Ramla Bay (Gozo)
Xagħra · North · 36.061°N, 14.283°E
Ramla Bay, or Ramla l-Ħamra ("the red sand beach"), is the largest and most famous beach on the island of Gozo. Its orange-red sand, unique in Malta, stretches across the foot of a lush green valley that has stayed clear of concrete: not a single hotel or apartment block stands on the shore, only a natural setting protected under Natura 2000. The water, shallow and clear, slopes gently away from the beach, which makes it ideal for families. The site is watched over by the Cave of Calypso, where legend places the episode from Homer's Odyssey, and by a white statue of the Virgin Mary that has stood in the bay since 1881. At the foot of the rocks lie the remains of a Roman villa, a reminder of the long history of the place.
Ramla Bay (Gozo) 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 Ramla Bay (Gozo)
- Toilets
- Showers
- Parking
- Supervised beach
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Snack bar
- Sun loungers
- Umbrellas
- Snorkeling
- Family beach
Activities available at Ramla Bay (Gozo)
At Ramla Bay, the star activity is swimming with the family, in shallow and clear water, rounded off with a little snorkelling along the rocky edges. The site also lends itself to walking: a steep path climbs up to the Cave of Calypso and its viewpoint, and other trails link the neighbouring coves, such as San Blas. Sunbeds, umbrellas and a few items of water gear can be hired right on the sand in season.
An easy way to discover Ramla Bay as well as the rest of the island of Gozo is to use a hop-on hop-off bus, available right from the Mġarr ferry terminal.
Where to stay near Ramla Bay (Gozo)
There is no hotel right around Ramla Bay. The nearest hotels are in the town of Xagħra, such as the Segond Hotel and the Cornucopia Hotel, about a five-minute drive from Ramla Bay. The small harbour of Marsalforn, around ten minutes from Ramla beach, also has a handful of hotels, such as the popular Hotel Calypso with its sea view.
Location of Ramla Bay (Gozo)
Ramla Bay nestles on the north coast of the island of Gozo, at the foot of a fertile valley shared between the villages of Xagħra and Nadur. The bay, about three hundred metres wide, is framed by terraced hills and protected dunes, without the slightest building on the sand. To the west, the Cave of Calypso looms over the site from its clifftop, tied to the myth of Odysseus, held for seven years by the nymph; closed today, it can be admired from a viewpoint reached on foot or by road. In the middle of the beach stands a white statue of the Virgin Mary, erected in 1881, and at the foot of the rocks survive the remains of a Roman villa. The villages of Xagħra and Nadur, as well as the seaside resort of Marsalforn, lie just a few minutes away.
Getting to Ramla Bay (Gozo)
By bus to Ramla Bay (Gozo)
Ramla Bay is on the island of Gozo: you first have to cross by ferry from Ċirkewwa to the port of Mġarr (a crossing of about 25 minutes), then take a Gozitan bus. From the Mġarr ferry terminal, route 322 reaches the beach in around twenty minutes. From Victoria, the capital of Gozo, take the 302 (direct) or the 303 then the 322. The stop leaves you about a seven-minute walk from the sand, and buses become less frequent off season.
* Summer fare Jun–Oct (€2.00 the rest of the year)
Calculate the current journey time on Malta Public Transport
By car to Ramla Bay (Gozo)
A car, taken across on the ferry, remains the most flexible way to reach Ramla Bay. If you have gone for a car rental, cross from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr, then follow the signs for Xagħra and "Ramla". A road runs down the valley to a car park beside the beach, with free parking along the road as well; in summer, it is best to arrive early.
A second car park, higher up near the Cave of Calypso, lets you combine a swim with the panorama over the bay. From the car park, a short path leads down to the sand.
Without a car, the easiest option is a car with a driver. The white Maltese taxis are not recommended; go for eCabs (a local service), Uber or Bolt instead, and allow extra time for the ferry crossing. A hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus also serves the beach in season.
Reviews of Ramla Bay (Gozo)
Ramla Bay stands out as the must-see beach on Gozo, and for many the finest in the whole archipelago. Its orange-red sand, rare anywhere in the world, and its unspoilt natural setting, with nothing built on the shore, give it an almost wild feel. The clear water, shallow over a long stretch, makes it a safe playground for children, while the Cave of Calypso, perched above the bay, offers one of the best viewpoints on the island.
The main drawback is the entry into the water, often stony before you reach the sandy bottom: water shoes are useful, and the right-hand side of the beach, past the lifeguard post, gives an entry that is all sand. Crowds are the other limit, at the peak of summer and at weekends, when the sand fills with umbrellas and the car park fills up from the morning.
A few reservations come up about the price of sunbeds, often payable in cash, and about cleanliness that varies in high season. The bay, open to the sea, can also turn to a red flag in strong wind, and seagrass and jellyfish sometimes drift in. To make the most of it, it is best to come early in the morning or off season, and to keep in mind the ferry stage to reach Gozo.
Strengths
- The most famous orange-red sand in Malta, truly one of a kind
- The largest sandy beach on Gozo, in an unspoilt natural setting (Natura 2000)
- Shallow, clear and gently sloping water: ideal and safe for families
- A wild, concrete-free landscape, overlooked by the Cave of Calypso and its sweeping views
- Rare heritage: the remains of a Roman villa and a statue of the Virgin Mary in the bay
- A Blue Flag beach, with lifeguards on duty in season
Weaknesses
- The entry into the water can be stony in places: water shoes come in handy (pure sand to the right)
- Very busy at the height of summer, with a car park that fills up quickly
- Sunbeds and umbrellas for hire are considered pricey, and often payable in cash
- Seagrass (posidonia) and jellyfish can appear depending on the wind, especially off season
- The bay is exposed to wind and swell: swimming is sometimes banned (red flag)
Frequently asked questions about Ramla Bay (Gozo)
Why is the sand at Ramla Bay red?
Its orange-red colour, which gives it its Maltese name of Ramla l-Ħamra ("red sand beach"), comes from the iron oxide naturally present in the rock. It is a rare shade, and it is what makes the beach, and the island of Gozo, so distinctive.
Is Ramla Bay suitable for children?
Yes, that is one of its great strengths. The water slopes gently and stays shallow over a long stretch, and lifeguards watch over swimmers in high season. As the entry can be stony at times, water shoes are useful; the right-hand side of the beach offers an entry that is all sand.
How do you get to Ramla Bay from Malta?
Ramla Bay is on the island of Gozo: you need to take the ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr (about 25 minutes), then a car or a Gozitan bus. By bus, route 322 serves the beach from the ferry terminal, and routes 302 or 303 from Victoria.
Are there facilities at Ramla Bay?
Yes, despite its wild setting: toilets, showers, parking, sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, and a few restaurants, kiosks and ice-cream vans along the beach. Most open in season; off season, what is on offer is very limited.
What is the Cave of Calypso?
It is the cave that overlooks Ramla Bay, where legend places the episode from Homer's Odyssey, when the nymph Calypso held Odysseus for seven years. The cave itself is closed today, but its viewpoint offers one of the finest panoramas on Gozo, especially at sunset.
Is swimming always possible at Ramla Bay?
Not always. The bay is open to the sea and, in strong wind, the water rises quickly: a red flag may then ban swimming. The north wind sometimes also pushes seagrass or jellyfish towards the shore. It is best to check the weather before coming.
Does Ramla Bay have the Blue Flag?
Yes. Ramla Bay is one of the three beaches on Gozo awarded the Blue Flag, along with Marsalforn and Ħondoq ir-Rummien.