How to Visit Ghajn Tuffieha Bay in Malta
Ghajn Tuffieha Bay offers scenic coastal views, a red sand beach, and clean waters, making this place perfect for photographers, beach lovers, and hiking enthusiasts. Although you can spend a full day relaxing on Riviera Beach and exploring the nearby hiking trails, we recommend you plan your visit at sunset, when you can enjoy the spectacular panoramic views from the bay.
This ultimate guide to Ghajn Tuffieha includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect during your visit, and practical information.
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Where is Ghajn Tuffieha Bay?
Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is located on the northwestern coast of the island of Malta, between Golden Bay and Gnejna Bay, approximately a 30-minute drive from Sliema and a 40-minute drive from Valletta.
How to Get to Ghajn Tuffieha Bay
Many people hike from the popular Golden Bay. But the most convenient way to get there is to rent a car and explore the nearby attractions at your own pace. There is a large public parking lot where you can park for free. However, during peak season, the parking lot fills up quickly.
For the best experience, book this top-rated Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays catamaran tour through Viator or GetYourGuide.
By Bus
Another great way to get there is by public transport. Below, you will find the most popular bus routes to the Riviera bus stop (Ghajn Tuffieha).
- Sliema: Route 225
- Valletta: Route 44
- Bugibba: Route 223
- Cirkewwa (Ferry Terminal) or Mellieha: Route 101
The bus ticket costs 2.50 EUR in summer, 2 EUR in winter, and the night fare is 3 EUR. You can purchase your ticket from the bus driver. Tickets are valid for two hours, including transfers.
Save money and buy a Tallinja Card. The Explore Card costs 25 EUR for adults and 7 EUR for children (4-10 years old). It is valid for 7 days from the first validation and gives you unlimited travel.
TIP
You can buy your Tallinja Card at the airport’s ticket machines.
The Hop-On Hop-Off bus also stops at Golden Bay.
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Ghajn Tuffieha Bay & Riviera Beach
Ghajn Tuffieha (Riviera Beach) is a long sandy beach with clear water, ideal for families and those looking for a relaxing day at the beach. The shallow water makes it perfect for swimming, especially for small children.
There is a café in the parking lot where you can enjoy the view of the bay. From the parking lot, you can walk down about 200 steps to the beach, which takes about 5-10 minutes. Although the climb back up is a bit of a challenge, it is definitely worth it.
If you plan to stay there all day, we recommend renting a sun umbrella or bringing your own, as there is no shade. The rental fee is 20 EUR for 2 sun loungers and an umbrella.
Singita Restaurant is the only restaurant on the beach, serving Mediterranean, vegetarian, and seafood dishes with a view of the beach. Most of the time, the restaurant fills up quickly, but there is a digital waiting list so you can avoid the queue.
What to Do at Ghajn Tuffieha Bay
It is a perfect place for sunbathing, watching the sunset, and water activities. Due to its scenic beauty, the area is also popular with hikers and photographers.
You can also take surfing lessons on the beach, where instructors will patiently teach you everything and help you catch your first waves.
Hiking to the Viewpoint
There is a beautiful viewpoint between Ghajn Tuffieha Bay and Qarraba Bay that you can easily hike to. The weather was very windy and cool during our visit, so it wasn’t suitable for swimming. So we decided to hike to the viewpoint and have lunch at a nearby restaurant.
It took us only 20 minutes to reach the viewpoint from the parking lot, and we thought it was worth the effort as we could see both bays and take some great pictures.
Where to Stay in Malta
Malta has many small towns to stay in, but most people stay in Sliema, Valletta, or Mellieha as a first visit.
- The Sliema area is one of the best choices if you are looking for affordable accommodation in Malta.
- Valletta is one of the most atmospheric places to stay. From here, you can easily reach Sliema by ferry or visit the Three Cities by Maltese gondola.
- Mellieha Bay is one of the largest sandy beaches and a favorite spot for families, couples, and water sports lovers.
But if you want to dive into where to stay in Malta, read our post.
Best hotels in Sliema
- Luxury: AX The Palace
- Mid-Range: Verdi Gzira or Mr Todd Hotel
- Budget: Follow the Sun Hostel
Best Time to Visit Malta
Malta is an all-year-round destination with beautiful beaches, historic sites, charming towns, and stunning natural attractions. But the best time to visit is from May to September. We explored Malta’s attractions in mid-May and had fantastic weather on the island.
Malta has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
TIP
In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!
We hope you found our guide to Ghajn Tuffieha Bay useful and will inspire you to visit Malta. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.
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