Mellieħa Bay
Mellieħa · North-west · 35.958°N, 14.347°E
Mellieħa Bay is the largest sandy beach in Malta, stretching 800 metres along the northwest coast of the island. Its shallow waters are unique: you can walk up to 50 metres before the water reaches chest height, making it a particularly safe beach for children and novice swimmers. The beach naturally divides into two sections: the left side (towards the Red Tower), quieter and ideal for snorkeling near the rocks, and the right side, longer and livelier. Holding a Blue Flag award, it offers sunbeds, parasols, restaurants, water sports and lifeguards.
Mellieħa Bay is one of the 10 Blue Flag beaches in Malta. The Blue Flag is an internationally recognised eco-label awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches that meet rigorous criteria in four areas: water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and services. It is one of the most trusted quality marks for a clean, safe and well-managed beach worldwide.
Amenities at Mellieħa Bay
- Toilets
- Showers
- Changing rooms
- Parking
- Disabled access
- Supervised beach
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Snack bar
- Sun loungers
- Umbrellas
- Kayak
- Boat trips
- Snorkeling
- Family beach
Activities available at Mellieħa Bay
Mellieħa Bay is a large, well-equipped beach that also offers several activity options. For children of all ages, the Summer Fun Water Park is a fun-packed water park with inflatable structures, delighting young and old alike for a few dozen euros depending on the package.
For the more adventurous, the must-try experience is parasailing, a thrill at over 10 metres high that lets you admire the entire bay and its surroundings. It is also possible to rent a Jet Ski, Paddleboard or Kayak around the beach. For jet skis, the best value option is to rent from Bluewaves Watersports and then head to Mellieħa Bay by sea. The same applies to kayak hire — renting from Little Armier Beach makes it easier to reach Coral Lagoon.
Where to stay near Mellieħa Bay
Mellieħa Bay lies at the foot of the town of Mellieħa. Accommodation options directly around the beach (Ghadira Bay) are quite limited. It is worth noting that Mellieħa is built on a hillside: if you choose accommodation in the town centre, for example near the Church of Our Lady of Mellieħa, you will need to take some form of transport (bus or taxi) to reach Ghadira Bay beach, as the descent is very steep and tiring.
Directly next to Ghadira Bay beach, there are mainly three accommodation options: the db Seabank Resort + Spa, the Mellieħa Holiday Centre and the Luna Holiday Complex. The db Seabank Resort + Spa and the Mellieħa Holiday Centre are two large, full-service complexes located less than 100 metres from the sandy beach, with only the road to cross. The Luna Holiday Complex is a well-equipped 3-star hotel with studio rooms and a pool offering an open view over Mellieħa Bay. It is located approximately 300 metres on foot from the start of the bay.
Location of Mellieħa Bay
Mellieħa Bay, also known as Għadira Bay, is located in the municipality of Mellieħa in the northwest of the island. Mellieħa Bay (Mellieħa Bajja in Maltese) and Għadira Bay refer to the same place: Għadira Bay is the official name of the beach, while Mellieħa Bay is the name of the bay. Over time, Mellieħa Bay has become the name most widely used by tourists and hotels.
The town of Mellieħa is built on a hillside overlooking the bay — the views from the streets of the town centre are stunning, but reaching the sand requires a steep descent. The bay stretches at the foot of the Red Tower (Torre Ħamra), built in the 17th century by Grand Master Lascaris as a coastal watchtower. Behind the beach, separated by the national road leading to the Marfa peninsula and the Gozo ferry, lies the Ghadira Nature Reserve — a protected coastal wetland that serves as a refuge for migratory birds and is one of the last preserved natural areas in Malta.
Getting to Mellieħa Bay
By bus to Mellieħa Bay
Mellieħa Bay is well served by the Maltese public transport network. There are 5 bus stops along the beach: Skrajda, Padrino, Mellieħa Rand, Ghadira, Mellieħa Bay.
* Summer fare Jun–Oct (€2.00 the rest of the year)
Calculate the current journey time on Malta Public Transport
By car to Mellieħa Bay
If you have rented a car during your stay in Malta, you will find plenty of parking near Mellieħa Beach, including a car park at the far end of the beach towards the Red Tower. During the summer months the beach gets very busy, and parking spaces can be hard to come by.
The easiest and fastest way to reach Mellieħa Bay is by private hire. Maltese taxis (white taxis) are not the recommended choice — a ride-hailing app is usually a better option. The three most popular services in Malta are eCabs (a local provider), Uber and Bolt. All three offer a comparable level of service and similar pricing.
Mellieħa is a popular destination, so drivers are readily available both for the journey there and for the return Trip.
Reviews of Mellieħa Bay
Mellieħa Bay is Malta's largest sandy beach (800 m). Its shallow floor — you can walk up to 50 metres before the water reaches chest height — makes it suitable for swimming with children and non-swimmers. It holds a Blue Flag certification and offers sunbeds, parasols, restaurants, water sports and lifeguards during the season.
The left side of the beach, towards the Red Tower, is suitable for snorkeling near the rocks. The right side is longer and more lively.
In July and August, visitor numbers are high. Toilets are frequently in poor condition during this period and the water can become murky due to boat traffic and heat. Jellyfish and seaweed appear at certain times of year.
April to June and September to October offer quieter conditions.
Strengths
- Malta's largest sandy beach (800 m) — more room than most other beaches on the island
- Gently sloping beach: up to 50 m of shallow water, ideal for non-swimmers and children
- Blue Flag certified — monitored water quality and up-to-standard facilities
- Easily accessible beach, well served by the public bus network
- Good snorkeling on the left side, near the rocks towards the Red Tower
- Free-access sandy areas available without any obligation to hire sunbeds
Weaknesses
- Victim of its own popularity, particularly in July–August (beach fully saturated)
- Hard to find a parking spot after 10am in July and August
- Toilets regularly closed or in a deplorable state
- Busy national road directly behind the beach — constant traffic noise
- Water regularly murky and sometimes unpleasant-smelling in high summer (boats, crowds, heat)
- Occasional jellyfish at the start and end of the season; seaweed with northerly winds
- Some sunbed and parasol operators are inconsiderate
Frequently asked questions about Mellieħa Bay
Are Mellieħa Bay and Għadira Bay the same place?
Yes. Għadira Bay is the official name of the beach, while Mellieħa Bay is the name of the bay. Over time, Mellieħa Bay has become the name most widely used by tourists and hotels.
Is Mellieħa Bay suitable for young children?
Yes, it is one of the most family-friendly beaches in Malta. The exceptionally shallow water — you can walk up to 50 metres before it reaches chest height — makes it particularly safe for young children and novice swimmers. Lifeguards are on duty during the season.
Is there an entry fee for the beach?
No, the beach is free and open to all. Sand areas are accessible without any obligation to hire sunbeds. Sunbeds and parasols are available for hire (around €18 per pair) for those who want them.
Is there parking at Mellieħa Bay?
Yes, there are several car parks near the beach, including one towards the Red Tower. In July and August, spaces become very hard to find after 10am.
What is the best time to visit Mellieħa Bay?
April to June and September to October offer the best conditions: calm seas, pleasant temperatures and much smaller crowds. In July and August the beach is at its most crowded and toilets are often in poor condition.
Is snorkeling possible at Mellieħa Bay?
Yes. The left side of the beach, towards the Red Tower, offers worthwhile snorkeling near the rocks. Visibility may be reduced in high season due to crowds and boat traffic.
Does Mellieħa Bay hold a Blue Flag award?
Yes, Mellieħa Bay is Blue Flag certified, guaranteeing water quality and compliance with environmental and service standards.