Pretty Bay
Birżebbuġa · South · 35.825°N, 14.529°E
Pretty Bay is the large sandy beach of southern Malta, right in the heart of the seaside town of Birżebbuġa. Its golden sand and shallow, wave-free water make it one of the safest, most family-friendly beaches on the island: children paddle here as if in a swimming pool, along a long, gentle slope. Lined with a tree-shaded promenade of cafés, restaurants and playgrounds, it appeals first and foremost to the Maltese and to families, with sun loungers among the cheapest in the archipelago. Its setting is one of a kind: facing the bay lies the Malta Freeport, one of Europe's major container ports, whose cranes and container ships make for a resolutely industrial skyline. This neighbour is divisive, but most visitors soon forget about it, won over by the gentle water and the laid-back atmosphere.
Amenities at Pretty Bay
- Toilets
- Showers
- Parking
- Disabled access
- Supervised beach
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Snack bar
- Sun loungers
- Umbrellas
- Snorkeling
- Family beach
Activities available at Pretty Bay
Pretty Bay lends itself above all to family swimming and relaxation. Its calm, clear water allows for a little snorkelling near the rocks that frame the bay, and pedalos can be hired on the sand in season. Along the promenade, sports lovers also find beach volleyball and football courts and a skatepark. For a trip out to sea, boat excursions depart from the neighbouring village of Marsaxlokk, for example towards St Peter's Pool and its turquoise waters.
Where to stay near Pretty Bay
Birżebbuġa remains a residential town rather than a seaside resort, but Pretty Bay has one seafront address, the CA Sand Dune Hotel, whose rooftop terrace overlooks the bay. Around it, accommodation mainly takes the form of seafront apartments and guesthouses, prized for their quiet and gentle prices. For a wider choice, the centre of the island and the east coast, better served, remain within reach by car or bus.
Location of Pretty Bay
Pretty Bay borders the town of Birżebbuġa, at the southern tip of Malta, along a sheltered bay opening onto the deep-water harbour of Marsaxlokk. The present-day beach is partly man-made: originally rocky, the bay was filled with sand to create this long stretch of golden sand, extended by a promenade planted with palm trees, with cafés, restaurants and playgrounds. Opposite lies the Malta Freeport, a vast container terminal that defines the whole skyline, while planes from the nearby Luqa airport pass regularly over the bay. The fishing village of Marsaxlokk, famous for its market and its colourful boats, can be reached on foot in about thirty minutes along the coast.
Getting to Pretty Bay
By bus to Pretty Bay
Pretty Bay lies at the very south of Malta, in Birżebbuġa. Two direct services run there: route 82 from Valletta (around 49 minutes, supplemented by the 80), and routes 119 and 205 from the airport (14 to 18 minutes). From other towns, such as Sliema or St Julian's, expect to take two buses, usually changing at Bombi or Balbi. The stop serves the promenade directly, just steps from the sand.
* Summer fare Jun–Oct (€2.00 the rest of the year)
Calculate the current journey time on Malta Public Transport
By car to Pretty Bay
A car remains a handy way to reach Pretty Bay, conveniently set at the entrance to Birżebbuġa. If you have gone for a car rental, allow around 25 minutes from the airport and 40 minutes from Valletta. Free parking spaces line the promenade, but they go quickly on Sundays and in high season, so arrive early.
As the beach is step-free, access from the street and the car park involves no stairs, a real plus with a pushchair or for people with reduced mobility.
Without a car, the simplest option is a car with a driver. Malta's white taxis are not recommended; go for eCabs (a local service), Uber or Bolt instead. Allow around twenty minutes from the airport. Pretty Bay pairs easily with a visit to the nearby fishing village of Marsaxlokk.
Reviews of Pretty Bay
Pretty Bay holds a place of its own among Malta's beaches: it is one of the only large sandy beaches in the south, right in the heart of Birżebbuġa. Families love it above all for its shallow, calm and wave-free water, where children swim safely along a long, gentle slope. The urban beach, lined with a promenade of cafés and restaurants, rounds out the picture with its playgrounds, sports courts and sun loungers among the most affordable on the island.
The setting, for its part, is like no other: directly opposite lies the Malta Freeport, a vast container port whose cranes and ships trace an industrial skyline. This is by far what divides visitors the most. Some are put off by it and find the name misleading; the majority, on the other hand, take it in their stride, look out instead towards the open sea and even find a certain charm in the procession of cargo ships lit up in the evening.
Beyond the port, the main reservations concern cleanliness, which varies from day to day and is noticeably poorer after busy weekends, as well as the Sunday and summer crowds. The water quality, often dreaded because of the port, nonetheless turns out to be good and clear most of the time, with fish visible near the shore. To make the most of it, it is best to come early in the morning and on weekdays, outside high season.
Strengths
- One of Malta's few genuine sandy beaches, and the main one in the south
- Shallow, calm and wave-free water: ideal and safe for young children
- Well-equipped urban beach: promenade, cafés, restaurants, playgrounds, sports courts
- Sun loungers and parasols among the cheapest on the island (around 10 to 13 € for the set)
- Step-free access, with no stairs, and lifeguards in season
- Jellyfish very rare and sheltered swimming, in a family-friendly, local atmosphere
Weaknesses
- The Malta Freeport faces the bay: cranes and container ships dominate the skyline
- An industrial setting that divides opinion and contrasts with the name 'Pretty Bay'
- Cleanliness can be patchy after busy weekends or a spell of wind
- The beach fills up fast on Sundays and at the height of summer, and parking can be full
- An occasional smell of fuel and water sometimes clouded by the crowds
Frequently asked questions about Pretty Bay
Where is Pretty Bay?
Pretty Bay is located in Birżebbuġa, at the very south of Malta, along a sheltered bay. It is one of the few large sandy beaches in the south of the island.
Does the container port spoil the beach?
The Malta Freeport faces the bay and marks the skyline with its cranes and container ships: the setting is clearly industrial. It divides visitors, but most take it in their stride quickly, especially as the water and the sand have nothing to envy elsewhere. Many even find a certain charm in the spectacle of the cargo ships, particularly when lit up in the evening.
Is Pretty Bay suitable for children?
Yes, this is one of its great strengths. The water is shallow over a long distance, calm and wave-free, watched over by lifeguards in season. The beach is step-free, with playgrounds nearby.
Is the water clean despite the port?
Contrary to fears, the water is most often clear and clean, with fish visible near the shore. It can become clouded on very busy or windy days, and a smell of fuel is sometimes reported, but this remains occasional.
How do you get to Pretty Bay?
By car, allow around 25 minutes from the airport. By bus, route 82 serves the beach directly from Valletta, and routes 119 and 205 from the airport; from other towns, plan on two buses with a change, usually at Bombi or Balbi.
Are there facilities at Pretty Bay?
Yes, it is a well-equipped urban beach: sun loungers and parasols to hire (among the cheapest on the island), showers, toilets, cafés and restaurants along the promenade, playgrounds and sports courts. Lifeguards watch over the bay in season.
Does Pretty Bay have the Blue Flag?
No. Pretty Bay does not appear on the list of Maltese beaches awarded Blue Flag status in 2025.