St. Paul's Bay

Town

St. Paul’s Bay stretches into seawalls, promenades, and dive shops; boat operators run trips to wrecks and islands, while beaches and boardwalk cafes host sunbathers and fishing families.

St. Paul's Bay Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsRoyal Opera House, VallettaĦal Saflieni HypogeumCominottoTarxien TemplesTa' QaliPalazzo FerreriaCominoMaltaSt Paul's IslandTa' Qali National StadiumManoel IslandSt. Paul's CathedralTa' Ħaġrat TemplesMaltese islandsPopeye VillageRotunda of MostaSan Anton PalaceSkorba TemplesSt. Paul's Bay

St. Paul's Bay essentials

Country: Malta
Driest months: Jun-Aug
Pay in: Euro (€)
Language: Maltese

Where to Go in St. Paul's Bay

Sight Ġgantija ĠgantijaAncient megalithic temples on Gozo, extremely early structures Sight Għar Dalam Għar DalamPrehistoric cave in Malta with ancient animal remains Sight St. Paul's Cathedral St. Paul's CathedralMdina cathedral housing baroque art and historic relics Island Gozo GozoSmaller Maltese island with rural landscapes and megaliths Island Comino CominoTiny Maltese island famed for the Blue Lagoon Island Malta MaltaMain Maltese island housing Valletta and historical sites History Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum Ħal Saflieni HypogeumUnderground Neolithic burial chamber in Malta, exceptionally preserved History Mnajdra MnajdraNeolithic megalithic temple complex on the southern coast History Ħaġar Qim Ħaġar QimNeolithic megalithic temple complex near Qrendi Nature Filfla FilflaSmall uninhabited rocky islet south of Malta Nature Ta' Qali Ta' QaliLarge public park with crafts village and national stadium Nature Popeye Village Popeye VillageFormer film set in Malta converted to village attraction
All Attractions
Neighbourhoods

St. Paul's Bay at a Glance

Local Time
1:09 AM
GMT+1
Population
32,042

Costs: Daily tourist budget: $80-140 - popular resort with midrange hotels, seafood, and tourist services.

Safety: Generally safe; busy in summer - safe for tourists, but exercise caution in crowded nightlife areas.

Best Time: Best time: May-September - warm sea and abundant tourist activities in summer months.

St. Paul’s Bay is named after the traditional site of St. Paul’s shipwreck in AD 60.

Why Visit St. Paul's Bay?

Stretching along a long coastline, St. Paul’s Bay is a magnet for beachgoers and divers with easy access to diving sites and boat trips. The neighbourhoods of Bugibba and Qawra provide an active promenade, cafés and family-friendly attractions, while quieter stretches of rocky coast appeal to snorkelers. Evenings bring plenty of restaurants serving fresh fish and local Maltese dishes. Seasonal festivals and open-air markets add local color during summer months.

Best Things to Do in St. Paul's Bay

St. Paul's Bay Bucket List

Don't Miss

Popeye Village (Anchor Bay) - Visit Popeye Village film set turned family attraction with rock pools and boat trips.

St. Paul’s Bay promenade and harbour - Walk the promenade to see fishing boats, cafés and accessible swimming spots.

Qawra and Buġibba area - Explore neighboring Qawra and Buġibba for waterfront dining, bars and coastal walks.

Hidden Gems

San Pawl Milqi archaeological site - Visit San Pawl Milqi to explore archaeological remains of a Roman-era agricultural complex.

Mistra Bay and rocky coves - Find rocky coves like Mistra Bay for secluded swims and local fisherman’s huts.

Local dive centers and wrecks - Book a local dive center to explore wrecks and reefs off St. Paul’s Bay.

Day Trips

Valletta by bus or ferry - Catch a quick bus or ferry to Valletta for museums, fortifications and cafés.

Mellieħa and Golden Bay - Drive north to Mellieħa for sandy Golden Bay and panoramic hilltop Sanctuary views.

When to Go

Best Time to Visit St. Paul's Bay

St. Paul’s Bay is best visited in spring or early autumn for comfortable swimming and quieter promenades. Summers are hot and briskly busy; winters are mild and wet, suited for indoor activities.

Winter

November - March12 to 18°C (54 to 64°F)

Mild, rainy winters suit cultural visits and off-season pricing; some sea days remain possible but expect unsettled weather and fewer sunbathing opportunities.

Spring & Autumn

April - May & October17 to 24°C (63 to 75°F)

Warm, breezy and pleasant - perfect for swimming, exploring limestone villages and walking coastal promenades without the peak summer crowds or intense heat.

Summer

June - September24 to 33°C (75 to 91°F)

Hot, very dry summers filled with beach days, late sunsets and packed waterfronts - expect high humidity, crowded popular spots, and lively nightlife into the small hours.

Climate

Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 10°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (519 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 49 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 10° - 16° 13° 85 mm partly cloudy 74% 4.4 m/s 0.4 low 9.9h
February Very Good 10° - 16° 13° 57 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.5 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.8h
March Very Good 10° - 17° 14° 37 mm partly cloudy 80% 4.3 m/s 1.0 high 11.8h
April Excellent 12° - 19° 16° 21 mm some cloud 83% 4.8 m/s 1.5 high 13.0h
May Ideal 15° - 23° 19° 8 mm mostly sunny 82% 4.3 m/s 1.9 very high 13.9h
June Ideal 19° - 28° 23° 2 mm clear 80% 3.9 m/s 2.3 extreme 14.4h
July Ideal 21° - 30° 26° 0 mm clear 77% 3.6 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.1h
August Ideal 22° - 31° 27° 5 mm clear 75% 3.2 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.3h
September Ideal 21° - 28° 24° 41 mm mostly sunny 75% 3.3 m/s 1.5 high 12.3h
October Excellent 18° - 25° 21° 79 mm some cloud 76% 3.4 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.2h
November Very Good 14° - 21° 17° 83 mm partly cloudy 74% 3.6 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.2h
December Good 11° - 17° 14° 101 mm partly cloudy 73% 4.3 m/s 0.3 low 9.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to St. Paul's Bay

St. Paul’s Bay and the Qawra/Buġibba resorts are accessible by Tallinja buses from Malta International Airport (MLA) or Valletta, or by taxi for faster transfers. Buses are the budget option; taxis are preferable for late arrivals or direct travel with luggage.

By Air

Malta International Airport (MLA): St. Paul’s Bay (including Qawra/Buġibba) is around 25-35 minutes from the airport by car. From MLA take a bus to Valletta (≈20-25 minutes, €2) and change for a direct bus north to St. Paul’s Bay area (≈25-35 minutes, €2) or take a taxi directly (≈€20-€35, 25-35 minutes).

By Train & Bus

Train: There are no trains on Malta.

Bus: St. Paul’s Bay (Qawra/Buġibba) is well served by Tallinja buses from Valletta and the airport; journey times from Valletta are roughly 30-40 minutes depending on the route and traffic, with a single cash fare of €2. Buses are frequent in the daytime but may thin out late at night.

How to Get Around St. Paul's Bay

Tallinja buses are the most economical way to reach St. Paul’s Bay; taxis and car hire give greater flexibility for early/late travel and exploring the coast.

  • Bus (Tallinja) (€2) - Tallinja buses run regularly between Valletta, the airport and St. Paul’s Bay; expect a single cash fare of €2 and travel times around 30-40 minutes from Valletta. Buses are the cheapest option but can be crowded in summer peak times.
  • Taxi / eCabs / Bolt (€20-€35) - Taxis and app services offer direct transfers from the airport and around the island to St. Paul’s Bay; fares from the airport are typically €20-€35 depending on traffic and time of day. They’re convenient for door‑to‑door travel, especially with luggage or late arrivals.
  • Car hire (€25-€60/day) - Hiring a car makes it easy to explore north Malta and quieter beaches around St. Paul’s Bay. Rental cars are available from the airport and hire companies in town; expect daily rates from about €25-€50.
  • Bicycle / Scooter hire (€10-€25/day) - Scooters and bikes are common rental options for coastal sightseeing, though roads can be busy and parking limited; use quieter side roads where possible and wear a helmet. Rentals typically start at €10/day.
  • Walking - The seafront promenade in St. Paul’s Bay, Qawra and Buġibba is very walkable and good for evening strolls; most hotels and restaurants are within easy walking distance of the waterfront.

Where to Stay in St. Paul's Bay

Budget

I can fetch accurate, up-to-date budget options and URLs for St. Paul’s Bay if you’d like. Shall I look these up now?

Mid-Range

I can fetch accurate, up-to-date mid-range hotels and URLs for St. Paul’s Bay if you’d like. Shall I look these up now?

Luxury

I can fetch accurate, up-to-date luxury hotels and URLs for St. Paul’s Bay if you’d like. Shall I look these up now?

Eat & Drink

Where to Eat in St. Paul's Bay

Waterfront & Family Spots

St. Paul’s Bay has many tourist-oriented restaurants, seafood grills and casual international options.

Gelato & Cafés

Popular promenade cafés and gelato stands offer seaside people-watching and light bites.

Breakdown of cuisine types found across St. Paul’s Bay’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza
Burger
Italian
Mediterranean
Regional
Kebab
Pasta
Chinese
Indian
Seafood
Asian
Coffee Shop
Sushi
Turkish
Sandwich
Chicken
Maltese
Steak House
Japanese
Breakfast

Nightlife in St. Paul's Bay

St. Paul’s Bay offers a livelier resort atmosphere than many small towns, with bars, pubs and some live-music venues concentrated around Bugibba and Qawra. If you want bigger clubs, travel to St. Julian’s/Paceville, but the bay area has plenty of evening options.

Shopping in St. Paul's Bay

Shopping here caters to tourists: souvenir shops, small boutiques and convenience stores line the seafront and squares. For a fuller retail experience, larger malls in Sliema or the capital are nearby.