Wuestenwinds beach — Attraction in Valletta

OK let's be honest - this isn't really a beach at all by most definitions - more of a rocky outcrop. Having said that I think this is a fantastic spot on Valletta and very unique. It's like a whole other world removed from the tourist trail and a great place to chill for a while. Sitting just below the Siege Bell War Memorial, it's a collection of small whitewashed fisherman's huts and offers good views across to Fort Ricasoli and Villa Bighi. There's a short coastal track you can follow from the far end that will take you to the Boom Defence, National War Museum and Austin Camilleri (the poetry carved into the rock face). On the right hand side you'll see various warships painted on...

This is an unexpected but intriguing find for us. However, I am not sure I would describe this as a beach.

It feels like one is walking through an enclave of local makeshift residential huts very close to the seafront (that seem to have residents actually living in some of these these huts!). These all add to the intrigue of walking through the partially obscured side rocky pathways along the seafront.

There are sections where you can sit and relax or walk on the flat rock faces -- it feels like you are very close to the edge and directly facing the waves. Perhaps this "danger element" is what attracts pundits to this...

Gorgeous non-beach: access is sliding over rocks into blissfully warm water. Sunning yourself on the rocks a la seals is the go. A small but frantically busy café tries to keep up with patrons’ coffee and food orders.

Lots seem to be locals who use or own the ex-boat houses dotted along the top. Families use them on the weekend and occasionally sleep there. They are crying out to be off-grid tiny homes with water tanks and solar power instead of dodgy mains water and looping...