St George's Bay
San Ġiljan · North-east · 35.926°N, 14.488°E
St George's Bay is THE beach of St Julian's: a small sandy cove in the heart of Paceville, Malta's liveliest party district. Above all it is the beach of the under-25s (language students, young tourists, partygoers), buzzing from morning until late at night. The sand, brought in to turn a once-rocky cove into a beach, is fairly coarse and the space is limited, but the location is unbeatable: you go from your towel to a bar, a restaurant or a club in just a few steps. Blue Flag and with a lifeguard in summer, it appeals through convenience more than beauty. The downside of its popularity: it gets crowded fast and cleanliness often leaves something to be desired in peak season.
St George's 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 St George's Bay
- Toilets
- Showers
- Parking
- Disabled access
- Supervised beach
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Snack bar
- Sun loungers
- Umbrellas
- Kayak
- Snorkeling
- Diving
Activities available at St George's Bay
St George's Bay, the legendary beach of St Julian's, offers plenty of activities. On the beach, pedalo and kayak rentals are available for anyone wanting to explore the bay from the surface. For thrill-seekers, water sports such as parasailing or towable rides are also on offer. Several jet ski rental options are available in the area too. Booking ahead is strongly recommended: these activities are in high demand, especially in peak season.
Several companies also run speedboat trips from St Julian's, letting you discover other must-see spots, including the famous Blue Lagoon of Comino.
As St Julian's is Malta's liveliest area, plenty of land-based activities are also just a few hundred metres from the beach: bowling, cinema, nightclubs, casino, and more.
Where to stay near St George's Bay
St George's Bay and its surroundings have the highest concentration of hotels in Malta: dozens of establishments surround the beach, a very wide accommodation offering for every budget. Two of the island's most legendary addresses sit right on the bay: the Corinthia St George's Bay and The Westin Dragonara, two iconic 5-star hotels with direct access to the sea.
Another must, the iconic H Hotel overlooks both St George's Bay and the Paceville nightlife district: a hotel as luxurious as it is iconic, with a deliberately flashy style.
For value for money, less than 5 minutes from the beach, the Alexandra Hotel will meet the expectations of moderate budgets. Finally, for tight budgets, there are hostels and budget hotels such as The St. George's Park Hotel, which will delight travellers on a shoestring, as well as night owls for whom bedding is not the top priority.
Location of St George's Bay
St George's Bay lies on the northeast coast of Malta, in the municipality of St Julian's (San Ġiljan), at the head of a bay of the same name. It backs directly onto Paceville, the island's main entertainment and nightlife district, making for a very urban, lively setting.
The bay is surrounded by large hotels and lined by the coastal promenade that links St Julian's to Sliema. Spinola Bay with its picturesque fishing harbour, Balluta Bay and countless restaurants, cafés and shops are all close by. The beach is easily reached on foot from these neighbourhoods.
Getting to St George's Bay
By bus to St George's Bay
St George's Bay sits in the heart of St Julian's, a very well-served area. Two stops border the beach directly: the Ganado stop and the Paceville stop. Direct buses connect the bay to Valletta (TD13), the airport (AD2), Sliema, St Paul's Bay and Mellieħa.
* Summer fare Jun–Oct (€2.00 the rest of the year)
Calculate the current journey time on Malta Public Transport
By car to St George's Bay
If you have rented a car during your stay in Malta, bear in mind that St Julian's and Paceville are very dense areas where parking is difficult. There is no dedicated beach car park — only street parking nearby, which is often full during the day and in the evening. Several paid car parks are available in Paceville.
The simplest option is a ride-hailing service. The three most popular in Malta are eCabs (a local provider), Uber and Bolt. As St Julian's is one of the busiest areas on the island, cars are readily available, day and night.
Reviews of St George's Bay
St George's Bay is no postcard beach: its appeal lies first and foremost in its location, right in the heart of St Julian's. It is the quintessential young people's beach: language-school students, groups of friends and the Paceville crowd gather here to sunbathe before the evening's outings. The lively, international atmosphere is its real strength, with restaurants and bars a stone's throw away and water that is often pleasant in the morning.
The beach does have its limits, though. Tiny, it gets saturated by early afternoon in summer. Cleanliness regularly leaves something to be desired (cigarette butts, litter, murky water), owing to overcrowding and insufficient maintenance. The sand is artificial and coarse, sunbeds are charged for, and some sections are privatised by hotel clubs. Since 2024, major construction work around the bay has further weighed on the setting.
It is best enjoyed early in the morning, in spring or early autumn, away from the summer crush. All in all, St George's Bay is the ideal beach for young adults looking for a lively, buzzing environment, but one to avoid for travellers looking for a calm, natural spot.
Strengths
- Unbeatable location in the heart of St Julian's and Paceville: bars, restaurants, hotels and nightlife just steps away
- One of the few sandy beaches you can walk to in the middle of town — perfect for a swim between outings
- Young, international atmosphere, lively from morning until late at night
- Water often clean and calm in the morning, ideal for a quick swim
- Blue Flag certified, with a lifeguard on duty in summer
- Direct buses from Valletta, the airport, Sliema, St Paul's Bay and Mellieħa
Weaknesses
- Tiny beach, saturated by early afternoon in high season
- Cleanliness often lacking (cigarette butts, litter, murky water), a result of overcrowding and insufficient maintenance
- Imported, coarse sand, without the charm of a natural beach
- Paid sunbeds and parasols, with parts of the beach privatised by hotel clubs
- Major construction work around the bay since 2024 (noise, cranes, spoilt views)
Frequently asked questions about St George's Bay
Is St George's Bay a natural sandy beach?
No. The cove was originally rocky; the sand was brought in to create the beach. As a result it is quite coarse and sometimes mixed with small gravel, although the entry to the water remains sandy.
Is St George's Bay a Blue Flag beach?
Yes, St George's Bay is Blue Flag certified, typically from 15 June to 15 September, guaranteeing water quality and standard-compliant services.
Is there a lifeguard?
Yes, a lifeguard is on duty during bathing hours throughout the summer high season.
Is there an entry fee for the beach?
No, access to the beach is free. However, sunbeds and parasols are available for hire at a charge, and some areas are run by hotel beach clubs.
How do I get to St George's Bay?
The beach is right in St Julian's, easily reached by bus (direct from Valletta, the airport, Sliema, St Paul's Bay and Mellieħa), taxi or ride-hailing. Parking a car in the area is difficult.
Is St George's Bay suitable for families?
Mainly for a quick swim: the water is shallow and a lifeguard is on duty in summer, but the beach is small, popular with a young crowd and quickly crowded in the afternoon.
When is the best time to visit?
Early in the morning and outside the high season (spring, early autumn) for cleaner water and fewer crowds. In July and August the beach fills up quickly.