While Malta’s sister island Gozo is known for its lush nature and quaint villages, the amazing beaches make for a perfect visit away from the hustle and bustle of the main island. With several popular spots and secluded hidden gems, there is always a beach around the corner that gives you a taste of peaceful living in Gozo.
To help you with your itinerary of things to do in Gozo, I’ve listed the top 10+ Gozo beaches. I’ve divided them into separate sections: sandy beaches, pebbly beaches, and rocky beaches, to help you decide which are best for you and your travel group.
Have a look at what suits you best, and have an awesome beach day on the small island of Gozo.
Ramla Beach is the most famous and largest sandy beach in Gozo. Best known for its reddish sand, the local name is Ir-Ramla l-Ħamra which translates to the Red Sandy Beach. Undoubtedly, the name encapsulates the beauty of this heavenly pace.
With its large stretch of soft sand, shallow waters, beautiful views and blue flag status, it is an amazing place to swim and sunbathe and is generally very safe. Whether you’re with friends or family, a good day is guaranteed at Ramla Bay.
If you want to enjoy sunbathing, sun loungers (and umbrellas) are available to rent. Meanwhile, if some members of your travel group are up for a dose of fun, you can also rent jet skis, kayaks and other inflatables from the small kiosks on the beach.
As for the amenities available in Ramla Bay, there are a few cafes and plenty of tourist kiosks located close to the beach. Public toilets and a car park (costing €2) are also available. If the car park is full, you can try your luck with street parking.
Although it seems there are a handful of amenities in the area, the actual beach is still a lush patch of raw natural beauty. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting day at the beach, Ramla Bay is certainly one of the best sandy beaches in Gozo worth visiting!
San Blas Bay is Ramla’s secret little sister. It’s quieter, smaller and more peaceful than its bigger neighbour. It is a little less accessible though, as the path is very steep and you’ll want to head down and back up on foot rather than take an offroad drive in your rental car.
With unobstructed, breathtaking views, finding your way to this remote beach is absolutely worth it.
Ħondoq ir-Rummien is located on the southern coast of Gozo, and its crystal clear water is the cleanest in Malta and Gozo. This small sandy beach is one of the best beaches in Gozo ideal for swimming and also a fantastic spot for beginner scuba divers thanks to some small caves at water level.
As the beach isn’t accessible by bus, it’s recommended to go by car or take a taxi. That makes it all the more attractive, as it’s not the busiest place – though locals absolutely love it. With stunning views of Comino and rural surroundings with plenty of saltpans, Ħondoq ir-Rummien is also the perfect place for a late-night barbecue or a countryside hike.
Located on the island’s west coast in San Lawrenz, is Dwejra Bay. Surrounded by dramatic cliffs and rock formations, it was once famous for the Azure Window. While the window collapsed in 2017, Dwejra remains a beloved natural wonder on the Maltese archipelago. It is home to the Fungus Rock and the iconic Inland Sea—a small lagoon of seawater that made its way to the land through a 65-metre natural tunnel.
The Blue Hole is also why locals and tourists alike visit Dwejra, as it’s a superb swimming spot with lots of marine life and rock formations. If you are a scuba diver, you definitely can’t miss out on exploring the underwater world here. The iconic Blue Hole is considered one of Europe’s best dive sites, promising sightings of spectacular marine life and rock formations. While the Azure Window did lose its former glory, you can now admire the rocks it consisted of underwater.
Nestled in the northern cliffs of Gozo, you’ll find the pebbly beach known as Daħlet Qorrot. This serene place offers a perfect getaway and you’ll be able to relax in nature among the few fishermen who like to come here. This small and secluded bay is always relatively calm, even during the summer months.
Spend some well-deserved quality time here, while you enjoy the blue waters – whether you like to jump in from the rocks or descend from a ladder. And as the sea is crystal clear here, it’s also a snorkeller’s paradise.
Up next is one of my favourite Gozo beaches – Mġarr ix-Xini. It’s a small pebbly beach, offering a gentle slope into the calm waters, perfect for children and the careful bathers. And as crowds tend to stay away from MÄ¡arr ix-Xini, you’ll definitely have a serene experience.
For more adventurous swimming, swim towards the open sea and climb up the rocks, where you can safely jump in the water. There is also the opportunity to rent kayaks at a friendly price or hike around the area to explore its splendid nature.
If you’re the adventurous type, Mġ¡arr ix-Xini is also one of the best spots for rock climbing. In short, it truly is one of Gozo’s best beaches.
Fun fact: Starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, By the Sea featured MÄ¡arr ix-Xini as the main filming location.
Marsalforn Bay is Gozo’s most popular resort, and it is easy to see why. Lively and exciting, this seaside town welcomes both Maltese and foreign visitors to enjoy the very best Gozitan summers have to offer. The town’s bay is perfect for sun, sea, and fun, with plenty of bars and restaurants right at the seaside.
This blue flag beach goes all the way along the promenade and runs around the head of the bay. There’s space to sunbathe, but you can also swim towards the deeper waters. Do keep in mind that there could be quite a few boats around the eastern side of Marsalforn Bay.
Xlendi Bay is a fishermen’s paradise and a great place to swim and enjoy Gozitan cuisine. There is a small sandy beach and a picturesque rocky coastline that can easily be accessed as well (which is what most locals — myself included — prefer).
With cool reef formations and a small cave, Xlendi Bay is great for snorkelling and beginning divers. If it’s not too hot to hike, you’ll also have a great time exploring Xlendi’s surrounding cliffs. And if you are starting to get hungry, just sit down in one of the many seafood restaurants along Xlendi’s promenade!
Located on the north coast, Wied il-Għasri is the perfect place for country walks, bike rides, and a refreshing dip in the sea. This might be Gozo’s most stunning valley since its impressive cliffs are intertwined with the sea.
This narrow, small pebbly beach also has plenty of sea and underwater caves to explore. Without many amenities nearby, Wied il-Għasri is a quiet haven.
Qbajjar Bay and Xwejni Bay are two shallow bays near Marsalforn, right next to each other. The two pebbly beaches are excellent for swimming, and the rocks stretch into the clear blue water.
With a couple of bars and restaurants on the seafront, it’s a comfortable place to relax. It’s also a great place to start learning scuba diving and of course, enjoy the picturesque views of the ancient Xwejni Salt Pans.
If you are desperate for a quick swim before you hop on the ferry back to Malta in Mġarr, you are in luck. Just about a 10-minute walk from the ferries, there is one more hidden gem in Gozo: Gorgun Bay. This small beach is a surprisingly peaceful swimming location, close to the ferries but away from the crowds.
While locals know about it, it remains quite secluded. The water is clean, making it an awesome spot for snorkelling, and the large boulders and blue waters with views of Comino and Malta make for an amazing view.
Just around the corner from the idyllic little beach at Gorgun Bay is another local’s favourite: ix-Xatt l-Aħmar. This rocky beach is stunningly beautiful but takes a little hike to reach.
From behind Fort Chambray, on the edge of the village of Għajnsielem, there’s an unbeaten path you can follow to get down to the beach on foot. Alternatively, if you’re driving you can get there by car as well by following the road Triq Santu Liju down from Għajnsielem.
If you’ve got time to hop on a short ferry ride to the nearby island of Comino, don’t miss out on the chance to visit the famous Blue Lagoon!
Known for its crystal clear waters, the Blue Lagoon is like something out of a postcard. You can enjoy swimming, sunbathing and even snorkelling/diving in deeper areas. Despite being flooded by people during high season, I think it’s still worth a visit especially if this is your first visit to the Maltese Islands.
You can get there by taking a ferry from Mġarr Harbour. Generally speaking, you’ll get there in around 15-20 minutes. What’s more, most ferry boats give you a tour of other beloved spots around Comino, including the Crystal Lagoon and the spectacular caves.
You really can’t go wrong if you’re planning to do lots of swimming during your stay in Gozo. It truly is the home of some of the best beaches. If you require more help and further tips, let me know in the comments and I’ll get back to you asap!
Yes! Gozo has a plethora of beaches that are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling and even scuba diving. You can swim in sandy or rocky beaches, depending on your travel group and your preferences.
In general, you have peace of mind that it’s safe to swim pretty much anywhere in Gozo. That said, you should always postpone a beach day if the seas are rough and the weather isn’t pleasant. Additionally, if you have children or aren’t comfortable in deep waters, you should stick to shallow beaches.
There are many species of jellyfish on various beaches in Gozo all year round. Just keep an eye out when you’re swimming but don’t let them spoil the fun!