Xlendi Bay
Xlendi · South-west · 36.029°N, 14.216°E
Xlendi is a sheltered cove tucked at the end of a limestone channel on the south-west coast of Gozo, long a fishing village before it grew into a small seaside resort. Its character is not that of a sandy beach but of a natural swimming basin: a narrow strip of sand at the head of the bay, then rocky platforms, metal ladders and a diving board for slipping into deep, clear water. The spot appeals above all to couples, divers and swimmers, drawn by the transparency of the water, the cliffs that close off the horizon and the seafood restaurants lined up along the quay. Families find their place in the shallow area marked off at the back of the cove, as long as they avoid the summer crowds. It is a picturesque, photogenic stop, made for contemplative swims and sunsets rather than a lazy day on the sand.
Amenities at Xlendi Bay
- Toilets
- Showers
- Parking
- Supervised beach
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Snack bar
- Kayak
- Boat trips
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Family beach
Activities available at Xlendi Bay
Beyond swimming and exploring the bay with a mask and snorkel, Xlendi also offers a few water-based activities. Boat trips to Comino and the Blue Lagoon set off from the bay, and you can also hire a jet ski here. For visitors not staying nearby, a handy way to tour the island is the hop-on hop-off bus, which stops at Xlendi as well as at Ramla Bay, Gozo's legendary beach.
Where to stay near Xlendi Bay
Spending the night at Xlendi means enjoying the bay in the calm of the evening, once the day's buses have left. The Block Hotel brings life to the village with its rooftop pool and dive centre, while the family-run Hotel San Andrea lines the promenade. To stay closest to the water, the St. Patrick's Hotel occupies the seafront, its restaurant reaching right down to the shore.
Location of Xlendi Bay
Xlendi sits at the head of a sheltered cove on the south-west coast of Gozo, about three kilometres from Victoria, the island's capital. The bay is dominated by Xlendi Tower, a 17th-century watchtower perched on the headland, reached by a staircase cut into the cliff that also leads to the old salt pans and a sea cave. On either side, a coastal path links the Sanap cliffs and Dwejra Bay, around two hours' walk away. The village has kept its fishing harbour and its row of restaurants, which notably served as a backdrop for the film By the Sea.
Getting to Xlendi Bay
By bus to Xlendi Bay
Xlendi is easy to reach by bus from Victoria, Gozo's main transport hub, where direct lines set off for the bay. The buses stop at the entrance to the village, a few minutes' walk from the seafront and the beach.
* Summer fare Jun–Oct (€2.00 the rest of the year)
Calculate the current journey time on Malta Public Transport
By car to Xlendi Bay
By car, Xlendi is about ten minutes from Victoria via the villages of il-Fontana or il-Munxar, the road dropping down to the head of the bay. A large free car park runs along the seafront, but it fills up in high season and at weekends: it is then better to arrive early in the morning or to park a little higher up, along the road. From Malta, access is via the Ċirkewwa ferry to Mġarr, followed by about twenty minutes' drive.
Without a car, the simplest option is a car with driver. Malta's white taxis are not recommended; go for eCabs (the local service), Uber or Bolt, and allow extra time for the ferry crossing. An open-top sightseeing bus also serves the beach in season.
Reviews of Xlendi Bay
Xlendi ranks among the most photogenic spots in Gozo, and the quality of its water, clear and deep right from the edge, wins everyone over. Swimming here is unusual: you enter the water not from a beach but via ladders, rock slabs and a diving board, which makes it ideal terrain for swimmers and a renowned diving and snorkelling spot, all the way to the cave that pierces the headland. The downside lies in the gap between expectation and reality: the "beach" comes down to ten metres or so of sand hemmed in by restaurant terraces, quickly packed in summer, and comfort remains limited, with little shade and stone benches in place of sun loungers. The recent development, made up of sometimes unfinished buildings, disappoints visitors attached to the character of the place, and the bay can turn cloudy after rain or in rough seas. Xlendi is therefore best enjoyed outside the height of summer, early in the morning or at sunset, water shoes on and the idea of a sea pool rather than a lido in mind.
Strengths
- Crystal-clear water, calm and deep right from the shore, sheltered at the end of a channel between two cliffs.
- A renowned diving and snorkelling spot, accessible to beginners, with rich marine life and a cave to explore beneath the headland.
- Swimming sea-pool style: ladders, rocky platforms and a diving board, ideal for strong swimmers.
- Seafood restaurants and a well-known gelateria along the quay, facing the sunset.
- A spectacular cliff setting, and the starting point for hikes to Xlendi Tower, the salt pans and the Sanap cliffs.
- A large free car park and a direct bus link from Victoria.
Weaknesses
- A tiny sandy beach, barely ten metres or so, quickly overrun in high season.
- Little shade and very little room to lay out a towel or set up a parasol, with most people settling on the stone benches along the quay.
- Recent development, made up of sometimes unfinished buildings, that spoils part of the setting.
- Free parking that fills up in summer, and access to the water over the rocks that makes water shoes all but essential.
- Water that can turn cloudy after rain or in rough seas, with occasional bouts of seaweed in spring or jellyfish.
Frequently asked questions about Xlendi Bay
Is Xlendi a real sandy beach?
Not really: the sand is limited to a narrow strip at the head of the bay. Most of the swimming is done from rocky platforms, ladders and a diving board, in deep, clear water.
Is the bay suitable for families with young children?
Yes, in the shallow area marked off at the back of the cove. Beyond that, the water quickly becomes deep and access via the ladders is better suited to strong swimmers.
How do you get to Xlendi by bus?
From Victoria, lines 306 (about 19 minutes) and 330 serve the bay directly. From the Mġarr ferry, you first have to reach Victoria, then take the 306, which takes about 38 minutes.
Is there parking?
Yes, a large free car park serves the bay. It does fill up quickly in summer and at weekends, though, so it is best to arrive early.
Does Xlendi have the Blue Flag?
No. In Gozo, the label is awarded to Ramla Bay, Marsalforn and Ħondoq Bay, but not Xlendi.
What activities are there besides swimming?
Renowned diving and snorkelling, with a cave to explore, boat trips to Comino and the Blue Lagoon, and clifftop paths to Xlendi Tower and the Sanap cliffs.
When is the best time to visit?
From late May to October for swimming, with the water staying pleasant into the autumn. To avoid the crowds, aim for early morning or late in the day.