9 Best Beaches and Swimming Spots Near Gzira and Sliema

Malta’s central coast doesn’t do long golden sands — it does something better: deep, clear, blue-flag-quality water off flat rocks, minutes from your front door. Here are the nine best swimming spots within easy reach of Gzira, from the local institutions to the one proper sandy bay, current for summer 2026.

In short: the closest and best regular swims to Gzira are Exiles, Fond Għadir and Qui-si-Sana along the Sliema coast — all rocky entries with ladders, all a walk away. For sand, head to St George’s Bay in St Julian’s. The sea is warmest from late August through September, at around 26°C.

1. Exiles, Sliema

The local favourite. A rocky point with ladders, a kiosk, and a crowd that ranges from teenagers backflipping off the rocks to octogenarians doing their daily lengths. Arrive before ten for a quiet swim; arrive at six in the evening for the golden-hour show.

2. Fond Għadir and the Roman Baths, Sliema

Flat rock shelves and Victorian-era bathing pools cut straight into the stone — shallow, sun-warmed rectangles that children and cautious swimmers love, with deep open water a few metres beyond. One of the most characterful swims on the island.

3. Qui-si-Sana, Sliema

At the Tigné end of the front, with gardens behind you and Valletta’s bastions across the water. Clear, deep and slightly less busy than Exiles — the connoisseur’s morning swim, with the capital as a backdrop.

4. The Tigné seafront

The rocks around Tigné Point offer some of the clearest water in the area and the best straight-line view of Valletta you can have while floating. Bring reef shoes; the entry is honest limestone.

5. Balluta Bay, St Julian’s

A small, pretty bay beneath the Carmelite church, with a modest sandy patch that appears and disappears with the seasons. Good for a gentler entry, and the surrounding square makes the post-swim coffee dangerously convenient.

6. St George’s Bay, St Julian’s

The nearest genuinely sandy beach — shallow, sheltered and busy in high season. It’s the family-and-first-timers option, a short bus ride up the coast, with every facility within throwing distance.

7. The Manoel Island foreshore, Gzira

Gzira’s own backyard swim, long used by locals off the rocks around the island’s edge. Access arrangements are evolving as the national park project takes shape, so check locally — but the prospect of a protected, public foreshore here is one of the best things to happen to Gzira in decades.

8. The Pembroke coast

North of St Julian’s, a wilder stretch of rocky coastline with natural pools and far fewer people. Worth the short trip when you want the sea without the soundtrack.

9. Għadira Bay, Mellieħa — the sandy day out

Malta’s biggest sandy beach, shallow for a hundred metres out, at the island’s northern tip. It’s a proper outing rather than a local swim — pair it with our 12 day trips from Gzira and make a day of it.

Know before you go

Rocky entries reward swim shoes and a dry bag. Jellyfish come and go with the currents — locals check conditions before committing. And the season is longer than you think: the sea holds its warmth well into October, which is precisely when Gzira is at its best — warm, uncrowded and golden.

Frequently asked questions

Are there beaches near Gzira and Sliema?

Yes — mostly rocky swimming spots rather than sand. Exiles, Fond Għadir and Qui-si-Sana on the Sliema coast are all within a 20–30 minute walk of Gzira, with clear deep water and ladder access. The nearest sandy beach is St George's Bay in St Julian's.

Is it safe to swim in Sliema and Gzira?

Generally yes in calm weather — these are popular, well-used swimming spots with ladders and flat rock areas. Always check conditions before swimming: avoid rough seas and jellyfish days, and note that rocky entry points suit confident swimmers better than paddlers.

When is the sea warm enough to swim in Malta?

The sea is comfortably warm from June to October, peaking around 26°C in late August and September. Many residents swim well into November, and hardy year-round swimmers are a fixture of the Sliema front even in January.

Every one of these swims starts from the same place: a quiet apartment in Gzira with your towel drying on the balcony. Morrison Court is five serviced apartments designed for one or two guests, minutes from the front. Book your stay at morrisoncourt.com.