Ramla Bay, Xagħra

Red-gold sand sets Gozo's largest sandy beach apart. You can swim off it in summer, then climb the track above it for a view over the whole bay.

Beach, Xagħra. Meridian Dispatch.

Best time

May to OctoberPeak heat July, August

Effort

Climb to Tal-MixtaFar end of the beach

Season

Visit year-roundWalks outside summer

Access

Car, bus or taxiRoad via Xagħra or Nadur

Red sand

Is Ramla Bay sand really red?

Yes, in a reddish-golden shade. The beach takes its Maltese name from it: Ramla l-Ħamra means Red Sandy Beach, and that is the name used locally on Gozo.

Entry

Is Ramla Bay beach free?

Hotel visitor guides list it as free to enter at any hour, all year, with free parking near the sand. Another guide says the parking fills quickly in summer.

Calypso's Cave

Is Calypso Cave open to visitors?

Plan on it being closed. Malta's public broadcaster reported in 2019 that it had been shut for years because the rock was crumbling, and recent visitor guides still describe it as closed. They say the viewing platform above it stays open, and Tal-Mixta Cave gives another view of the bay.

Best months

When is the best time to visit Ramla Bay?

For swimming, come between May and October, with the warmest water from June to September. Autumn, winter and spring suit a walk, in Gozo's mild off-season climate.

From Mġarr

How do you get to Ramla Bay from Mġarr?

The drive from Mġarr Harbour takes about 15 to 20 minutes, following road signs toward Xagħra or Nadur. Public buses also connect Mġarr with the beach, and taxis and ride-hailing services are an alternative. Visitors from Malta reach Mġarr on the Gozo Channel Ferry from Ċirkewwa.

Swimming

Is the water at Ramla Bay safe to swim in?

One beach guide mentions lifeguards in summer, with soft sand and shallow water that suit families. Another calls summer mornings typically calm. Do not count on a lifeguard outside summer.

What makes it special

Ramla Bay lies on the north coast of Gozo, between Marsalforn Bay to the west and San Blas Bay to the east. The sand contrasts sharply with the turquoise sea, and the water is clear.

Behind the sand are the dunes, a rare and ecologically important habitat, and the bay is classified as a Natura 2000 protected site.

Xagħra stands on one of the hills overlooking the valley behind the bay. From the high ground, the terraced walls built by local farmers form a patchwork across the slopes.

Two caves sit above the bay, and they are easy to confuse. Tal-Mixta Cave overlooks the sand. Calypso's Cave sits on the rim of the bay, within Xagħra's limits.

Visiting

One visitor guide lists toilets and sunbeds at the beach. A few cafes and a small stall stand back from the sand, and in the main season kiosks close to the shoreline sell snacks and beach essentials.

The sand gets busy at weekends and in the peak summer holidays, especially around midday.

For the view, walk up to Tal-Mixta Cave from the far end of the beach, or approach it from the roads above the cliffs.

Separate paths above the bay lead to the platform over Calypso's Cave. Access there varies with site conditions and restrictions, so keep Tal-Mixta as your fallback. In the hotter months, leave these walks until later in the afternoon, and stay for sunset if you can.

Tips

Pack water, snacks and sunscreen if you plan to spend several hours here, even when the kiosks are trading. Outside the main season, bring everything with you.

The sand gets very hot by midday, so wear water shoes to cross it. Bring a hat as well.

Know before you goAs of November 2026, one beach guide warns that the north-facing bay can catch wind-driven swells in winter. Another says jellyfish are more common in late spring and summer, especially when the wind blows from the north.