Home » Gozo Island » Ramla l-Hamra beach
Ramla l-Ħamra (also referred to as Ramla Bay) is Gozo’s largest sandy beach on the North coast of the island, which is just a short (25-minute) ferry ride away from the island of Malta.
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As with most beaches in Gozo, most are largely unspoilt by man, and Ramla l-Ħamra is no exception. Although a few snack bars have been erected at the edge of the sand in recent years, this beach offers a true glimpse of what all of Malta was once like – undisturbed, peaceful and full of natural beauty.
In that sense, it’s similar to Għajn Tuffieħa, and, therefore, one of my favourite bays in the Maltese islands. Clean waters, a beautiful beach, raw, unspoilt natural surroundings. Brilliant.
Ramla l-Ħamra means “red sandy beach” in Maltese: the sand has a reddish hue (similar to that of Golden Bay) and is nestled in a valley, surrounded by sand dunes and rocky cliffs. Swimming is safe at this long and wide beach, and it is popular with families, locals, and snorkelers. The water is pretty shallow, getting deeper gradually, making it a good location to swim safely with kids.
There are no hotels or tourist establishments nearby, and although it’s probably the most popular beach in Gozo, it’s not extremely busy (as it can be in Mellieħa Bay in Malta, for example), even when the summer season is in full swing. Ramla l-Ħamra is one of the three bays in Gozo that carries the Blue Flag status (the other two being Marsalforn Bay and Ħondoq ir-Rummien), having a lifeguard on duty, various facilities and a safety flag system. Its management and preservation are ensured by the Gaia Foundation, an NGO.
Entry to the water can be a little tricky in certain places, with some parts of the bay being pebbly, but overall, it’s a great beach to go for a swim and enjoy some sunbathing on the red sand in a peaceful and naturally beautiful environment.
While this article covers the red beach called Ramla Bay in Gozo, there is another one bearing almost the same name in Malta.
Located in Marfa, just before Ċirkewwa, Ramla tal-Qortin is a small bay with rocky sides and clear water. Although there is no sand, it’s quite popular among locals, who own boathouses in the area. Nearby, there is a smaller private bay called Ramla tal-Bir, whose access is reserved for the Ramla Bay Resort guests.
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Ramla l-Ħamra is one of my Best Beaches in Gozo.
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There’s some history to this beautiful natural place as well, with some Roman ruins resulting from a villa once overlooking the bay, richly decorated with marble and stucco and boasting its own hot bath supplied with fresh water from a nearby natural spring.
During the time of the Knights of St. John, the valley was fortified to defend Gozo from foreign threats, constructing the Vendome battery in 1715 and a submerged wall to deter invaders from landing on the beach.
On the cliffs at the western end of the beach is the mythical Calypso’s Cave (said to have belonged to Calypso, the mythological nymph as described in Homer’s Odyssey). According to legend, Ulysses was held captive by her for seven years before resuming his journey back to his homeland.
A testament to the strong religious faith of the Gozitans (and Maltese), a white statue of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Hope, stands firm in the middle of the bay. This statue honouring the Holy Mary was erected back in 1881 and still weathers the elements until today.
It’s relatively easy to reach by car, with several signs indicating its Northerly location, nearby Xagħra (the closest village) and Nadur. Parking is available alongside the road that leads to the sea.
There’s a nearby bus stop as well, so if you depend on public transport, you’ll find Ramla l-Ħamra easy to reach as well from Victoria (Gozo’s capital and main public transport hub). Bus 302 takes you straight to within a 5-minute walk from the beach, and the bus ride will take around 20 minutes.
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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