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Little Armier, Malta
While the swimming on Malta’s southern coast tends to be from rocky coves, the northern coast has some of its sandiest beaches. This small beach is located on the northernmost tip, offering views across to the neighbouring islands of Comino and Gozo. Unless you drive, you’ll need to take a bus and then walk for 15 minutes to reach it, passing by its larger, busier sibling, Armier Bay. Little Armier is more secluded, though it has a canoe and kayak outfit at one end during summer, and Tortuga restaurant above it for lunch. Further along the coast is the Coral Lagoon, a naturally formed pool in the rocks popular with kayaks which turns into a blowhole when the sea is rough, sending sudden plumes of water to drench anyone standing nearby.
How to get there: Google Maps location
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Mellieha Bay, Malta
While many people choose to stay in Valletta or St Julian’s, many of the best beaches lie further up the island. One of the most popular is the one at Mellieha Bay, otherwise known as Ghadira Bay, Malta’s longest stretch of sand, which curls in a horseshoe shape for 800 metres. It’s easily accessible by road, making it one of the best options for families, and has all the facilities you need for a day at the seaside, from sunloungers and parasols to kayaking and other watersports, along with a few restaurant and kiosk options on the road behind, as well as the Blu beach club for cocktails. The sand slopes gently into the sea, staying shallow for a few metres, making it good for young children. You could combine this with a boat ride to the little island of Comino, which departs a short walk away, or explore the village of Mellieha itself, with its churches (you can hear the bells ring the hour on the beach), restaurants and World War II remains. Just behind the beach is Ghadira Nature Reserve, a rare stretch of salt marsh and lake where migrating birds such as Eurasian spoonbills and greater flamingos make pit stops.