Għajn Tuffieħa

Għajn Tuffieħa forms part of the Manikata village in Malta which is part of Mellieħa.

Close to Għajn Tuffieħa three bays are located with popular beaches among tourists. The beach are separated by natural rock formations and therefore each have their own characteristics.

Golden Bay (Maltese: Il-Mixquqa) is one of the few sand beaches on the north west coast of Malta. It was previously known as Military Bay. The white beach slopes gently allowing swimmers to easily walk into the sea. In summer months, there are lifeguards on duty. Golden Bay is the most popular tourist beach of the Manikata region. Several beach clubs and a large hotel are located on the beach. The Ghajn Tuffieha International Scout Campsite is also located nearby offering an all-year-round camping experience for everyone. A bus terminus and car park are located at Golden Bay.

Għajn Tuffieħa Bay is a red beach a short distance south of Golden Bay. It is quieter than Golden Bay and often visited by the Maltese themselves, as well as tourist visitors. In order to reach this beach one needs to descend a hill on a staircase of 200 steps. On top of the cliffs west of Għajn Tuffieħa bay there is an old defense tower built in 1637. It is one of the seven towers built by Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris, of the Knights Hospitaller.

Għajn Tuffieħa has a cafe, Riviera Martinique, at the foot of the access staircase.

To the south of Għajn Tuffieħa Bay is the first part of Ġnejna Bay. This beach can only be reached by first going through Għajn Tuffieħa Bay, then climbing up a hill and finally making a descend along some rather steep paths between the rocks. The beach and especially the small stone promontory of this part of Ġnejna Bay is used as a clothing optional beach as well as a long-time gay-friendly area. This part of the bay is hidden from the main part of Ġnejna Bay. Further south, the main part of Ġnejna Bay is easily reached by road via Mgarr. It offers a mixture of rocks, sand and pebbles. Boathouses are carved into the rocks on the south side of Ġnejna Bay. Watersports are prominent recreation in Ġnejna Bay, but its earlier history as a fisherman's bay has not entirely vanished.

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Wikipedia