Paceville’s local beach
Written by Andrew Galea Debono
St George's Bay: even better by night when it's ideal for chill out time.
St George’s Bay, on the edge of Paceville/St Julian’s is a reasonable sweep of seafront promenade with a small sandy beach. It’s a recent addition to the circuit of beaches in Malta; the sand having been brought in from abroad. The other notably man-made beach is at Bugibba. Both beaches, both near urban areas, have Blue Flag status; an eco-award whose criteria address water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management and safety and other services.
St George’s is quite a pleasant place and picturesque in its way. Some boats moored just off shore give it a feeling of quaintness, despite the beach’s proximity to one of Malta’s busiest, most urban areas – renowned more for nightlife, entertainment, and shopping than beach bumming.
It’s ideal for a dip and relax if you’re staying in the many hotels in the area and don’t have transport or can’t be bothered to bus it somewhere further afield. It’s easily reachable on foot for those living in Paceville or St. Julian’s.
Pros: It’s convenient, as it’s right in the heart of Malta’s most lively area. There are showers, toilets and plenty of restaurants and other eateries in the area. There is also a shopping complex and cinemas only minutes away on foot. It is ideal for those who are in the area who feel like lazing on the sand after a day of activities without having to catch any transport.
Cons: Well, it’s in an urban area (though immediately behind the seafront is a private walled garden, so it’s not totally overlooked by soaring tower blocks). It’s close to a the bay road. It’s not exactly the getaway to a natural area as the sandy beaches in the north are. Can be very crowded, and popular with ‘youth’ and kids/families. Language school students tend to hang out here after lessons, so expect it to be busy.
Verdict: Good for a quick dip and relax daytime, or a nice evening, sundown chill out. Ideal if you’re based locally/have young kids/short of time or don’t have transport/or want some fresh air and space for chill out time at night, away from the hub of things in Paceville.
How to get there:
Buses: until Arriva takes over the bus system, the old bus routes are 62, 64, 66, 67, 68, 662, 667 and 671 all pass very frequently through St. Julian’s from 5.30 till 11.00pm. See Arriva for new timetables and bus numbers from 3 July, 2011.
For a list and location map of ALL Malta’s sandy beaches, click here
View Malta Sandy Beach Guide in a larger map
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