Imgarr · MT

Clay Cliffs

Clay Cliffs is the name locals and visitors give to the rippling, rust-and-slate slopes of Blue Clay that tumble down to Għajn Tuffieħa Bay on Malta's northwest coast, in the municipality of Mġarr. Far from a manicured attraction, it is a raw, ever-shifting stretch of soft-rock coastline where mineral-rich clay, ochre greensand and pale limestone boulders meet the Mediterranean in bands of almost unreal colour. With no gates, no fees and an open horizon facing due west, it is one of the most photogenic and quietly dramatic places on the island. What makes it special is geology you can see and feel. A thick layer of impermeable Blue Clay sits here beneath hard Upper Coralline Limestone; rainwater trapped between the layers feeds hidden springs, while wind and water carve the exposed slopes into smooth curves, rills and gullies that rearrange themselves after every winter storm. The result is a coastline that looks painted, glows at sunset and is slowly, visibly changing under your feet.