Are there any beaches in Valletta?

Despite its small size, Valletta is a first-class cultural, historical and gastronomical attraction. Best of all, it’s surrounded by the beautiful azure Mediterranean sea. While Valletta is not a prime swimming location, there are a couple of secluded spots in the city that are local favourites. 

So, what are your options if you’re staying in Valletta and dying to swim? Let’s find out!

St Elmo Bay & Boat Street

St. Elmo Bay is situated on the south side of the city, just below the bastions of Marsamxett harbour. In addition to being a swimming spot, it’s also a famous diving site as there’s an underwater wreck of the WWII British destroyer HMS Maori. 

It’s particularly ideal for rookie divers, as its sheltered position and depth provide a relatively safe environment for those looking to dip their toes into the underwater world. The site hosts a myriad of underwater flora and fauna including octopuses, red groupers, cuttlefish and red mullets. 

The rocky area near Valletta United’s Waterpolo Pitch is another secluded swimming spot that’s often ignored by tourists but is a local favourite because it’s not as over-crowded in summer as the other islands’ main swimming spots. 

Other Swimming Spots

Since Malta is a small island, it’s quite easy to stay in Valletta and travel to Malta’s most popular beaches by bus or taxi. That being said, here are a couple of great beaches that you should definitely visit while you’re in Malta:

Mellieha Bay is located in the northern town of Mellieha and is easily one of Malta’s most popular sandy beaches. It has a lot of great amenities and is close to a tonne of casual restaurants and bar. Mellieha Bay is also a popular spot for water sports such as surfing and kayaking.

Ghajn Tuffieha is known for its picturesque beaches. Golden Bay is one of Malta’s prime sandy beaches and hosts the Ghajn Tuffieha International Scout Campsite. Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is known for its beautiful vistas, clay slopes and reddish sand. 

Gnejna Bay in Mgarr, has a clothing-optional area and is known for being a gay-friendly swimming space.

Marsaxlokk’s St Peter’s Pool is perfect for those individuals who like to explore locations that are slightly off the beaten track. This natural pool is blessed with cerulean waters, flat rocks and rich marine biodiversity. These features (and more) are exactly why it’s popular with swimmers, sunbathers, divers and snorkelers alike.