Best Sunsets in Malta

Watching the sunset in Malta is a magic experience. The best sunset viewing spots on the island allow you to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery during the golden hour and even beyond that, long into the blue hour.

Sunset cruises are the top choice of those who don’t have too much time to spend on the island or who don’t want to commute to remote places. If this is also your choice, check out the Maltese islands sunset cruises here.

Some of the best sunsets in Malta are in places you need some transport to get to.

Keep reading to see where to go for the most amazing sunset scenery in Malta or check out my article about Mdina to see why it is one of the best sunset spots on the island.

There are buses, Uber, and Bolt, so you don’t have to worry about transport, should you prefer to stay away from driving on such a small and busy island.

To find the best sunsets in Malta by yourself, grab the map of the island and check out beaches, cliffs and villages on the west coast. You can’t go wrong with the sun setting into the sea.

Monuments and citadels all over the island can make excellent silhouettes for creative sunset photos. All you need is free time and a camera. To add some culture in the mix, check out this article about Mdina tours and tickets, to find some exciting activities while waiting for the sun to set.

One of the best sunsets in Malta happens on board of the Gozo to Cirkewwa ferry. Don’t miss it when you go to visit the Ggantija Archaeological Park on Gozo.

If you prefer to go straight to verified sunset locations in Malta, check out my list, below.

Top Spots for the Best Sunset in Malta

Here’s a list of 9 vantage points for the best sunsets in Malta.

Ghajn Tuffieha is my top choice, but the others aren’t too shabby, either.

Let’s take them one by one to see how you can get there and what kind of sunset views you can enjoy in Malta.

1. Ghajn Tuffieha Bay

If you go to Ghajn Tuffieha to watch the sunset, you’ll irremediably fall in love with the place. I know I did.

Ghajn Tuffieha offers an incredible sunset viewing experience unlike anywhere else in Malta. Situated on the northwest coast, this secluded sandy bay provides sweeping sea views that stretch all the way to the horizon.

As the sun begins its descent, Ghajn Tuffieha is bathed in warm golden light that contrasts beautifully with the blue waters. From the beach, you have an uninterrupted vista over the Mediterranean, with the sunset colors reflecting off the calm surface of the sea.

The best vantage point for the sunset, though, is at Singita Miracle beach, the beach bar to the right of the stairs that take you from the main road to the bay.

The unique hillside geography also allows glimpses of the sunset sinking behind the countryside, with the ochre limestone cliffs glowing in the fading light. Free from large resorts, the tranquil and laid-back atmosphere lets you relax and fully soak in the sunset colors spreading across the sky and sea. Perched on the cliffs or spread out on the sand, Ghajn Tuffieha’s expansive setting makes it a top choice for witnessing Malta’s glorious sunsets.

2. Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta)

The Upper Barakka Gardens in Valetta is one of the most popular spots to view the sunset in Malta.

Perched on high ground overlooking the Grand Harbour, this historic garden provides panoramic views that get soaked in a beautiful golden light as dusk approaches.

The limestone bastions and the Valetta waterfront set a striking backdrop, especially when illuminated in soft sunset hues. As the sun disappears below the horizon, the lights begin to twinkle across the water. It’s hard for me to describe the beauty of these moments before the setting of the sun.

To reach the Upper Barrakka Gardens, take the Barrakka Lift from Valletta’s city center up to the top of the bastion walls.

If walking uphill is not an issue, you can climb the long stairway up from Castille Place.

The gardens date back to 1661, so you’ll be watching the sunset from a spot steeped in Maltese history.

Arrive early to secure a space on one of the garden benches facing the glimmering harbor. Give yourself at least 30 minutes to wander through the terraced gardens and find a perfect viewpoint.

As many other people will be there for the same sunset in Malta as you, consider arriving at least one hour before the big moment. The place is very beautiful and it offers plenty of photo opportunities to keep you busy for quite a while.

3. Gnejna Bay

Gnejna Bay is a gorgeous inlet known for its breathtaking sunsets and stunning natural scenery. This secluded beach boasts fine golden sand and crystal clear waters in shades of azure and turquoise, providing the perfect backdrop for one of the best sunset spots in Malta.

As the sun begins its descent over the Mediterranean Sea, the entire bay is flooded with a warm, golden glow.

The unique geography of Gnejna Bay allows you to watch the sunset both over the sea and behind the hillside village of Mgarr ix-Xini.

To the west, the sun sinks below the horizon, illuminating the undersides of the clouds with fiery hues of orange and pink. To the east, the ochre limestone cliffs of the bay glow with otherworldly colors as the fading sunlight illuminates every nook and cranny of this scenic landscape.

4. Golden Bay

Known for its sweeping views and glittering golden sands, Golden Bay on Malta’s northwest coastline offers one of the most beautiful settings for watching the sunset in Malta.

As the sun begins its descent over the Mediterranean Sea, Golden Bay comes alive with the golden hour glow.

One of thing that makes Golden Bay the ideal location for some of the best sunsets in Malta is its varied natural landscape. You’ll find palm trees, salt pans, and windmills to use as subjects or dark silhouettes in your sunset photos, on a backdrop of vibrant hues of pink and orange.

5. Dingli Cliffs

A Segway tour to Dingli Cliffs like this one, is probably the best way to visit this part of the island and to experience one of the most beautiful Maltese sunsets.

You don’t need previous Segway riding experience, because the tour includes 15 minutes of training and practice. I was an absolute beginner and I managed to master my Segway in about 5 minutes.

I was afraid to hold my GoPro up to film for the first 30 minutes of the ride. After that, I wished the Dingli Cliffs sunset ride never ended.

Located just a short drive from the capital city of Valletta, the Dingli cliffs rise over 250 meters above sea level, making them the highest point on Malta. A walk along the cliffs provides spectacular sunset panoramic vistas of the sea and small, uninhabited islets just offshore.

If you want to get to Dingli Cliffs by bus, you need to remember that the bus stop nearby is called Maddalena. Bus line 201 from Rabat has departures every 30 minutes. Route 56 from Valetta has hourly departures. Find out more details on the official website of the public transport company of Malta.

6. Popeye Village

Like all places on the northwest coat of the island, Popeye Village can offer you the experience of one of the best sunsets in Malta.

Originally built as the set for the 1980 musical film Popeye starring Robin Williams, this cluster of rustic wooden buildings has been preserved to capture the atmosphere of the fictional village of Sweethaven. Wandering through Popeye Village at sunset allows you to soak in the golden hour glow across this iconic film backdrop.

I haven’t visited it, as I consider it best for families with kids, but I’m sure that’s a fantastic place to watch the sunset.

7. Fort Rinella

Fort Rinella is another great sunset spot to visit in Malta, as well as a very interesting tourist objective. History buffs will love the well-preserved 100 top gun and the museum of artifacts related to the British presence in Malta.

As of September 2023, Fort Rinella is only open on Saturdays, so make sure you plan your visit accordingly.

8. Mdina

Mdina, the walled citadel, is a must-see, whether you’re a history buff or a lazy beach bum.

During the day, the tall walls and the narrow streets help keeping you cool. During the golden hour, just before the sunset, the pale yellow stone walls, the lamp posts, and the trees cast their shadows on the stone alleyways, creating a magic setting to make you feel like an ancient knight coming home after a long journey.

If you want to find out how to visit this lovely citadel, check out my article about Mdina, the Silent City.

9. The Blue Grotto (Wied iz-Zurrieq)

Located on the western shores of the main island, the Blue Grotto is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Malta.

People come to the Blue Grotto to enjoy the scenic views, to take a boat trip or to dive.

Bus line 201 conveniently connects Valetta to the Blue Grotto. The bus stop is right near the panorama point. This is where the hop-on hop-off buses also stop.

Whatever your choice, keep in mind that you can only have as many sunsets as days spent in Malta.

During summer, you’ll have the opportunity to cram more activities into a day’s time.

When days are shorter, you’ll have to plan your sunsets in Malta before dinner.

Related articles:

• Is Mdina, Malta’s Silent City Worth Visiting?

• Marsaskala: Malta’s Off the Beaten Path East Coast Harbor

• Best Blue Lagoon Malta Boat Trips

• Ghajn Tuffieha Bay: Malta’s Riviera & Best Sunset Spot
• Top Reasons To See Marsaxlokk, Malta’s Fishing Village
• Best Things To Do in Malta