowded during peak season.
Finally, on the Grand Harbour side, there’s a part of the coastline across the road from the Mediterranean Conference Centre (formerly La Sacra Infermeria – Knight’s Hospital), where you’ll find a few fisherman’s boathouses and easy entry points (steps) to get into the sea and enjoy a swim. You can find it under the name “Wuestenwinds Beach” on Google Maps.
Note: I wouldn’t call any of these spots family-friendly, especially since there aren’t any shallow waters. Look elsewhere if you’re looking to take a dip with the kids in town.
From the moment you set foot in Malta, you’ll discover that it’s quite easy to get from place to place via public transport. Especially if you’re staying in Valletta, having the bus terminus just outside City Gate is handy if you want to explore other sandy shores across the main island.
And on that note, here are some of the best beaches in Malta that are easy to reach from Valletta by bus:
Located just below the Radisson Golden Sands Hotel, Golden Bay is a lovely sandy beach on the west coast of Malta with Blue Flag certification (a status that indicates the availability of amenities, lifeguards, nature conservation, etc.) In short, it’s one of the best beaches and ideal for families and groups of friends. The journey from Valletta lasts about 1-1.5 hours, depending on the traffic.
Bus Route from Valletta: 44 (Final Stop)
Għajn Tuffieħa is a beach largely untouched by man, with golden sand, clay slopes and lovely natural surroundings and is located just south of Golden Bay. This beach attracts locals and tourists every year, but bear in mind that you need to descend (and go up) 200 steps to get to it.
Bus Route from Valletta: 44 (Final Stop)
Located in Marsaxlokk right next to a cliff face, St Peter’s Pool is a famous natural pool with crystal clear waters, flat white rocks, and a plethora of marine life. In a nutshell, it’s a diver’s or snorkel’s paradise and a real treat for travellers who would like to explore the rocky shores and off-the-beaten-track beaches on the southern coast of Malta.
Bus Route from Valletta: 81 (Stop at Abdosir – 30-minute walk to the location)
Perched on the island’s north coast is the stunning Mellieħa Bay, Malta’s largest sandy beach.
Being the most popular beach on the island, it does tend to get pretty busy, but it’s a great beach to go to with kids since the majority of it has shallow water, and lifeguards are always present.
Basic facilities such as restaurants and toilets are available. You can also take part in water sports activities or catch some rays when renting a sun lounger.
Bus Route from Valletta: 49 (Final Stop)
Paradise Bay is a nice beach located a little further up from Mellieħa Bay. Part of it is reserved for guests staying at the Paradise Bay Hotel, but other than that, it’s accessible to all.
It’s a lovely little beach with sandy and rocky parts, making it ideal for families with kids and good swimmers who’d like to venture further out. When you visit Paradise Bay Beach, you can rent out a sun lounger for the day and grab a bite from the restaurant.
The journey from Valletta lasts around an hour, but bear in mind that once you get off at your stop, there’s an 18-minute walk to get to the beach.
Bus Route from Valletta: 41 or 42 (Stop at Musa – 18-minute walk to the location)
Don’t like the sound of those travel times and want to go to sandy beaches regularly on your holiday? In that case, perhaps Valletta may not be the right choice as a home base for you.
Quick suggestion: If you plan on sticking to public transport and going to a nearby beach during your visit to Malta, consider staying closer to these sandy beaches by looking at accommodation in Buġibba, Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay or staying in or around Mellieħa.
On the other hand, you can still choose Valletta as your base and opt for a hire car instead. This way, you can reduce travel time and enjoy a short drive along the coast. For the best options and prices on the best car companies in Malta, you can search and compare car hire deals here,
Find out whether Valletta is the right place for you to stay or whether there are better places to stay in Malta.
If you’re looking to enjoy some good beach time while staying in Valletta, there are a few great options for day-trippers:
This Beaches & Bays tour takes you to Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon on a spacious catamaran and a few of Malta’s most beautiful bays, like Għajn Tuffieħa and the picturesque Anchor Bay. A great option also if you’re into water sports and snorkelling! (TIP: Use coupon MALTA5 for a discount!)
Looking for a more private experience? MyDreamMalta offers a customisable half or full-day out, taking you to some of the best beaches in Malta, such as the following:
What’s more, you’ll be given snorkelling equipment, so you’ll be able to discover more of Malta’s fascinating marine life as you sail through hidden coves.
Edward is the Founder and Editor of Malta Uncovered and author of two guidebooks on Malta and Valletta.
As a tourist-turned-expat with Maltese roots, he knows the islands inside out and helps thousands of visitors enjoy a memorable trip every year.
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