St. Paul's Bay

Travel Guide

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

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

Leave your worries behind and enjoy over 3 miles (5 kilometers) 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 neighbor 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 vacation. 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 might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Salina National Park and Kennedy Grove.

Burmarrad

Mistra

While there might not be top attractions in Mistra, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Xemxija Bay and St Paul's Island.

Mistra
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Bidnija

Though Bidnija might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Xemxija Bay and Salina National Park.

Bidnija
Xemxija Bay Hotel
Xemxija Bay Hotel
3 out of 5
Ridott St, Xemxija Bay, St. Paul's Bay, Malta
$97 nightly
The price is $105 total per night from Aug 2 to Aug 3
$105 total
Aug 2 - Aug 3
Total includes taxes and 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! (23 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 Jun 28, 2025

Xemxija Bay Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Malta
DoubleTree by Hilton Malta
4 out of 5
Dolmen Street, Qawra, St. Paul's Bay, Malta
$211 nightly
The price is $226 total per night from Jul 8 to Jul 9
$226 total
Jul 8 - Jul 9
Total includes taxes and 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! (880 reviews)
"Great location. Staff were accommodating. View was great. Room was adequate.."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Malta
QAWRA Palace Resort & SPA
QAWRA Palace Resort & SPA
4 out of 5
Qawra Coast Road, Qawra, St. Paul's Bay, Malta
$132 nightly
The price is $143 total per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
$143 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in St. Paul's Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (288 reviews)
"The property was spread over many floors , the lift system was not easy to navigate as not all the lifts took you to all the places. Was surprised that we couldn't take food or drink out of the main restaurant considering we was all inclusive. Also the room was cleaned every day and had to ring done ..."

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

QAWRA Palace Resort & SPA
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! (69 reviews)
"I really like the price of this stay. The price is phenomenal for the things it offers. What i didn’t like was the restaurant in the 8th floor. We had some trouble with the food, and the manager (not the waiters) was a bit a aggressive when we told him the food we ordered wasn’t the right one. It ..."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 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 May 26, 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.

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