Ramla Beach

The beautiful and pristine Ramla beach is situated on the north coast of the island of Gozo. Its full name is Ramla il-Ħamra, which is Maltese for “Red Sands” - this refers to the rich fiery golden hue of the beach which contrasts beautifully with the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean.

The wide, gently curving Ramla Bay is bookmarked by rocky headlands while the back of the beach gradually slopes up into dunes dotted with bamboo and tamarisk. This is a place for those looking to discover Malta’s natural beauty and imagine how the islands were before mass tourism arrived.

Despite its remote feel and unspoilt appearance Ramla is still a very popular summer beach. It is only a 25 minute hop to Gozo by ferry from the main island and a quick bus ride. There are also good facilities here including a few small cafes making it a family-friendly spot.

Besides taking in the scenery, going for a dip in the clear shallow waters and soaking up the sun, there are couple of points of interest for the more restless beachgoer. Most obviously is the large white plinth supporting a statue of the Virgin Mary, in the middle of the beach. This dates back to 1881 and was placed here as a memorial to a shipwreck in the bay.

Also worth finding is Calypso’s Cave, which according to legend is referred to by Homer in The Odyssey. It is said this is the cave where Ulysses spent seven years with the nymph Calypso before resuming his journey. It is located in the cliffs on the western end of the beach and is actually part of a series of caves.