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.