GHAJ TUFFIEHA BAY
Photo Essay
Malta, Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
After a storm, on a windy day we took a day trip to the famous Golden Beach. Even though it is not far from La Valetta, the bus route takes a bit longer than you would expect. Only one to blame is the public transportation on Malta, which is not one of the most organised. For that reason, once you go there, plan it for a whole afternoon and don’t stay just by the Golden Bay, lined with hotels, tourist cafés and too many people. Instead walk to the nearby Għajn Tuffieħa Bay.
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay is less accessible (a long stairway down, but nothing dramatic) and bit smaller than its famous neighbour Golden Beach, but it offers much nicer views and whole nature around. Secluded and protected by clay slopes and high cliffs. Lined with the gold tinted sand. Lie there. Eat. Drink. Swim. And take a hike to the top. Its an easy hike, a bit windy sometimes, like that day, but well worth that little bit of effort.
How to get there ?
Għajn Tuffieħa is one of the few beaches that’s easy to reach by public transport, with a bus route passing by on its way to Golden Bay. The actual bus stop is called Riviera.
From Valletta: Take route 42 or 250 to St. Paul’s Bay, then hop on route 223 or 225 (Trip duration: 1h 15m)
From Sliema and St. Julian’s: Direct route 225 takes you there in a little over one hour.
From Buġibba, Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay: Direct routes 223 and 225 both pass through the main street of St. Paul’s Bay (from where it’s a 20-minute ride). If you’re staying in Qawra or Buġibba take a quick 5-minute bus trip from the Buġibba terminus to St. Paul’s Bay on route 48, for example (although other routes pass from the same stretch).
Taidekappeli is located on the island of Hirvensalo, far outside the city. Surrounded by spruces and pines, where the wooded hills rise from the flat fields.