About St. Georges Bay
St George's Bay is the sandy beach at the foot of Paceville in St Julian's, framed by hotels, the Bay Street complex and Dragonara Point. It is a largely man-made beach: until 2004 there was only a thin strip of sand here, and a replenishment project that year turned it into a proper beach, which was extended again in 2015. It was the first beach in Malta to win a Blue Flag, in 2005, and it was still on the Blue Flag list in 2025.
People come because it is the only real sandy beach in the St Julian's and Sliema area, and many of them can walk to it from their hotel. The water is usually calm and shallow near the shore, and you are never more than a minute or two from a café or a cold drink. Expect a young, social crowd in high summer, with Paceville's nightlife right behind the sand.
What St George's Bay is like
The beach sits at the head of a small inlet. Paceville lies between Spinola Point and Dragonara Point, which mark the edges of Spinola Bay and St George's Bay, so the Dragonara headland closes off one side of the bay. The sand was imported, so it is coarser and darker than the natural sand at beaches such as Golden Bay, and the beach is part sand, part pebbles. The sea shelves gently, which is a big part of its appeal.
It is a small beach for the number of people who use it. Large hotels and apartment blocks overlook the bay, and the eastern side has its own rocky shoreline and hotel lidos. The beach is managed by the Malta Tourism Authority, and the Westin Dragonara Resort's private beach on the point also held a Blue Flag in 2025. Do not confuse this St George's Bay with the bay of the same name in Birżebbuġa, in the south.
When to go to St George's Bay
St George's Bay is sheltered from most wind directions, which is why it often stays swimmable when exposed rocky spots along the Sliema front are rough. The main exception is an easterly wind, which blows straight into the mouth of the bay; on those days it is best avoided. North-easterly and south-easterly winds can also make the water choppy. Malta's most common summer wind is the north-westerly, and that usually leaves the bay calm.
Crowds matter more here than at most beaches. In July and August the sand fills up quickly, and one 2026 guide suggests arriving before about 9:30am on summer weekends to get a good spot. Weekday mornings are the quietest time. Lifeguards are on duty during the main summer season, roughly June to September. In September and early October the sea is still warm and the beach is noticeably less busy, which many locals consider the best time to go.
Swimming and safety
The sandy, gradual entry makes this one of the easier places in the area to get into the sea, and the water near the shore is usually shallow and calm. It still gets deeper towards the middle of the bay, so keep children close and watch for pedalos and other hired equipment.
Water quality is monitored as part of the official bathing-water programme, and like other urban beaches it can be affected after heavy rain, so check the Environmental Health Directorate's notices if there has been a storm. Jellyfish are reported from time to time in Maltese waters, including here. Recent reviews also mention litter on busy days, and the db Group's large hotel and residential project on the former ITS site overlooking the bay has been under construction since late 2024, so some noise is likely. On a crowded beach, keep valuables out of sight or leave them at your hotel.
Things to do near St George's Bay
Dragonara Palace, on the point at the edge of the bay, was built around 1870 as a summer residence for the Scicluna family and became Malta's first casino in 1964. It still operates as the Dragonara Casino, and you can see the building from the beach. Behind Bay Street, the Augustinian chapel and convent of St Rita predate much of modern Paceville.
A short walk south brings you to Spinola Bay and the St Julian's waterfront, and you can continue along the promenade past Balluta Bay towards Sliema. To the north, the coast towards Pembroke is rockier and quieter, with reefs that suit snorkellers better than the sandy bay. Paceville's bars and clubs are a couple of minutes from the sand. The bay also hosts events: Beach Fest 2026 was held here.
Food and facilities
There is a bar, a café, public toilets, facilities for disabled visitors, equipment hire and shops within a kilometre. In practice there are kiosks and beach outlets on the sand, and dozens of restaurants, cafés and fast-food places in Paceville and around Bay Street, so you do not need to bring much.
Sunbeds and umbrellas can be hired on the beach in summer. Natural shade is scarce, so bring a hat and sun cream if you do not plan to hire an umbrella. Showers have been part of the beach's facilities since the 2004 project, but check they are working on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is St George's Bay sandy?
Yes. It's a small beach of imported granite sand, which is coarser than the natural sand at beaches like Golden Bay.
Is there parking at St George's Bay?
Not on the beach itself. Use the paid Bay Street or Eden car parks, about five minutes' walk away.
How do I get to St George's Bay by bus?
Route 14 from Valletta stops at Paceville by St George's Bay. Several other routes stop at San Ġiljan and Ross in St Julian's, a short walk away.
Is St George's Bay good for kids?
The water is calm and lifeguards are on duty in summer, but the beach is small and very busy, so mornings are best for families.
Is St George's Bay a natural beach?
Not really. It was a narrow strip of sand until a 2004 replenishment project brought in imported sand to make a full beach, which was extended again in 2015.
Is St George's Bay a Blue Flag beach?
Yes, it was on the 2025 Blue Flag list, and it was the first beach in Malta to receive the award, in 2005. Blue Flags are awarded one season at a time, so check the current list.
Is St George's Bay good for snorkelling?
The sandy, busy bay is better for a swim than for snorkelling. Snorkellers usually head for the rocky coast towards Pembroke, just to the north.
Are there sunbeds at St. Georges Bay?
Yes. InterContinental Beach Club, Cabana Club, FLO Skypool and 4 others rent sunbeds.
Is there somewhere to eat at St. Georges Bay?
Yes, on the beach: Andrew's, InterContinental Beach Club, Open Waters and 2 others.
Can you get to St. Georges Bay by boat?
Yes. Boat trips to St. Georges Bay run with Sun & Fun Water Sports.
