Mellieha Bay Malta

A Local Guide to Malta's Largest Sandy Beach

Mellieħa Bay, also known as Ghadira Bay, is Malta's largest sandy beach and one of the island's most popular seaside spots for locals and visitors alike. Located in northern Malta, just below Mellieħa village, it has a long, shallow shoreline and plenty of beach facilities, making it particularly practical for families and anyone who prefers easy access to a beach with sunbeds, food, and activities nearby. In peak summer, especially at weekends and on public holidays, expect it to be busy.

Mellieha Bay is our favourite beach too. I have come here with my family since I was very young. We used to come for the day with other relatives from early morning, staying till late evening.

As children, we would enjoy ourselves swimming, building sand castles and eating ice creams. Meanwhile, the adults would enjoy the chance to relax, enjoy the sea, and indulge in a bit of sunbathing.

Mellieħa Bay stretches for around 800 metres, with the sandy shoreline divided into several adjoining sections by short rocky areas. It is also a Blue Flag beach and, because of its length, offers much more space to choose from than many of Malta's smaller sandy bays.

This is not a remote or secluded beach. Mellieħa Bay is well developed, with hotels, restaurants, lidos, beach services and water activities close to the shore. That makes it a particularly convenient beach for spending several hours or a full day, although it gets much busier during the peak summer months.

Wide view across Mellieha Bay

On this page

• Is Mellieha Bay Right for You?
• Swimming at Mellieha Bay
• Facilities at Mellieha Bay
• How to Get to Mellieha Bay
• Best Time to Visit Mellieha Bay
• Where to Stay Near Mellieha Bay
• Other Beaches Near Mellieha Bay
• Things to Do Near Mellieha Bay

Is Mellieħa Bay Right for You?

Mellieħa Bay suits a wide range of visitors, particularly families, first-time visitors and anyone looking for a sandy beach with plenty of facilities close by. Its convenience is one of its biggest strengths, but the busy summer atmosphere and roadside setting will not suit everyone. Here are the main advantages and things to consider before deciding if Għadira is the right beach for you.

Why We Like Mellieha Bay

• Mellieħa Bay is one of Malta's Blue Flag beaches and has a long sandy shoreline, giving visitors more choice of where to settle than at many smaller bays.
• The shallow, gradual entry into the sea is one of its biggest advantages, particularly for families with young children who enjoy paddling and playing close to shore. Children should, of course, always be supervised.
• It is an easy beach to spend a full day at, with restaurants, lidos, kiosks, drinks and other services close to the sand.
• During summer there is a good choice of water sports and beach activities, while designated corridors allow operators to reach open water from the shore.
• Sunbeds and umbrellas are widely available during the main beach season, although you can also bring your own beach equipment.
• Public transport makes Mellieha Bay relatively easy to reach from several of Malta's main tourist areas.
• Maltese families genuinely use this beach. Building sandcastles, digging little pools in the shallows and spending long summer days by the sea are all part of the typical Għadira experience.
• We particularly like Mellieha Bay later in the day, when the strongest heat begins to ease, and it's very pleasant to stay for a swim, something to eat, or simply enjoy the bay into the evening.

What to Keep in Mind

• Mellieħa Bay gets very busy in peak summer, particularly at weekends and on public holidays, but that does not mean every part of the beach is crowded throughout the entire day. Early morning is popular with families arriving for a full beach day, while later in the afternoon the beach can become more relaxed as some daytime visitors begin to leave. If you prefer a quieter summer visit, this can be a very pleasant time to come.
• Parking can become difficult surprisingly early in the day during summer. Roadside spaces and the main parking areas can fill quickly, which is why many locals prefer to arrive early.
• Buses can also become busy when large numbers of people leave the beach in the late afternoon and early evening, especially during the main summer months.
• The beach runs alongside a busy main road towards Ċirkewwa and the Gozo ferry, so although the bay itself is attractive and convenient, it does not have the isolated feel of some of Malta's smaller beaches.

Swimming at Mellieha Bay

One of Mellieha Bay's most distinctive features is its shallow, gradual entry into the sea. The water stays relatively shallow for a good distance from the shore before deepening farther out, which makes the bay particularly enjoyable for paddling and spending time in the water without immediately reaching deep water.

If you prefer a deeper swim, you will generally need to go farther out than you would at many of Malta's steeper or rocky swimming spots. The gradual entry is one of the main reasons Mellieha Bay is so popular with families, although actual depth and sea conditions can vary from day to day and between different parts of the bay.

Summer swimming crowds at Mellieha Bay

Swimming Safety

The shallow water is one reason Mellieħa Bay is so popular with families, but shallow does not mean risk-free. Young children should still be supervised closely, and everyone should consider the weather and sea conditions on the day rather than assuming the bay will always be calm.

During the bathing season, marked swimmer zones are established at Mellieħa Bay to separate swimmers from boats and other watercraft. Water-sports operators use designated access corridors from the shore towards open water, while leisure boats generally remain outside the protected swimming areas. Use the areas marked by the current buoys and beach signage, as the exact configuration can change.

If conditions look rough or you are unsure where it is appropriate to swim, follow the information and instructions displayed at the beach.

Facilities at Mellieha Bay

One of Mellieħa Bay's biggest advantages is how well equipped it is. You will find restaurants and beach clubs, kiosks, sunbeds and umbrellas, freshwater showers, toilet facilities and seasonal water sports around different parts of the long bay, so it is easy to spend several hours or a full day here without having to bring everything with you.

This makes Għadira particularly convenient for families and first-time visitors who prefer a beach with nearby services. You can find more general information about beach facilities in Malta, while below we explain what you can realistically expect specifically at Mellieha Bay.

Accessibility, Showers and Toilets

Access to Mellieħa Bay is relatively straightforward because the promenade runs alongside the beach, with stairs and access points leading down towards the sand. Wooden walkways span sections of the beach, making it easier to walk across the soft sand from some access points.

Freshwater showers are available at designated points along the bay, which are particularly useful after swimming or spending a full day on the beach. A public toilet facility is available in the first part of the bay, while the various lidos and restaurants along Għadira also provide toilets for customers.

Accessibility facilities have been improved around Mellieħa Bay over the years, but the exact arrangements can differ between sections of this long beach. If you have specific mobility requirements, check the facilities available at the part of the bay you plan to use before visiting.

BBQs and Camping

BBQs at Mellieħa Bay are regulated rather than freely permitted anywhere along the beach. Current guidance states that a permit from Mellieħa Local Council is required and gas BBQs may only be used within the designated Għadira BBQ zones. Because the permitted areas and conditions can change, check the latest Malta Ranger Unit BBQ guidance or contact Mellieħa Local Council before organizing one.

Camping is not permitted at Mellieħa Bay itself. Within the Mellieħa locality, camping is restricted to designated camping zones at Aħrax and requires a permit from Mellieħa Local Council. Because the permitted areas and conditions can change, check the current guidance before planning an overnight stay. Għadira itself should be treated as a day-use beach rather than a campsite.

Sunbeds and Umbrellas

During the main summer season, sunbeds and umbrellas are widely available for rent along Mellieħa Bay, with several lidos and beach operators providing them on different stretches of the shoreline. This makes Għadira particularly convenient if you want to arrive without carrying much beach equipment.

You do not have to rent a sunbed to enjoy the beach. Many locals bring their own umbrellas, chairs, towels and other beach equipment, especially when spending the whole day here with family. The commercial sunbeds also do not extend right down to the water's edge. Operators use designated areas of the beach, while a strip of shoreline is kept free in front. There are also areas where you can settle with your own umbrella, chairs or towels, so renting beach furniture is certainly not compulsory.

Outside the main beach season, availability is much more limited and should not be relied upon. From our own visits during warm winter and early-spring days, we have occasionally seen a small number of sunbeds still being offered or used, even when the sea is too cold for most Maltese people to swim. However, don't expect the extensive summer setup during the winter months.

Sunbed rental area on Mellieha Bay

Food, Lidos and Kiosks

You will not struggle to find somewhere to eat or drink at Mellieha Bay. Along the bay there is a mixture of beach clubs and lidos, sit-down restaurants and smaller kiosks, ranging from places where you can stop for a coffee or ice cream to restaurants where you can have lunch or dinner overlooking the sea.

Some established beachside options include Blu Beach Club, Munchies Mellieha Bay, San Remo Beach Club and Ventuno, while Il Pirata Mellieha Bay and Vecchia Napoli Mellieha are among the nearby sit-down restaurant choices. Smaller kiosks line the beach, including Grioli Juniors and Sandy Waters, where you can find drinks, ice creams, snacks, and simple meals.

During summer, the whole area is much more active, and several beach operators combine food and drinks with services such as sunbeds and umbrellas. Outside summer, do not assume everything around Għadira closes. From our own visits during the quieter months, several of the larger restaurants and beach clubs remain useful places for a meal, coffee, or a drink by the bay, although individual opening days and beach services can change with the season.

Water Sports and Boat Trips

Water sports are a major part of Mellieħa Bay during the summer beach season. Depending on the operator and conditions, you can find activities such as kayaks, paddle boats, jet skis and inflatable rides, making Għadira a particularly good choice if your group wants more than simply swimming and sunbathing.

Despite the amount of activity on the water, swimmers and water sports are kept apart. During the bathing season, operators use designated access corridors from the shore towards open water, while leisure boats generally remain beyond the protected swimmer areas. Always follow the current buoys, signs and instructions at the beach.

Outside the main summer season, Mellieħa Bay can look very different. From our own winter visits, we have often seen windsurfers taking advantage of windy conditions and the shallow bay when there are far fewer swimmers around. Windsurfing and other wind-powered activities therefore form part of Għadira's quieter off-season character, although availability depends heavily on the weather.

You can also join boat trips directly from Mellieħa Bay. Cruises leave from the Tunny Net Jetty area for destinations such as Comino, the Blue Lagoon and Gozo, which can be particularly convenient if you are staying around Għadira or Mellieha rather than travelling to another harbour first.

How to Get to Mellieha Bay

Mellieħa Bay is relatively easy to reach because it lies directly beside the main road through northern Mellieħa towards Ċirkewwa and the Gozo ferry terminal. This makes the beach convenient whether you are arriving by car or public transport, but bear in mind that the road running alongside Għadira can be busy with through-traffic, particularly during the busier parts of the day.

By Car and Where to Park

Mellieħa Bay is straightforward to reach by car because the main road runs directly alongside the beach. There is roadside parking along parts of the bay as well as a public parking area towards the northern end, but availability changes considerably depending on when you visit.

During the quieter months and outside the busiest times, finding somewhere to park is normally much easier. In peak summer, particularly at weekends and on public holidays, parking can fill surprisingly early in the morning. From our own experience, many Maltese families deliberately arrive early partly to secure a space before spending the day at the beach.

If the public spaces are full, the underground car park at db Seabank Resort + Spa can be a useful paid alternative close to the beach, subject to availability. Do not assume that the private parking areas belonging to every nearby hotel or holiday complex are open for general beach parking.

If you are already staying in Mellieħa village, it can sometimes be easier during busy summer periods to leave the car where you are staying and take a bus down to Għadira instead.

By Public Transport

Mellieħa Bay is very well served by public transport, with several bus routes stopping at Għadira along the main road beside the beach. Routes can change, so always check the latest Malta Public Transport journey information before travelling.

• From Valletta: Routes 41, 42, 49, 250 and X300 serve Mellieha Bay. Route 250 terminates at Għadira.
• From Buġibba, Qawra and St Paul's Bay: Routes 221 and 222 are useful direct services towards Mellieha Bay.
• From Sliema and St Julian's: Route 222 provides a direct connection to Għadira.
• From Ċirkewwa and the Gozo ferry terminal: Several southbound services stop at Għadira, including 41, 42, 101, 221, 222 and X300.
• From Malta International Airport: The former X1 service no longer operates. The current airport network includes TD1 towards Mellieha and Ċirkewwa, but stopping patterns differ, so check the journey planner for the most convenient connection to the beach on the day you travel.

One local tip for summer: buses leaving Mellieha Bay can become very busy in the late afternoon and early evening when large numbers of beachgoers start heading home. If you have flexibility, avoiding the main departure rush can make the return journey more comfortable.

Best Time to Visit Mellieha Bay

For the full Mellieħa Bay beach experience, summer is the main season, when swimming, sunbeds, umbrellas, water sports and beach activity are at their busiest. July and August can become particularly crowded, especially at weekends and on public holidays. If you are driving, arriving early also gives you a better chance of finding parking.

During the hottest part of summer, we prefer early morning or later in the afternoon and evening. Late afternoon can be particularly enjoyable because the strongest heat starts to ease and some of the earlier beachgoers begin heading home. It is common to see families arriving later with food and drinks, relaxing on the sand while children and adults play football, frisbee or other beach games before staying on towards sunset. You do not have to arrive first thing in the morning to enjoy Għadira in summer. The promenade is also much more comfortable for a walk once the intense daytime heat begins to drop.

Mellieħa Bay is still worth visiting outside summer. On mild sunny winter days, locals come here to walk along the promenade, sit on the beach, play games or football with their children and stop for coffee or lunch, even when swimming is not the reason for visiting. Several of the larger restaurants and beach clubs continue to give the area some life during the quieter months, while windy conditions can also attract windsurfers. Winter Għadira feels much calmer than summer, but it is not simply a beach that closes for the season.

Family building sandcastles at Mellieha Bay

Where to Stay Near Mellieha Bay

If the beach is a major part of your holiday, staying around Għadira can be very convenient. db Seabank Resort + Spa and Mellieha Holiday Centre are both directly beside or very close to Mellieħa Bay, putting the sand, lidos, restaurants and summer beach activities within easy reach. This area works particularly well for families and visitors who want a more beach-focused stay without travelling to the bay every day.

For a wider choice of accommodation and a more practical all-round holiday base, consider Mellieħa village. Hotels such as Maritim Antonine, Solana and Pergola are based around the village, where you also have more restaurants, shops and everyday services. The beach is still easy to reach by bus, although remember that Mellieħa village sits uphill from Għadira, which makes walking back from the beach less appealing in the summer heat.

There are also plenty of apartments and self-catering options around Mellieħa, which can be especially useful for families, longer stays or anyone wanting more space and the ability to prepare some meals themselves. Some established accommodation complexes also offer apartment-style or bungalow accommodation rather than only traditional hotel rooms.

The former Mellieħa Bay Hotel should not currently be considered an accommodation option, as the property is closed for redevelopment. Compare the wider choice of places to stay in the area, see our guide to Mellieħa hotels.

Sunbeds beside db Seabank at Mellieha

Other Beaches Near Mellieha Bay

Mellieha Bay is surrounded by several other good beach choices in northern and north-western Malta. They offer quite different experiences, so if Għadira does not sound like the right fit for you, one of these may suit you better.

• Paradise Bay is a much smaller and more enclosed sandy bay close to Ċirkewwa. It has attractive views towards Gozo and Comino, but reaching the beach involves a long flight of steps, so it is much less convenient for anyone with mobility difficulties.
• Armier and Little Armier Bay have a quieter, more local feel than Għadira. They are worth considering if you still want a sandy northern beach with facilities but prefer somewhere less resort-like.
• Golden Bay is another broad sandy beach with facilities close by and is particularly popular for its west-facing setting and sunsets.
• Għajn Tuffieħa Bay has a more natural setting below the surrounding slopes and is a good alternative if scenery and a less developed atmosphere matter more to you. Bear in mind that reaching the sand involves a substantial staircase.

If you are still deciding which coast or swimming spot best suits your day, our guide to the best beaches in Malta and Gozo compares more of the island's main beach choices.

Things to Do Near Mellieħa Bay

Mellieħa Bay is also a convenient base for several nearby attractions and nature spots, so you can easily combine a beach day with history, walking, wildlife or a family attraction without travelling far.

Popeye Village and Anchor Bay

Just beyond the western side of Mellieħa is Popeye Village at Anchor Bay, the original film set built for the 1980 Popeye movie. The colourful wooden village has been preserved and is now a family attraction with entertainment and activities that vary according to the season.

It is particularly convenient if you are staying around Mellieħa because you can combine part of the day at Għadira with a visit to Popeye Village without travelling across the island. The attraction also operates outside the main summer season, although opening times, activities and packages change through the year, so check the current arrangements before visiting.

The Red Tower

Standing high on Marfa Ridge above Għadira, St Agatha's Tower, better known as the Red Tower, was completed in 1648 and is one of the most recognisable landmarks in northern Malta. From its elevated position, there are impressive views over Mellieħa Bay, the surrounding countryside and towards Comino and Gozo.

It is a good addition if you want to combine your beach visit with a little Maltese history and a panoramic view of the area. The tower is managed by Din l-Art Ħelwa, so check their current visitor opening arrangements before making a special trip to go inside.

Historic Red Tower near Mellieha Bay

Foresta 2000

Close to the Red Tower is Foresta 2000, an area of restored Mediterranean woodland overlooking Għadira. Walking trails pass through woodland, garrigue and other natural habitats, making it a useful contrast to spending the whole day on the beach.

Foresta 2000 is open throughout the year and free to enter, so it can be particularly enjoyable when you want a walk or some quieter time in nature. Bear in mind that parts of the site are steep and the trails are not suitable for everyone with limited mobility.

Għadira Nature Reserve

Very close to Mellieħa Bay is Għadira Nature Reserve, an important wetland and saltmarsh managed by BirdLife Malta. Migrating birds use the reserve as a place to rest and feed, and visitors may also spot other wildlife around the trails and pools.

Unlike the beach, this is especially useful for an autumn, winter or spring visit, as the nature reserve is normally open to the public between September and May rather than during the main summer beach season. Entry is free, although opening days and times should be checked before visiting.

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We are Albert and Benjamin Magro, two Malta locals who enjoy exploring the island and sharing practical advice with visitors. Our guides combine local knowledge with first-hand visits to Malta’s towns, beaches, attractions and accommodation areas. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for more Malta tips, photos and videos.