Xagħra sits on a plateau with bays on three sides, so you can choose a different swim almost every day without spending long in the car. These are the places we send our guests first.
The classic sandy beachRamla l-Ħamra
The name means “red sand”, and the rust-orange beach below the village is Gozo’s best known. It is wide and shallow at the edges, with dunes and fields behind it — lovely for a long morning. Stop first at the lookout beside Calypso’s Cave for the view down over the bay.
Swimming with a café nearbyMarsalforn
Just down the hill from Xagħra, Marsalforn is a seaside village with a small sandy beach, a long promenade and plenty of places to eat. Locals swim off the rocks and ladders along the coast road on either side of the bay. It is the easiest choice for an evening dip followed by dinner by the water.
Small and quiet, near NadurSan Blas
On the north-east coast near Nadur, San Blas is a small red-sand cove at the bottom of a steep, green valley. It is beautiful and rarely busy, but the walk back up is a climb, so take water.
A fishermen’s bayDaħlet Qorrot
Nearby Daħlet Qorrot is a small fishermen’s bay with boathouses cut into the rock and clear water for swimming off the rocks. Calm, local and quiet outside the summer weekends.
Further afield: the south-west coastXlendi
A narrow bay between high cliffs, with restaurants along the water and swimming off the rocks. Stay for the sunset, when the cliffs glow.
Further afield: the north coastWied il-Għasri
A dramatic gorge cutting into the cliffs, ending in a tiny pebble cove. A wonderful swim on calm days; avoid it when the sea is rough.
Further afield: facing CominoĦondoq ir-Rummien
A small bay with very clear water looking across to Comino, popular for snorkelling.
After a day at the sea, there is nothing quite like the roof terrace at sunset. See also three places to start near Xagħra.
Photo credits
- Ramla l-Ħamra — Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Marsalforn — Photo: Kritzolina, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- San Blas — Photo: Wolljuergen, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons
- Daħlet Qorrot — Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
- Xlendi — Photo: Wittylama, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Wied il-Għasri — Photo: The Cosmonaut, CC BY-SA 2.5 CA, via Wikimedia Commons
- Ħondoq ir-Rummien — Photo: Continentaleurope, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
