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Mellieħa & Golden Bay
Malta's best sandy beaches in the north, plus the film-set village used for Popeye.
Where to stay
The north is where the sand is, and where families tend to base themselves.
- Mellieħa town — Up on the ridge above the bay, with the shops, the church and the views. You walk or drive down to the beach.
- Mellieħa Bay, Għadira — Right on the biggest sandy beach on Malta, with the resort hotels.
- Golden Bay — A small cluster around one beach, quieter and more self-contained.
- Buġibba and Qawra — Fifteen minutes east, cheaper, busier and much more built up. The budget end of the north.
The beaches
Malta has very little sand, and most of what it has is here.
- Mellieħa Bay, Għadira — The largest sandy beach on the island, shallow a long way out, and the easiest with small children.
- Golden Bay — Sandy, organised, with a hotel above it and sunbeds. The most convenient of the three.
- Għajn Tuffieħa — Next door, down around two hundred steps, and correspondingly emptier and more natural. The steps back up in August are real.
- Popeye Village — The film set from the 1980 musical, on a small bay, now a family attraction. Divisive, and children mostly love it.
- The Red Tower — On the ridge above, with a view across to Gozo and Comino.
Getting there
- From the airport — Around forty-five minutes.
- From Sliema — Roughly forty minutes by car, longer by bus.
- To Gozo — Ċirkewwa, the Gozo ferry terminal, is about ten minutes away, which makes this the natural base for combining the two islands.
- To Comino — The shortest boats to the Blue Lagoon also leave from Ċirkewwa.
How long to stay
- A beach day — Which is what most people come for.
- Two to three days — With Gozo and Comino as day trips, since both are close.
- A week — Works as a family base, though you will want a car or a lot of patience with buses.
Worth knowing before you go
- These beaches are busy in July and August, and Mellieħa Bay especially so on Sundays when the Maltese come too.
- Għajn Tuffieħa has around two hundred steps down and back up. Worth it, but not with a lot of gear.
- Being ten minutes from Ċirkewwa makes this the easiest base for Gozo and Comino.
- The north is quieter out of season, and several restaurants close in winter.
Plan your trip to Mellieħa & Golden Bay
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Mellieħa & Golden Bay: frequently asked questions
Where are the sandy beaches in Malta?
Almost all in the north. Mellieħa Bay, also called Għadira, is the largest, with Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa nearby. Most of the rest of the coast is flat rock.
Golden Bay or Għajn Tuffieħa?
Golden Bay is easier, organised and has a hotel above it. Għajn Tuffieħa is next door, down about two hundred steps, quieter and more natural. Pick by whether you mind the climb.
Is Mellieħa a good base for Malta?
Yes for a beach or family holiday, and especially if you want Gozo and Comino, since the Ċirkewwa ferry terminal is ten minutes away. Less good if you want restaurants and nightlife.
Is Popeye Village worth it?
With children, generally yes. It is the original film set on a small bay, now run as a family attraction. Adults travelling without children usually skip it.
How far is Mellieħa from the Gozo ferry?
About ten minutes to the Ċirkewwa terminal, which is why it is the usual base for anyone combining the two islands.
Is Mellieħa Bay good for children?
Yes. It is the largest sandy beach on Malta and stays shallow a long way out.