St Paul’s Bay Malta Travel Guide

I highly recommend Malta in June, in terms of weather, prices, and convenience. I also recommend San Pawl il-Baħar (Maltese for Saint Paul’s Bay).

Why Choose St Paul’s Bay for Your Malta Vacation

The first reason is the convenience of having so many things near.

The restaurants, the bars, the seafront promenade, and the Malta National Aquarium are only a few of the reasons to choose this area for your holiday.

St Paul’s Bay is close to many points of interest in Malta such as Ghadira Bay, Valetta, Mdina, the Dingli Cliffs, Popeye’s Village, Paradise Bay, and Ghajn Tuffieha, the beach to fall in love at first sight.

Distances from St Paul’s Bay

• Distance to Valletta: Approximately 14km / 9 miles
• Distance to Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal: Approximately 25km / 15 miles
• Distance to Mdina: Approximately 20km / 12 miles

St Paul’s Bay offers easy access to key locations. Valletta, Malta’s capital, is just a 15 minute drive.

The ferry terminal at Cirkewwa to Gozo is 25 minutes away.If you go to Gozo, make sure you return around the sunset to experience one of the most beautiful sunsets in Malta.

As far as I remember, buses take almost one hour to get from St. Paul’s Bay to Cirkewwa.

Mdina, the silent city, is around 20 minutes drive. Read more details in my article about Mdina.

St. Paul’s Bay Beach

Bugibba Perched Beach is the main sand stripe in St. Paul’s Bay. It is far from what you’d consider a normal sandy beach.

This beach in St. Paul’s Bay is an artificial sand stripe sitting on top of Malta’s rocky shores. It is convenient, though, because it has sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, a water sports, snorkeling and diving center, and several neat dining options.

I highly recommend Nine Lives, a beach bar and restaurant where you can have a tasty brunch and drinks.

The sea is deep, very clean, and bustling with fish. Bring your snorkel! You’ll put it to good use.

Here’s where I spotted my first pink jellyfish. Pink jellyfish are very beautiful, but it’s best to stay away from them, as they can sting.

Things To Do in and Near St Paul’s Bay

Some of the top things to do in St Paul’s Bay include:

• Swimming and sunbathing at Buġibba Beach
• Diving – There are several dive sites and centers offering courses
• Boat trips and cruises – From Buġibba seafront
• St Paul’s Islands – Take a boat trip to the small islands
• Malta National Aquarium – Located on Qawra seafront
• Sea Adventure Park – Watersports and amusement park in Buġibba

The area also serves as a good base for day trips to places like Valletta, Mdina, and Gozo.

Where To Eat in St Paul’s Bay

Buggiba Square is the place to be if you want to eat, drink, dance and have fun.

Fat Harry’s Pub is perfect for dancing, drinking beer and hanging around with friends.

Venus Restaurant offers excellent sea food and a welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to come back. During my week with friends in St Paul’s Bay, we had dinner at Venus three times, that’s how much we loved the food and the service!

Miracles Lounge is a lively night club where you can taste colorful cocktails and dance late into the night.

Where To Stay in St Paul’s Bay

Bugibba and Qawra are the two main areas or districts that belong to the Saint Paul’s Bay area.

Both are very nice and not too far from each other.

The seafront promenade stretches along several km. This makes it perfect for long early morning or evening walks or jogs.

Best Hotels in Bugibba

Double Tree by Hilton Malta

I stayed at DoubleTree by Hilton for one week by the time it was called The Dolmen and loved every minute of it.

The swimming pools, the beach bar, the private beach and the sea swimming area are perfect for a relaxing vacation.

Keep in mind, though, that there’s no sand on the so-called private beach. It is just a big slab of concrete organized with umbrellas, sun lounges and staircases to get into the sea.

If you do miss your sandy beach, just use the public Buġibba Beach which is right next to the hotel.

Click here to check the latest rates and to book your room at DoubleTree by Hilton.

Seaview Hotel Malta

The Seaview Hotel is another great choice in St Paul’s Bay. Located near Buggiba Perched Beach, this hotel boasts two swimming pools, a sun terrace, and a rooftop bar.

This is an adult-only hotel. If you travel with children, you may want to check out the AX Odycy hotel below.

Click here to check out the current room rates and to book your stay.

Best Hotels in Qawra

AX Odycy Hotel

Located in Qawra, at 30 minutes’ drive from Valetta, AX Odycy is an excellent summer resort with modern amenities, daily entertainment and special areas for children.

It is a great choice for couples and families alike. Click here to see photos and availability.

A Few Facts About St Paul’s Bay

St Paul’s Bay gets its name from the shipwreck of St Paul in 60 AD. According to tradition, St Paul was shipwrecked on the islands while en route to Rome to face trial.

Some key facts about St Paul’s Bay:

• Population: Over 11,000
• Main beach: Buġibba Beach
• Nearby areas: Qawra, Buġibba, Xemxija

The town has a lively seaside promenade lined with hotels, restaurants, and bars.There’s fun and good entertainment without the noisy crowds you’d find in Paceville or St. Julian’s.

The main swimming areas are Buġibba Beach and Qawra Beach. It’s a popular area with tourists and locals alike.

Buggiba Perched Beach – an artificial stripe of sand on the rocky shore – convenient, close to many restaurants and hotels, yet small

Sunbathing on the rocks at St Paul’s Bay