If you want Gozo’s big sandy beach with gentle water and room to spread out, Ramla Bay is the one. If you prefer rock platforms and solitude in high season, time your visit or pick another cove. The sand is red-golden.
Whether it suits you depends on what you want from a beach day: soft sand instead of rock, easy swimming rather than cliff-jumping, and simple on‑beach facilities rather than a wild bay. May to October is best for beach time. Early morning or late afternoon avoids the busiest times.
The beach is on the north-east coast of Gozo. It sits between Marsalforn and San Blas. The closest village is Xagħra. You will also hear it called Ramla l-Ħamra, and its Maltese name is Ir-Ramla l-Ħamra, meaning red sands.
From the Gozo ferry, it is about 20 minutes by car to Ramla Bay. Coming from Malta’s north, from St Paul's Bay it is about 30 minutes by car to Cirkewwa for the ferry, then continue across to Gozo and follow the signs inland to Xagħra and down to the bay. If you are visiting on a wider island itinerary, Ramla pairs well with the inland fort at victoria cittadella and the UNESCO temples at ggantija temples, or you can build it into a relaxed gozo day trip.
It is open year-round, with no gates or closing hours. May to October is best for beach time, but even off-season it is a lovely walk for the colour of the sand and the backdrop of terraced hills.
Entrance is free. Sunbed and umbrella rental is available. A small café serves snacks, drinks and ice cream. Public restrooms are available. Some full‑day Gozo tours include Ramla Bay and cover transport plus the ferry, which is handy if you do not want to drive.
Parking near the beach is available. Parking is free. In summer, arrive early or late for the easiest space and a quieter stretch of sand.
It is one of the largest beaches on Gozo. Unlike many rocky beaches in Malta, this is a sandy beach. The water is crystal-clear and calm, with a long, gently shelving entry that suits less confident swimmers. Water depth near the shore is shallow. It is suitable for swimming.
It is suitable for families. The long, soft foreshore is good for sandcastles, and the shallow first metres make paddling easy. If you want the drama of cliffs and boat-access coves instead, save a day for blue lagoon comino or the quieter mellieha bay back on Malta.
Allow time to look up at the bay as well as lie on it. Tal-Mixta Cave offers panoramic views of the bay. A simple plan is a morning swim and laze on the sand, lunch from the café, then a late‑afternoon walk or drive up for the viewpoint when the light warms the hillside. If you are squeezing the island into a single day, swim here first, then loop inland for the citadel in Victoria and the temples, or finish with a harbour evening back in valletta.
Common questions
Is Ramla Bay sandy?
Yes. Unlike many rocky beaches in Malta, this is a sandy beach and the sand is red-golden.
Is there parking and is it paid?
Parking near the beach is available and it is free. Arrive early in peak season for the easiest spot.
Is it good for children?
Yes. It is suitable for families thanks to shallow water near the shore and calm conditions.
Are there facilities on the beach?
Yes. Public restrooms are available, a small café serves snacks, drinks and ice cream, and sunbed and umbrella rental is available.
When should I go to avoid crowds?
Early morning or late afternoon avoids the busiest times.
Last checked: 1 October 2026. Prices, opening hours and timetables change, verify anything time-sensitive before you travel. Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0.
