About Mistra Bay
Mistra Bay, Il-Bajja tal-Mistra in Maltese, is a small pebble bay at the inner end of St Paul's Bay, below Mistra Hill between Xemxija and Mellieħa. Cliffs and terraced slopes surround it, Selmun Palace stands on the ridge to the north, and an 18th-century battery of the Knights guards the east side. Apart from a restaurant, some caravans and boats, the shore is undeveloped.
It is one of the most sheltered swimming spots on Malta's north coast, so it is a good choice on days when the north-westerly is churning up the west-facing beaches. The water is calm and fairly shallow, the entry is gentle, and it rarely gets crowded. In winter it is a starting point for walks towards Selmun.
What Mistra Bay is like
The beach is a short strip of rounded pebbles at the head of an inlet a few hundred metres across. The pebbles run into the water, and the seabed beyond is rock, more pebbles and patches of seagrass. The bay is no deeper than about 7 metres even in the middle, and the swimmable area near the shore is a lot shallower.
A narrow, rough road winds down from Mistra Hill to the shore. Fish farms sit about 600 metres offshore, and small boats moor in the bay in summer. The setting is green and quiet compared with the resort towns on the other side of St Paul's Bay.
When to go to Mistra Bay
The inlet opens to the east, into St Paul's Bay, so it is sheltered from westerly, north-westerly, northerly and southerly winds. An easterly wind blows straight in and makes it rough, and a north-easterly can make it choppy. In July and August it is calm on almost every day.
Summer weekends bring families, campervans and boat users, so arrive early if you want a spot near the water. Weekdays are quiet. Outside the swimming season the bay is popular with walkers, and the water stays swimmable into October on calm days.
Swimming and safety at Mistra Bay
You can walk in off the pebbles, and the slope is gentle, which suits children and beginners on calm days. The pebbles are hard on bare feet, so water shoes help. Don't count on a lifeguard here.
The main thing to watch is boats. Small craft come in to moor and leave throughout the day in summer, so stay close to shore and inside any marked swimming area. Snorkelling is pleasant rather than spectacular: bream and wrasse feed over the pebbles near the shore, and shoals of damselfish gather over the seagrass in the middle of the bay.
Things to do near Mistra Bay
Mistra Battery, on the east side of the bay, was completed in 1761 under Grand Master Pinto and is considered the best preserved of the Knights' coastal batteries in Malta. It has been restored after years of use as a store, though it is not usually open to wander through, so treat it as something to see from outside.
Paths lead from the bay up towards Selmun and over to Imġiebaħ Bay, a sandy cove on the far side of the headland. They are best in winter and spring, when the slopes are green. Daħlet il-Fekruna Bay, a small rocky inlet, is a few hundred metres away along the shore towards Xemxija.
Food and facilities at Mistra Bay
There is a restaurant on the shore, which is seasonal and closes in the colder months. There are no public toilets, showers or sunbed hire, and little shade, so bring water, an umbrella and anything else you need. Xemxija, at the bottom of the hill, has shops, cafés and bus stops.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mistra Bay sandy?
No. It is a pebble beach with an easy, gently sloping entry.
How do I get to Mistra Bay by bus?
Take a route 41, 42, 49, 221, 222 or 250 bus to the Mistra stop and walk down the road to the bay.
Is Mistra Bay good for kids?
On calm days, yes. The water is sheltered and fairly shallow, but watch for boat traffic.
Is Mistra Bay sheltered from the wind?
Yes, from most directions. It is calm in westerly, north-westerly and northerly winds, but easterly winds make it rough and north-easterlies can make it choppy.
Is Mistra Bay good for snorkelling?
It is decent for an easy snorkel, with seagrass, bream, wrasse and damselfish in water up to about 5 to 7 metres deep, but there are better reefs elsewhere.
What is the fort above Mistra Bay?
It is Mistra Battery, a coastal battery completed by the Knights of St John in 1761 and one of the best preserved in Malta.
Is there somewhere to eat at Mistra Bay?
Yes, on the beach: Margo's.
