Gozo is not a sandy island. Most of its coast is cliffs and rock, and some of its most famous swimming spots mean climbing down onto a limestone ledge and jumping in. That’s wonderful for a ten-year-old. With a two-year-old, it matters a great deal which beach you drive to.
We spent five days on Gozo in May 2018 with Damian (5) and Marc (2). These are the best Gozo beaches for kids. We’ve marked clearly which ones we went to and which ones we didn’t.
Gozo beaches for kids, in short
- Best for toddlers: Ramla Bay, the biggest sandy beach on the island. We went.
- Best on foot from town: Marsalforn.
- 2026 Blue Flag beaches on Gozo: Ramla il-Ħamra, Marsalforn and Ħondoq ir-Rummien.
- For older kids who swim well: Xlendi and the Inland Sea at Dwejra, both rock rather than sand.
- When: in May the sea was too cold for our boys to do more than paddle. Swimming season is late June to early October.
Short on time? Our top 3 family stays in Malta & Gozo
Ta Leli Holiday Home – Xagħra, a private 3-bedroom villa with its own pool, 2.7 km from Ramla Bay.
Grand Hotel Excelsior – Floriana, a waterfront resort with pools, walking distance to Valletta.
Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz – San Lawrenz, Gozo’s big five-star resort, a short drive from Dwejra.
| Beach | Sand or rock | Best age | 2026 Blue Flag | Did we go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramla Bay | Sand (red) | All ages | ✅ | Yes |
| Marsalforn | Sand | All ages | ✅ | Passed through |
| Ħondoq ir-Rummien | Small sandy patch + rocks | 4+ | ✅ | No |
| Xlendi | Rock, small sandy strip | Confident swimmers | — | Yes, twice |
| Dwejra / Inland Sea | Pebbles and rock | Older kids | — | Yes, three times |
| San Blas | Sand, steep access | Older kids | — | No |
| Wied il-Għasri | Rock, steps | Teens | — | Looked only |
1. Ramla Bay: the best beach in Gozo for kids
If you only have time for one beach on Gozo with small children, make it Ramla il-Ħamra: “the red bay”. It’s the largest sandy beach on the island, and the sand really is a deep orange-red, which our boys found hilarious. It holds a Blue Flag in 2026.
It was 2.7 km from our villa in Xagħra, so it was the easy option for us.
Good to know: there’s little natural shade, so bring an umbrella or arrive early. In summer the sunbeds and kiosks open along the back of the beach.
2. Marsalforn: the town beach
Marsalforn’s small sandy beach sits right in the town, with the promenade, cafés and ice cream behind it. It holds a 2026 Blue Flag. It isn’t the most beautiful beach on Gozo, but it’s the easiest: no drive, no steps, lunch fifty metres away. It’s the best reason to stay in Marsalforn with kids.
3. Ħondoq ir-Rummien: the calm-water option (we didn’t go)
A small bay near Qala on the east coast, looking across to Comino, with a small sandy area, rocks either side and clear, calm water. It holds a 2026 Blue Flag. It’s often recommended to families for how clear and calm the water is. We didn’t make it there, so this is the one on the list we can’t vouch for personally.
4. Xlendi: for looking at, and for older kids
We went to Xlendi twice. The first time we stayed two hours when we’d planned ten minutes, and the second time we came back just for breakfast. It’s a narrow inlet between high cliffs, with a fishing village at the end and water in every shade of turquoise.
For swimming, though, it’s mostly rock. There’s a tiny strip of sand, and most people swim off the platforms along the side of the bay. In May the water was too cold for ours anyway. In summer it’s great for confident swimmers. With a toddler, go for the view and a meal, and swim somewhere else.
5. Dwejra and the Inland Sea
Dwejra is where the Azure Window stood until 8 March 2017, and we went three times: two sunsets and one morning coffee. Next to it is the Inland Sea, a lagoon connected to the open sea through a tunnel in the cliff, with small boats that run through it when the weather allows.
It’s pebbles and rock, busy with scuba divers, and there are no railings near the edges. It’s fascinating for children, but it isn’t a beach for building sandcastles. Hold small hands on the rocks.
6. San Blas: beautiful, but hard work (we didn’t go)
A small, red-sand cove on the north-east coast, often called the prettiest on Gozo. The catch with small children is the access: a very steep road down from where you park, and the same climb back up with everything you brought. Great for older kids who can walk it. With a buggy and a two-year-old, we’d skip it.
7. Wied il-Għasri: not for toddlers
A narrow creek between high cliffs on the north coast, with very clear water at the end. We found it while the boys were asleep in the car, so we only looked. It’s reached down steps cut into the rock, has no facilities, and is deep and enclosed. Beautiful for teenagers and adults, not for little ones.
Tips for Gozo beaches with kids
- Water shoes. Even the sandy beaches have rocky edges, and most swimming spots are rock.
- Shade. Very few Gozo beaches have trees. Bring your own umbrella or rent one early.
- Go in the morning. Parking at Ramla and Marsalforn fills in summer.
- Check the flags. Blue Flag beaches have lifeguards in season. Many rocky spots have none.
- The Blue Lagoon on Comino is a short boat ride away and needs a free booking since 1 May 2025. See Blue Lagoon Comino with kids.
More Malta and Gozo
- Malta and Gozo with kids: our family guide
- Gozo with kids: 7 best things to do
- Where to stay in Gozo with kids
- 5 days in Gozo with kids: our itinerary
Gozo beaches: your questions answered
What is the best beach in Gozo for kids?
Ramla Bay. It is the largest sandy beach on Gozo, with distinctive red-orange sand, and it holds a Blue Flag in 2026. Marsalforn is the easiest alternative because the town, cafés and ice cream are right behind the sand.
Does Gozo have sandy beaches?
A few. Most of Gozo’s coast is rock and cliff. The main sandy beaches are Ramla Bay, Marsalforn and San Blas, with a small sandy area at Ħondoq ir-Rummien. Bring water shoes, because even the sandy beaches have rocky edges.
Which Gozo beaches have a Blue Flag in 2026?
Three: Ramla il-Ħamra Bay, Marsalforn Bay and Ħondoq ir-Rummien Bay. Malta and Gozo have 11 Blue Flag beaches in total in 2026.
Is Xlendi Bay good for swimming with kids?
For older children who swim confidently, yes. Swimming is mainly off rock platforms along the side of the bay, with only a tiny sandy strip. With toddlers, visit for the view and a meal and swim at Ramla or Marsalforn instead.
Is the sea warm enough to swim in Gozo in May?
Not really for young children. We visited in May and the days were warm, but the sea was cold enough that our boys only paddled. For comfortable swimming, go from late June to early October.
Last checked: September 2026. We visited in May 2018. The Blue Flag list is for 2026 and is renewed each year. Beaches we didn’t visit are described from public sources and marked as such.
