Is Bugibba Worth It? An Honest Answer

Read a few travel blogs and forums and you will find two opinions about Bugibba: "the least charming place in Malta" and "the perfect base". Both are partly true. We live here and host guests from all over Europe, so here is the honest version, the good and the not so good, to help you decide.

What people don't like (and how true it is)

• "It's built-up and not pretty." True. Most of Bugibba was built from the 1970s onwards as a resort, with hotels and apartment blocks, and there are building sites, as everywhere in Malta. There are no historic streets here: for those you go to Valletta, Mdina or Gozo.
• "There's no real beach." Partly true. The coast is flat rock with ladders into clear, deep water, which is lovely for swimming. The only sand in town is the man-made Bugibba Perched Beach. The big sandy beaches, Mellieħa Bay, Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa, are a short bus or car ride away.
• "It's touristy and crowded." In July and August, around Bugibba Square and the promenade, yes. From October to May it is calm, and a few streets back from the sea it is a normal residential town all year.
• "It's far from Valletta." It is about 15 km. By car that is roughly half an hour; by bus it takes longer at rush hour. If most of your plans are in Valletta, staying there or in Sliema makes sense.
• "The nightlife is limited." There are bars, a casino and some summer clubs, but for big nights out people go to Paceville in St. Julian's.

What Bugibba does really well

• The sea, everywhere. A long seafront promenade runs from Bugibba around Qawra Point to Salina Bay, perfect for walking, running and sunsets, with swimming spots and lidos all along it.
• Transport. The Bugibba bus terminus is one of the biggest in Malta, with direct routes to Valletta, Sliema, Mdina, the northern beaches and the Ċirkewwa ferry. New since May 2026: a fast ferry leaves from the Bugibba promenade for Gozo in about 30 minutes and for Sliema; timetable and fares in our transport guide.
• Boat trips. Boats to Comino and the Blue Lagoon, coastal cruises and trips to St. Paul's Islands leave from the bay.
• Value. Accommodation and restaurants generally cost less than in Valletta, Sliema or St. Julian's, and you get more space for the money: useful for families and groups.
• Everyday life. Supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries, restaurants of every kind and the National Aquarium are all within walking distance.
• Close to the north. Mellieħa, Popeye Village, the Red Tower and the Gozo ferry are all nearby, and so are the quieter corners in our guide to hidden gems near St. Paul's Bay.

Bugibba, Sliema or Valletta?

For a fuller comparison see where to stay in Malta and, within the bay, Bugibba, Qawra or Xemxija.

Who will love it, and who won't

You will probably love Bugibba if you are a family or a group who wants space and a kitchen, if you like swimming in the sea every day, if you plan day trips to Gozo, Comino and the north, or if you are coming between October and May for mild weather and quiet streets.

You may prefer somewhere else if this is a two-night city break, if you want to step out into baroque streets, if nightlife is a priority, or if you need a sandy beach with shallow water right outside the door for toddlers (in that case look at Mellieħa).

Our tips for enjoying Bugibba

• Choose your street. The square and the first line of the promenade are lively until late in summer; a few streets inland it is much quieter and you are still five minutes from the sea.
• Use the sea, not the sand. Bring water shoes and a mask: the rocks between Bugibba and Qawra Point are full of fish.
• Go out by boat. Take the fast ferry to Gozo for the day, or a boat to Comino early in the morning.
• Walk at sunset. The promenade from Bugibba to Qawra Point at golden hour is the best free thing in town.

Read next: Best Things to Do in St. Paul's Bay · Hidden Gems near St. Paul's Bay

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