What it is like
A steep-sided inlet on the southwest coast, with a quay, a short promenade and the cliffs squeezing the view at the mouth. The bay itself is good. The valley behind it has been built up hard over the last few decades, and some of what went up is plain at best, so the honest description is a fine piece of coast with an indifferent village attached. Xlendi has no parish of its own and belongs to the Munxar council on the hill above.
What is actually here
A small beach of sand and pebble at the head of the inlet, shallow where it meets the water, and rock on both sides where it gets deep quickly. There are caves and underwater tunnels along the coast. Caroline’s Cave is reached by stairs cut into the cliff from the promenade. Restaurants line the waterfront, several of them serving fish landed locally, which is true of only three places on Gozo.
Diving and the walks
Several dive centres are based here, partly because Xlendi Cave and Reef is an easy first site: a shallow tunnel through the headland at 6 to 10 metres. The cliff walk out towards Sanap and Ta’ Ċenċ starts above the bay, and a trail runs down into Xlendi from the Sanap cliffs, which makes a one way walk possible if someone will collect you.
Getting there
Buses connect the bay to Victoria and the ride is short. Driving down is simple; parking on the quay is limited and gone early on a summer day, and the road back up is narrow in places.
When to come
The bay faces southwest, so it stays swimmable in a northerly when the north coast is unusable, and it takes the sunset. The village feast and the Gostra fall on the first Sunday of September, which is also when the sea is at its warmest.
Staying near Xlendi
Prices and availability come from the booking sites, not from us, and we have not stayed in any of these. How this site is paid for.
Questions about Xlendi
Is Xlendi a sandy beach?
Only just. There is a small patch of sand and pebble at the head of the inlet, shallow enough for small children, and most swimmers use the rocks on either side where the water is deeper. In high summer the sand is taken by mid morning.
What is Caroline's Cave?
A cave on the side of the inlet, reached by stairs cut along the cliff face. It is a short walk from the promenade, but the path is exposed in places and not worth attempting in a swell.
Can you walk from Xlendi to Ta’ Ċenċ?
Yes. The cliff walk out towards Sanap and Ta’ Ċenċ starts above the bay, and a separate trail drops from the Sanap cliffs back down into Xlendi. There is no shade on either and the ground is loose in places, so take water and proper shoes.
Is Xlendi overdeveloped?
In parts, yes. Apartment blocks run up both sides of the valley and some of them are plain and badly placed. The waterfront itself still works: restaurants along the quay, dive centres behind them, and the cliffs closing the view at the mouth.