St. Paul's Bay

Travel Guide

St. Paul\'s Bay featuring a bay or harbour and a coastal town
St. Paul\'s Bay which includes a coastal town and rocky coastline
St. Paul's Bay
St. Paul\'s Bay featuring rugged coastline
St. Paul\'s Bay showing a bay or harbour

Many years after a revered saint was believed shipwrecked here, St. Paul’s Bay has become one of Malta’s favourite holiday spots. 

Leave your worries behind and enjoy over 3 miles (5 kilometres) of coastline at St. Paul’s, a collection of seaside towns in northern Malta. This lovely bay and its townships form the hub of affordable Maltese tourism, with resorts for a wide budget range. Wealthy Maltese were once the only summer visitors on these shores. Now others can appreciate the area.

St. Paul’s Bay has always had a special allure, as legend says that St. Paul himself was shipwrecked here, marking the beginning of Christianity in Malta. Aside from its historical and Biblical significance, the real attractions are the beautiful seascape and panoramic vistas. Populations in these little towns increase by tens of thousands during the summer.

The village of St. Paul’s hasn’t been completely transformed by tourism and still has a Maltese character, which you can see in places like the Church of St. Paul’s Shipwreck. Local townspeople light a bonfire here every February to commemorate the fateful shipwreck. Enjoy the sweeping view from the Wignacourt Tower, built in 1609, which has a small military museum. The Knights of St. John set up towers like this all along the Maltese coastline as reminders of the vulnerability near these rocky islands in past centuries.

Three small harbors along the curve of the coast have the gorgeous azure Mediterranean Sea lapping at their shores. The village of St. Paul’s is practically merged with its bustling neighbour Bugibba. Around the curve of the shoreline is the more serene Qawra. See the wonders of the sea at the new and stylish Malta National Aquarium in Qawra. The Malta Classic Car Collection provides something special for car-lovers. At the northern end of the bay lies mysterious, uninhabited St. Paul’s Island.

St. Paul’s Bay is a great destination for families and anyone seeking a laid-back resort holiday. Although you’ll never be far in distance from the rest of busy Malta, here you can enjoy the views and the sea in a quiet location.

Where to stay in St. Paul's Bay

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Burmarrad

While Burmarrad isn't home to many top sights, Kennedy Grove and Salina National Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Burmarrad

Mistra

When in Mistra, you can plan a visit to Xemxija Bay and St Paul's Island, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Mistra
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Bidnija

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Bidnija and surrounding area, you can visit Xemxija Bay and Bugibba Square.

Bidnija
Xemxija Bay Hotel
Xemxija Bay Hotel
3 out of 5
Ridott St, Xemxija Bay, St. Paul's Bay, Malta
The price is S$136 per night from 2 Jul to 3 Jul
S$136
2 Jul - 3 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in St. Paul's Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Bugibba Beach and The Malta ...
8/10 Very Good! (22 reviews)
"The location is great with the bus stops, view, convenient store, and quick food options like eeetwell! The staff was kind & hotel was also fine. The room I had was okay, no view, but everything functioned. I didn't check out the pool or their meal options, but basic English breakfast was offered ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jun, 2025

Xemxija Bay Hotel
AX ODYCY Hotel
AX ODYCY Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Qawra Coast Road, St. Paul's Bay, Malta
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in St. Paul's Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (254 reviews)
"It was a beautiful all-inclusive! We loved our experience. Only downfalls are pools are busy, bartenders are sometimes lazy, and the all-inclusive doesn't include EVERYTHING. There are quite a few restrictions."

Reviewed on 23 Jun, 2025

AX ODYCY Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Malta
DoubleTree by Hilton Malta
4 out of 5
Dolmen Street, Qawra, St. Paul's Bay, Malta
The price is S$300 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
S$300
3 Jul - 4 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in St. Paul's Bay. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (879 reviews)
"Great location. Staff were accommodating. View was great. Room was adequate.."

Reviewed on 23 Jun, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Malta
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
StiLLel Retreat
StiLLel Retreat
3.5 out of 5
Triq Il-Korp Tal-Pijunieri, St. Paul's Bay
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in St. Paul's Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Bugibba Beach and The ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (66 reviews)
"Loved it, nice people good location."

Reviewed on 25 Jun, 2025

StiLLel Retreat
Triton
Triton
3 out of 5
Triq It-Tartarun, Qawra, St. Paul's Bay
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in St. Paul's Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, balconies, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions The Malta Classic Car Collection and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (62 reviews)
"The staff was amazing and very accommodating. The room was clean but the bathroom toilet did not flush properly and the shower pressure was a little low. The room was clean but was not thorough. It was not a bad stay however it can be improved"

Reviewed on 26 May, 2025

Triton
Horizon Suites by the Sea
Horizon Suites by the Sea
3.5 out of 5
9 Triq Sant Antnin, St. Paul's Bay
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in St. Paul's Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Bugibba Beach ...
Horizon Suites by the Sea
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of St. Paul's Bay

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Top destination
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The view of the bay! A great place to take walks from in all directions, the heritage trail worth a look, the walk to Golden Bay easy to follow & around the headland to Mehelia Bay. Try the fruit & veg man in the lay-by.