Genius: Picasso · The Wives
Golden Bay
In Maltese: Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa
Golden Bay, a sandy beach on Malta's northwest coast, was closed off as a film set in February 2018 for National Geographic's Genius: Picasso with Antonio Banderas, and features in Channel 5's 2024 thriller The Wives.
What was filmed at Golden Bay?
Genius: Picasso (2018) · Season 2
The beach was closed off and dressed as a film set for Antonio Banderas's Picasso. The exact scene hasn't been published. It played A Mediterranean beach in the South of France or Spain (not specified).
The Wives (2024) · Season 1
Golden Bay is featured among the Malta locations in the 2024 thriller. Specific scenes haven't been published. It played Itself (Malta).
Reported by guides; not yet confirmed on set records.
About Golden Bay
Golden Bay (Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa) is one of Malta's most popular sandy beaches. It's a west-facing sweep of golden sand between clay slopes and limestone headlands, famous for its sunsets. A hotel and beach clubs sit at the northern end, a bus terminus and car park at the top, and the Għajn Tuffieħa watchtower and Riviera Bay are a short walk south. In February 2018 the Malta Independent reported that the beach had been closed off and turned into a film set for Genius: Picasso, which used Malta for the South of France and Spain. In 2024 Malta coverage of Channel 5's The Wives highlighted Golden Bay among its locations. Neither production left anything permanent, so today it's simply a great beach.
Best time to go
Sunset, any time of year; avoid summer weekend afternoons when it's very busy.
Questions people ask
How do I get to Golden Bay from Valletta by bus?+
Route 44 runs from Valletta bus terminus to Għajn Tuffieħa, by Golden Bay. The ride takes about an hour depending on traffic.
Was Genius: Picasso filmed in Malta?+
Yes. The production spent nine days in Malta in February 2018. Golden Bay was closed off as a set, and Malta stood in for the South of France, Spain and Paris.
Sources
- Malta Independent — From beach to film set: Golden Bay closed off for Banderas series
- Variety — Malta makes push for more global production biz
- GuideMeMalta — 'The Wives', filmed and set in Malta
- Wikipedia — Golden Bay (Malta)
Exact spot not yet checked on site — we visit every location before launch.