Għajn Tuffieħa

Għajn Tuffieħa
Riviera
Several hundred steps leading to a sandy beach
The 187 steps leading to the beach.
Map of the Maltese archipelago with a red dot on the coast of Mġarr, Malta showing the location of Għajn Tuffieħa.
Map of the Maltese archipelago with a red dot on the coast of Mġarr, Malta showing the location of Għajn Tuffieħa.
Għajn Tuffieħa
Location of the bay in Malta
LocationMġarr, Malta
GroupMediterranean Sea
Coordinates35°55′45″N 14°20′36″E / 35.92917°N 14.34333°E / 35.92917; 14.34333
TypeBay
Basin countriesMalta
Max. length290 metres (950 ft)
Max. width205 metres (673 ft)
Surface area5.43 hectares (64,900 yd2)
Average depth6.9 metres (23 ft)
Max. depth16.4 metres (54 ft)
Water volume410,000 cubic metres (14,000,000 ft3)
Surface elevation0 metres (0 ft)

Għajn Tuffieħa (lit. 'Spring of Apples'), commonly called Riviera and frequently mistranslated as Apple's Eye in English, is a bay and sandy, red beach which is located in Mġarr, Malta. The bay is 345 metres (377 yd) south of Golden Bay. It is less busy than Golden Bay and often visited by Maltese natives as well as tourists.[1] To reach this beach, one needs to descend a hill on a staircase of 200 steps.[2][3] On top of the cliffs west of Għajn Tuffieħa bay is the Għajn Tuffieħa Tower,[4][5] one of the seven towers built by Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris, of the Knights Hospitaller.[6]

Overlooking the bay is the former Riviera Martinique Hotel, which closed in 1988.[7][8] The unofficial name Riviera derives from the hotel.

In Għajn Tuffieħa is a café, Singita Miracle Beach, located at the foot of the access staircase. In June 2024 there was some controversy over the café placing large towels on parts of the beach.[9]

The stairs to the bay
  • The Għajn Tuffieħa Tower.
    The Għajn Tuffieħa Tower.
  • Panoramic view.
    Panoramic view.
  • The bay with the tower on the headland.
    The bay with the tower on the headland.
  • Beach after sunset
    Beach after sunset

References

  1. ^ "Ghajn Tuffieha Bay Malta | Everything You Need To Know". Malta Info Guide. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
  2. ^ "Organisation Information". Visit Malta. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
  3. ^ "Discover Għajn Tuffieħa (Riviera) The Ultimate Guide". Holidays in Malta. 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
  4. ^ "Day 5 in Malta - Ghajn Tuffieha bay". Aliz's Wonderland. 2017-09-03. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
  5. ^ "Għajn Tuffieħa Bay | Malta Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
  6. ^ "Mellieha.com - Places of Interest - Fortifications". 2015-03-20. Archived from the original on 20 March 2015. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  7. ^ Abela, Benjamin. "Remember this? Old ad shows abandoned Riviera Hotel in its hey-day". www.guidememalta.com. Content House. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  8. ^ Cordina, John Paul (23 February 2024). "PA refuses to sanction illegal roof within Riviera Martinique complex". Beacon Media Group. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Greed or service? Beach bar's large towels take up space at Għajn Tuffieħa Bay". Times of Malta. 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2024-11-26.

Coordinates: 35°55′56″N 14°20′50″E / 35.93222°N 14.34722°E / 35.93222; 14.34722

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C4%A7ajn_Tuffie%C4%A7a