St Paul's Bay holidays

How to reach Saint Paul’s Bay

Flight time: Flights to Malta International Airport from London take around 3 hours 10 minutes.

Transfer time: Malta International Airport is a 30-minute taxi or 1-hour bus ride from Saint Paul’s Bay.

Price:

• Prepaid taxis (pay at the taxi booths in arrivals and give the chit to your driver) cost €28 before admin fees.

• Bus tickets cost €2.50–€3 and are valid for 2 hours after first use.

Best time to visit Saint Paul’s Bay

The best time for your Saint Paul’s Bay holidays depends on what you want to do and the weather in which you want to do it.

• March to May sees temperatures climb from 17 to 25°C, petering rainfall, and 7 to 10 hours of daily sunshine. These are lovely months for sightseeing and coastal strolls, but you’ll likely want to hold off on swimming much before May.

• June to August tends to be hot and dry. With temperatures soaring into the high 20s and low 30s and up to 12 hours of daily sunshine, the local beaches will be irresistible.

• September to November sees temperatures dip to 28–21°C, still warm enough for the beach and swimming but less sticky and quieter for sightseeing. The only fly in the ointment is increased rainfall, especially towards November.

• December to February is mild and wet, with temperatures hovering around 16°C and average rainfall ranging from 90 to 83mm. The feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck in February is a seasonal highlight.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: English and Maltese are both official languages.

• Currency: Malta is in the eurozone.

• Getting around:

  • Buses and taxis are the most convenient way to get around. The daytime fare for a bus ticket is €2.50 and €3 for night services, but a 7-Day Explore card (unlimited transport for 7 days) may work out cheaper at €25.

  • The base fare for metered taxis is €3.50, then €2.50 for the first 1km, €1.60 over 1km to 5km, €1.40 over 5km to 10km and so on.

  • Ride-hailing services like Bolt or eCabs use dynamic pricing, so fares depend on when, where and how much demand.

  • Renting a car will give you more flexibility, but due to parking is probably more trouble than it’s worth.

• Electricity and plug types: Malta operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz and uses type G plugs (the same three-pin plugs as the UK).

• Time zone: Malta is on Central European Time (1 hour ahead of GMT during standard time and 2 hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time).

Best things to do in Saint Paul’s Bay

From charming coastal views to historic landmarks and nature reserves, there’s plenty to see and do on Saint Paul’s Bay holidays.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Wignacourt Tower: Originally built for coastal defence, this early 17th-century bastioned watch tower provides a unique spot to take in the landscape.

• The Rock: A little ways up from Buġibba Perched Beach, this is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

The best districts

• Buġibba: Chock-full of restaurants, cafés and bars, Bugibba is the go-to spot for dining and nightlife. Walk along the promenade to take in views of the bay or settle into one of the many seaside cafés for a meal with a view.

• Qawra: Qawra has an array of dining and entertainment options, but it’s a bit quieter than Buġibba.

Parks and gardens

• Salina Nature Reserve: Home to herons, various types of gulls and the odd flamingo, this saline wetland is very popular with birders, but there’s more to see here than just birdlife, from a monument to JFK to Knights Hospitaller salt pans.

Museums

• The Malta Classic Car Collection: Decked out with 1940s, 1950s and 1960s memorabilia, you don’t need to be a petrolhead to enjoy a trip to this vintage automobile museum.

• Salina Salt Museum: Located on the Salina Nature Reserve, this niche museum celebrates Malta’s salt production and harvesting heritage.

Historical monuments

• St Paul’s Shipwreck Church: Set on the water’s edge, allegedly where St Paul came ashore after being shipwrecked en route to his trial in Rome, this simple church is an important part of local religious life.

• Buġibba Temple: Located in the grounds of the DoubleTree by Hilton Malta, it would be easy to dismiss this megalithic structure as staged, but despite its somewhat incongruous setting, the remains here are the real deal, dating to the Tarxien period of Maltese prehistory.

Day trips in the area

• St Paul’s Islands: Believed to be where St Paul’s ship ran aground and home to a statue of the man himself, it's worth boating across, even if you are not religious, just for the scenery.

• Mellieħa: Just a short bus ride away, Mellieħa offers sandy beaches like Għadira Bay, a quirky Popeye-themed amusement park and charming historic sights such as the Sanctuary of Our Lady. Mellieħa is also the starting point for trips to Gozo, Malta’s sister island.

Activities for families in Saint Paul’s Bay

Saint Paul’s Bay is a fantastic destination for families, with plenty of child-friendly activities, be it a day out at the aquarium or slipping and sliding at a waterpark.

• Playgrounds: Nautical-themed Pjazza San Pawl Playground, next to the Malta National Aquarium, is a great option for younger kids.

• Aquariums and zoos: Home to sharks, rays, jellyfish and much more, kids will love exploring at the Malta National Aquarium.

• Waterparks: Ideal for hot summer days, Buġibba Waterpark is great for younger kids, with water loops, a bucket tower and water cannons. If you have older children and want a bigger splash, Splash and Fun Water Park is the better bet, with water slides, wave pools and lazy rivers.

Free things to do in Saint Paul’s Bay

From heritage sites to swimming and sunning, you can easily pad out your days without reaching for your wallet.

• Free festivals and events: Celebrated with fireworks, parades and street parties, religious festivals are a big deal in Malta. Two to look forward to are the feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck in February and Our Lady of Sorrows in July.

• Explore Saint Paul’s Bay on foot: Roman roads, standing stones, ancient apiaries, burial sites (including a Punic tomb) and granaries, the Xemxija Heritage Walk is a hit list of must-see heritage sites.

• Public beaches: Buġibba Perched Beach is the main beach in the area, but there are plenty of places along the rocky coastline to lay out your towel and swim. Temper your expectations, though; in Malta, “beach” is used loosely.

Nature and outdoor activities

• Snorkelling and scuba diving: The crystal-clear waters around Saint Paul's Bay are perfect for snorkelling and diving. Popular dive spots include the nearby wreck of the Imperial Eagle, which is teeming with marine life.

• Hiking: The Majjistral Nature and History Park is within a 20-minute drive. Offering rural and military heritage areas, natural caves, and coastal cliffs, this is a great spot for hikes. Trails are well-marked and suitable for all fitness levels, making it a great way to explore Malta’s natural beauty.

• Jet skiing: The perfect way to explore Malta’s scenic coastline, Water World Malta in Qawra offers equipment rentals and jet ski safaris.

Beaches to enjoy on Saint Paul’s Bay holidays

Saint Paul’s Bay holidays are perfect for beach lovers, offering access to a variety of stunning coastal spots. From rocky shores ideal for snorkelling to sandy stretches perfect for families, the beaches in and around Saint Paul’s Bay cater to all types of travellers.

• Bugibba Perched Beach: Located within Saint Paul’s Bay, this small, man-made beach offers soft sand and calm waters, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. With its central location, it’s perfect for those staying in town and wanting easy access to the sea.

• Qawra Point: Just a short walk from Saint Paul’s Bay, Qawra Point offers a rocky coastline with clear waters, perfect for snorkelling and diving. The area is quieter than the main beaches, providing a peaceful spot to relax.

• Mellieha Bay: A short drive away, Mellieha Bay is Malta’s largest sandy beach. It’s perfect for families, with shallow waters, plenty of space for sunbathing, and water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking.

• Golden Bay: Known for its soft sands and turquoise waters, Golden Bay is one of Malta’s most famous beaches. It’s a great option for those looking for a more traditional beach day, complete with sun loungers and beachside cafes.

• Paradise Bay: This small, picturesque beach is a little further from Saint Paul’s Bay but worth the trip for its stunning scenery and crystal-clear waters. It’s a top choice for snorkelling and a quieter beach experience.

Whether you’re relaxing on Bugibba Perched Beach or exploring the nearby bays, Saint Paul’s Bay holidays offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy Malta’s gorgeous coastline. From family-friendly shores to hidden coves, there’s a perfect beach for everyone.

Local dishes in Saint Paul’s Bay

Holidays to Saint Paul’s Bay offer a delightful mix of Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine, from street food classics to sweet Arab-influenced desserts.

Some typical dishes

• Fenek moqli: Served with fries or baked potatoes, this fried rabbit dish is one of Malta’s most beloved recipes.

• Ħobż biż-żejt: Sourdough bread spread with tomato paste, drizzled with olive oil and loaded with toppings, this open-faced sandwich is a Maltese must-try.

Meat dishes

• Bragioli: Known as beef olives (a reference to the shape, it’s an olive-free dish), these stuffed beef rolls are slow-cooked in a tomato-based sauce.

• Stuffat tal-fenek: A slow-cooked rabbit stew often served with Maltese bread, perfect for dipping into the rich sauce.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Torta tal-lampuki: Lampuki is a type of fish caught around Malta, and this dish pairs it with vegetables in a flaky pastry pie.

• Aljotta: This traditional Maltese fish soup combines small fish, fried onions, tomatoes and rice.

Street food

• Pastizzi: Filled with ricotta or peas, these flaky pastries are a Maltese street food icon.

• Timpana: Perfect for meat lovers, puff pastry layered with macaroni or penne, beef, pork, chicken liver, bacon, onions and tomatoes.

Sweets and desserts

• Imqaret: These sugar-dusted, deep-fried pastries are filled with a spicy, citrusy date filling.

• Ħelwa tat-tork: Made with sugar, tahini and roasted almonds, these crumbly nougats are great with coffee.

Local drinks

• Ġellewża Frizzante: This strawberry-flavoured sparkling wine is the perfect way to toast your Maltese holiday.

• Kinnie: Fizz of a different order, this bitter-sweet, orangey carbonated soft drink is beloved across the island.