St Paul's Bay vacation packages

How to reach Saint Paul’s Bay

• Transfer time: From Malta International Airport, it's a 30-minute taxi or 1-hour bus ride to Saint Paul’s Bay.

• Price: Prepaid taxis cost about $30 plus any administration fees, and bus tickets are $2.70–$3.20, valid for 2 hours after first use.

Best time to visit Saint Paul’s Bay

The ideal visiting time for Saint Paul’s Bay vacations depends on your activities and preferred weather conditions.

• March to May: Temperatures rise from 63 to 77°F, with decreased rainfall and 7 to 10 hours of sunshine daily. These months are great for sightseeing and coastal walks, but swimming is best postponed until May.

• June to August: The weather is hot and dry, with temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s and up to 12 hours of sunshine a day, making the beaches very appealing.

• September to November: Expect temperatures to drop to 82–70°F, ideal for beaches and swimming with fewer crowds. However, anticipate more rain, especially in November.

• December to February: It's mild and wet, with temperatures around 61°F and average rainfall between 3.5 and 3.25 inches. The February celebration of St Paul’s Shipwreck is a seasonal highlight.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: English and Maltese are official languages.

• Currency: Malta uses the euro.

• Getting around:

  • Buses and taxis are the most convenient ways to travel. Day bus fare is $2.70, and night services are $3.20.

  • A 7-Day Explore card offers unlimited travel for 7 days at $27.

  • Taxi base fare is $3.80 plus $2.70 for the first mile and decreases slightly as distance increases.

  • Ride-sharing services like Bolt or eCabs have dynamic pricing based on demand.

  • Renting a car provides flexibility but can be inconvenient due to limited parking.

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

Best things to do in Saint Paul’s Bay

From captivating coastal views to historical landmarks and nature reserves, there’s plenty to see and enjoy on vacations to Saint Paul’s Bay.

Viewpoints and panoramas

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

• The Rock: Just a bit up from Buġibba Perched Beach, this is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

The best districts

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

• Qawra: Offering an array of dining and entertainment options, Qawra is a bit quieter than Buġibba.

Parks and gardens

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

Museums

• The Malta Classic Car Collection: Decorated with 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s memorabilia, you don’t need to be a car enthusiast to enjoy a visit to this vintage automobile museum.

• Salina Salt Museum: Located in 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, this simple church is an important part of local religious life.

• Buġibba Temple: Situated in the grounds of the DoubleTree by Hilton Malta, this megalithic structure dates back 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 him, it's worth boating over 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. It’s 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, whether it’s a day at the aquarium or a visit to a waterpark.

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

• Aquariums and zoos: Home to sharks, rays, jellyfish, and much more, kids will love exploring 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. For older children wanting more excitement, Splash and Fun Water Park is better with water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers.

Free things to do in Saint Paul’s Bay

From heritage sites to swimming and sunbathing, you can easily fill your days without spending much.

• 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 must-see list of heritage sites.

• Public beaches: Buġibba Perched Beach is the main beach in the area, but there are many 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

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

• Hiking: 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 vacations

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

• 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 snorkeling 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 snorkeling and a quieter beach experience.

Whether you’re relaxing on Bugibba Perched Beach or exploring the nearby bays, Saint Paul's Bay vacations 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

Vacations to Saint Paul's Bay offer a delightful mix of Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine, featuring everything 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-flavored sparkling wine is the perfect way to toast your Maltese vacation.

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