About Xgħajra Beach
Xgħajra is a small seaside village on Malta's east coast, between the Three Cities and Marsaskala, right next to the SmartCity business park. The whole village faces the sea along a long promenade, and below it a strip of low, flat rock runs into clear, open water. There is no sand: you swim off the rocks, using ladders at several points along the front.
It is a local swim, popular with families from the south of Malta and much quieter than the big beaches. You come here for a dip, a stroll along the promenade and a meal at one of the village cafés or restaurants, rather than a full beach day.
What Xgħajra is like
The shore is a band of flat limestone platforms below the promenade, good for spreading a towel, with ladders and natural steps down into the sea at several spots. The rock is sharp in places, so water shoes help. The water deepens quickly off the edge of the rocks, with a rocky seabed that is good for snorkelling close to shore.
The promenade runs the length of the village and on towards SmartCity, with playgrounds and benches along the way. Near the village stands the Della Grazie Battery, a British gun battery built from 1888 to 1893 on the site of a 1620 watchtower. It is used by the local scouts and the council and is not open as a museum.
When to go to Xgħajra
Xgħajra faces north-east. It is calm in southerly, south-westerly, westerly and north-westerly winds, so it is a good choice on a typical summer day with the prevailing north-westerly. Avoid it in northerly, north-easterly or easterly winds, which push waves straight onto the rocks, and expect it to be choppy in a south-easterly.
Summer weekends bring local families, but it rarely feels crowded. Weekday mornings are the quietest, and evenings are pleasant for a walk along the promenade once the heat has gone out of the rock.
Swimming and safety at Xgħajra
Use the ladders to get in and out rather than jumping, as the water is deep off the edge in places and the rock below is uneven. There are no lifeguards, so this suits confident swimmers and older children who are used to swimming off rocks, not toddlers.
In onshore winds, even modest waves make the ladders hard to use, so stay out when the sea is breaking on the rocks. The rock near the waterline is slippery with algae, so take care on the steps.
Things to do near Xgħajra
A coastal walk leads south-east from the village towards Żonqor Point and Marsaskala, past Second World War pillboxes and the open ground of Il-Park Nazzjonali tal-Inwadar. Choose between the rocky shoreline and flatter paths further inland. Rinella Bay, the nearest sandy beach, is about 2 km to the west in Kalkara, with Fort Rinella just above it.
The village has a handful of cafés and restaurants close to the promenade, but there are no sunbeds or umbrellas, so bring your own shade.
Frequently asked questions
Is Xgħajra beach sandy?
No. It's a rocky shore with ladders into the water along the promenade.
How do I get to Xgħajra by bus?
Route 94 runs to Xgħajra from the Valletta area, and route 120 connects it with Pembroke.
Can you swim at Xgħajra?
Yes. Locals swim and snorkel off the rocks, using the ladders to get in and out.
Is Xgħajra good for children?
It suits older children who are confident swimming off rocks. There is no sand and no lifeguard, and the water is deep in places, but the promenade has playgrounds.
Which wind is best for swimming at Xgħajra?
Southerly, south-westerly, westerly or north-westerly winds, which leave the north-east-facing shore calm. Avoid it in northerly, north-easterly or easterly winds.
Is there a walk from Xgħajra?
Yes. A coastal path runs south-east towards Żonqor Point and Marsaskala, past wartime pillboxes and the Inwadar national park.
