Potentially the best beach of the Maltese islands, Ramla l-Ħamra, meaning red beach, is a wide stretch of splendid sand dunes of reddish hue, thus its name. The site is largely unspoilt by man, having just a few snack bars at the edge of the beach, while in the middle a statue dedicated to Our Lady of Hope, stands vigil. Set on a curving bay surrounded by rocky cliffs and a fertile valley, it is a wonderful place to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. Besides being a beautiful beach, Ramla l-Ħamra is also surrounded by myth and history. It is said that buried beneath the red-ochred sands lies Roman remains of a villa which was richly decorated with marble and stucco and boasted its own hot bath.
