Ramla Bay

Ramla Bay (Ir-Ramla l-Ħamra, the red sandy beach) sits on the north coast of Gozo, between the villages of Xaghra and Nadur. Visit Malta calls it Gozo's largest sandy bay, and the colour is what most people remember: a deep, reddish-gold sand backed by countryside and steep terraced hillsides, with no hotels or tourist developments behind the beach. Calypso's Cave sits on the hillside above.

Swimming is generally easy here. The water is clear, and there are some smooth underwater boulders a few metres out in the central strip that are simple to swim around. On windy days, surf rolls in from the north, which children enjoy but which also means you should watch the beach flags and stay within your depth. Look out for the white statue of the Virgin Mary on the sand, the remains of a Roman building buried near the cafes, and an 18th-century fougasse, a rock-cut mortar the Knights built to defend the bay. Visit Malta lists lifeguard services here. Check the beach notices for current seasonal cover.

What to know before you go

• Seasonal lifeguard provision is documented; check current duty notices before swimming. Cover is not guaranteed outside the season or duty hours.
• Listed by Nature Trust Malta as a Blue Flag beach; the 2026 award could not be verified.
• Lifeguards in the summer season, plus snack bars, toilets, equipment hire and parking.
• The easiest approach is by road from Nadur or Xaghra through the valley.
• Natural setting with little built shade: bring or hire an umbrella.

Ramla is a natural stop on a Gozo day that takes in the Ggantija Temples in Xaghra and the Cittadella in Victoria. For a smaller, wilder red-sand cove, San Blas Bay is just along the coast to the east. Plan the crossing with our Gozo ferry guide and the wider Gozo travel guide.