10 Maltese rocky beaches you have to visit!

Looking for less populated beaches where sand won’t get stuck to every part of your body? Well, you’re in the right place.

We’re about to walk you through the top 10 rocky beaches in Malta with tips on how to get there and what you’ll find when you arrive.

1. Armier Bay

Situated smack in the middle between the popular Ghadira Bay and the Cirkewwa Gozo Ferry, Armier Bay is the perfect location for those who want to go to a secluded rocky area.

And in case you’re a bit undecided of whether or not you want to stay in the sand, you can swim from the rocky part of the beach to the sandy part and back in a few minutes, enjoying the best of both worlds!

Getting there from Valletta: 41, 42, 101, 221, 222

2. Anchor Bay

It’s not the easiest place to get to, especially if you’re going by bus… but believe us when we tell you that it’s all worth the effort.

Facing Popeye’s village, and forming a part of the break-water, you’ll find that even on bad beach days, this one will still be nice to swim in.

Getting there from Valletta:  41,42 to Mellieha, then 101 to Popeye Village

3. Fra Ben

Probably one of the more crowded and touristy rocky beaches in Malta, Fra Ben in Qawra is more on the popular side when it comes to thinking of places to swim in.

It’s got all amenities, with public restrooms, kiosks to buy food and even deckchairs and umbrellas for rent.

Getting there from Valletta: 12,31

4. Ġnejna

Considered to be one of the more popular beaches on the island, Gnejna is quite popular with the residents in the vicinity. We recommend heading here early, as it gets populated quite quickly.

You’ll also get the best of both worlds here, given that there’s a part of the bay all covered in sand, but this area is easy to avoid, thanks to its rocky counterpart.

Getting there from Valletta: 44

5. Surfside Sliema

You have 3 options to choose from when it comes to swimming; there’s the open sea, a little shallow kids pool area which is also suitable for dogs, and about 5-6 rock pools that have sea water flowing in and out of them.

If you’re going for the sea pools, we recommend going early, as these are typically claimed quite fast.

Surfside is the perfect location for a sunbathing session, with all the amenities you can imagine close by.

Getting there from Valletta: 13, 14, 16, 21

6. St Peter’s Pool

The biggest challenge will probably be getting there, but again, this is one of those locations that is completely worth the travel effort.

This beach is famous for having a high place to dive off of and into the crystal clear sea beneath you. It’s also known with people frequenting the area as the favourite location of titty the diving dog, who passed away in early 2019.

Getting there from Valletta: 81

7. Għar Lapsi

You have 2 options here: either go to the closed off cave area and swim in the vicinity of the shore, or walk a few metres and swim in the open seas.

We do recommend you go on a week day, as due to its popularity with Maltese people, it might get a bit overcrowded at times.

Getting there from Valletta: 62 to Siggiewi, then 109 to Providenza and walk to the Bay

8. L-Ahrax tal-Mellieha

This bay is not for the faint hearted, as it does take a bit of a challenge to swim out of if the currents aren’t in your favour.

Getting there takes a bit of a hike, but it’s worth the walk.

Jump into the little naturally formed pool at your own risk, as you’ll have to swim out of the cave and into the open seas to get out of the water.

Getting there from Valletta: 41, 42

9. Bajja ta’ San Tumas

Split part in sand and part as a rocky beach, this bay is all the rage with people residing in the south of Malta. If you don’t like crowded areas, maybe try to stay clear of this bay during peak hours.

With café’s and restaurants all around the area, this bay is ideal for those who want to swim, chill and grab a quick bite to eat after.

Getting there from Valletta: 91

10. Qui si Sana

The beach that starts in Sliema and ends in St Julian’s. During peak summer months, you can expect to see your fair share of sunbathers soaking up the sun here.

With plenty of flat rocks to spread your towels on, ladders conveniently placed every so often, and a lot of cafeterias, restaurants and gabbanas in the vicinity, this is the perfect beach to visit if you’re in the Sliema area.

Getting there from Valletta: 238