The steps saved the beach
The long descent to the sand is what kept hotels off it.
Frank Vincentz — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Brian Harrington Spier from Shanghai, China — CC BY-SA 2.0 · hettitaya — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Frank Vincentz — CC BY-SA 3.0
A watchtower of 1637 on the headland separating Golden Bay from Għajn Tuffieħa Bay, one of the Lascaris towers built by Grand Master Jean de Lascaris. Its position is the whole argument. The tower stands on the highest point in the area, and from it both bays are visible together with the coast running away in each direction. That is precisely why it was built here: one point watching a long stretch of coast that was exposed to landings. Għajn Tuffieħa Bay below it is among Malta's finest and least developed beaches, because reaching it requires descending a long flight of steps, which has kept hotels off the sand. The view from the tower down over it is close to the most photographed scene on the island. Practical points: the tower is free to see from outside, reached by a short uphill walk from the Golden Bay car park. The interior may open on limited volunteer-run hours — do not count on it. The path is unshaded and the rock edges are unsecured. Sunset here is by a wide margin the best time.
The long descent to the sand is what kept hotels off it.
The outlook from the tower over the bay is close to Malta's most repeated image.
Another series in the coastal system, later than Wignacourt's.
Above Għajn Tuffieħa Bay, north-west Malta
If you have the time and the fitness, yes — Għajn Tuffieħa is among Malta's finest bays and its sand is red. But the descent is a long flight of steps and the climb back is hard in heat. Take water, and do not plan the descent for the middle of a summer day.
Neighbouring Golden Bay is far easier to reach — a car park and a direct path to the sand — and so it carries a hotel, facilities and crowds. Għajn Tuffieħa is just behind the headland and needs the steps, so it stays quieter and cleaner. The tower sits between the two and looks over both.
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