We’re in the midst of summer. It’s hot and humid in Malta. Being surrounded by the sea means a very valid reason to head outdoors and spend a day or an afternoon at the beach. We tend to get into a routine whereby we always head out the same beach or two. And it might get a bit boring after a while. So we thought best to share with you some of Malta’s hidden beaches, with the hope of making your summer bursting with new adventures and experiences.
Whether you're looking for a calm stretch of sand or a mini-adventure at the rocky Maltese shoreline, we have identified seven beaches to suit everyone. Scroll down for our ranking of seven of Malta's hidden beaches.
As we did with our selection of family-friendly hikes to do in Malta, we have devised a ranking system for each beach to help you choose one depending on your mood and energy levels. “Accessibility” shows the difficulty to access and “Beach” refers to whether it is a sandy, pebble or rock beach.
DISCLAIMER: Please always check the weather forecast before going to the beach. Rough seas can be dangerous. Furthermore, it is advised that you check site conditions before attempting cliff jumping.
7. St. Peter’s Pool
Accessibility: Medium; Beach: Rocky
The only difficulty in accessing this bay in Marsaxlokk is the 1.5km of the narrow and winding road (accessible to cars) leading you to St. Peter’s Pool. Once there, you simply have to walk a few steps downwards and get to this magnificent gem. It’s a lovely spot for bathing and for jumping in the sea from low to medium heights!
6. Ħondoq Bay (Gozo) hidden bay and cave
Accessibility: Easy; Beach: Rocky
Ħondoq bay in Qala is a very well-known bay in Gozo; a lesser-known part is the hidden bay and cave just off the main pebble beach. The only difficulty in reaching it are the various sharp rocks and uneven ground, thus make sure you were proper footwear. If you don’t feel like walking, you can always opt to swim from the main beach to the hidden bay – make sure you take your snorkelling mask with you – it’s quite a sight underwater!
5. Pixxina Naturali
Accessibility: Difficult; Beach: Rocky
This hidden gem is a short walk away from the nearest parking spot – proper walking/trekking shoes are recommended! Park your car in the parking lot at Għar Lapsi and walk in a South-Easterly direction. Walk on the main footpath for around 15-20 minutes and you see a natural pool, just as the name in Maltese suggests, just beneath you.
If, after a quick dip, you feel like exploring some more, walking on for another 10 minutes, you can get a closer look at Tal-Ħamrija Coastal tower and some grottos.
NB: Just before you go off the main tarmacked road you will be greeted by a sign saying “Falling Rocks”. We were quite stunned by this sign, as we could see people strolling leisurely beyond this point. As always, we suggest caution.
4. Imġiebaħ bay
Accessibility: Medium; Beach: Sandy
The accessibility of this beach is what makes it so interesting. A very narrow road leads to this sandy beach. Although you can access most of the road by car, you may find difficulty in finding a parking space along the road on busy days. At the end of the paved road, take a moment and savour the view before heading downwards towards the beach. Standing on top of the bay is a ruined tower from the times of Grand Master De Redin. You can read more about these towers here.
3. Coral Lagoon
Accessibility: Medium; Beach: Rocky
Coral Lagoon is a natural cave just off Armier Bay in Mellieħa. The natural hole at the top of the cave allows you to either walk to the top or else swim to the cave. Although it is relatively accessible, you have to either walk beyond Aħrax Tower to view the lagoon from above, or else park near Aħrax Bay (sometimes referred to as Coral Beach) and swim or kayak to the cave. Note that kayaking to the cave takes around 30 minutes from Armier Bay. Always ask and follow local advice if planning to get to the cave by sea as prevailing Northerly winds make the passage more difficult.
2. Saint Philip’s Bay
Accessibility: Easy; Beach: Rocky
Possibly the least known hidden beach in the whole list, this tiny rocky bay is next to the more famous Daħlet Qorrot bay in Nadur, Gozo. Accessing it is relatively easy – follow the main road leading to Daħlet Qorrot, but stop around 100 metres before reaching the main beach. There is a clear path on the left-hand side, and one or two parking spots on the right. Saint Philip’s Bay is small but one can swim in shallow crystal clear waters while enjoying views of Sopu Tower.
1. Fomm r-Riħ
Accessibility: Medium; Beach: Pebbles
Accessing this beach is relatively straightforward, as long as you drive to it through Baħrija (and not Mġarr!). The pebbly beach, one of the few such beaches in Malta, is a 10-minute walk away from the nearest parking area. Once there, you can enjoy crystal clear seas and amazing views of the surrounding cliffs. Definitely worth visiting in the afternoon as it makes the ideal spot for sunset viewing. Else you can also opt to visit earlier and enjoy the sunset from the top of the cliffs. Read here for more tips on how best to enjoy Fomm ir-Riħ.
Let us know about your experience in visiting these hidden beaches by tagging @offdisland and @colourmytravel in your adventures!
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