Mellieha Bay
Mellieħa, Malta
Malta's longest sandy beach with incredibly shallow turquoise waters, a paradise for families with young children.
Mellieħa, Malta
Malta's longest sandy beach with incredibly shallow turquoise waters, a paradise for families with young children.
Location
Mellieħa, Malta
Sand Type
Soft White
Water Clarity
Shallow & Clear
Facilities
Sunbeds, Restaurants, Water Sports, Parking, Lifeguards
Best Season
May – October
Nearest Airport
Malta International (MLA)
Mellieħa Bay (Għadira Bay) holds the distinction of being the longest sandy beach on the Maltese Islands, stretching for over 800 metres along the northwestern coast. Nestled at the foot of the hilltop town of Mellieħa, the beach sits within the Għadira Nature Reserve area, where migratory birds rest in the saltmarsh behind the dunes — a rare meeting of wildlife and seaside leisure.
The bay's most celebrated feature is its extremely shallow water. You can wade out dozens of metres before the sea reaches waist height, making it the safest beach in Malta for toddlers and young children. The soft white sand is clean and well-maintained, and the bay is lined with sunbed concessions, restaurants, and water sports operators offering kayaks, pedalos, and jet skis. Lifeguards keep watch from May through October.
The town of Mellieħa above the bay is worth exploring too. The Parish Church offers panoramic views of the bay, while the Red Tower (St Agatha's Tower) on the ridge provides one of the finest viewpoints in Malta, looking out towards Gozo and Comino. After a day at the beach, the town's restaurants serve excellent Maltese seafood and rabbit stew, the national dish. Mellieħa Bay combines convenience, safety, and natural beauty in equal measure.
Mellieħa Bay is flat and easily accessible from the roadside. The promenade runs along the back of the beach, and wheelchair users can reach the sand via gentle ramps. The shallow water is accessible for those with limited mobility, making this one of Malta's most inclusive beaches.
Mellieħa Bay is about 30 minutes by car from Valletta and well served by public buses (routes 41, 42, and 101 from Valletta). A large car park sits directly alongside the beach. The Gozo ferry terminal at Ċirkewwa is just 10 minutes further north.
🏰 Red Tower
17th-century watchtower with panoramic views to Gozo
🦅 Għadira Nature Reserve
Saltmarsh reserve for migratory bird spotting
⛪ Mellieħa Parish Church
Hillside church with stunning bay views
🎬 Popeye Village
Famous film set turned family amusement park