Where to Stay in St. Paul's Bay: Bugibba, Qawra or Xemxija?
The three corners of Malta's northern bay, compared by a host who lives here
For most visitors the best place to stay in St. Paul's Bay is Bugibba: it has the promenade, the bus terminus, supermarkets and restaurants all within walking distance. Qawra suits travellers who want resort hotels and the Aquarium on the doorstep, while Xemxija is the quietest option, best if you have a car. Families and groups usually get more space for their money in a self-catering apartment or maisonette than in a hotel.
St. Paul's Bay (San Pawl il-Baħar in Maltese) is the large bay on Malta's north-east coast. It is one of the island's most popular bases because it is more affordable than Sliema or St. Julian's, close to the sandy beaches of the north, and well connected by bus. The bay is really a string of neighbourhoods, though, and each one has a different character. Here is how to choose.
St. Paul's Bay at a glance
| Area | Best for | Atmosphere | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bugibba | Families, groups, first-time visitors, car-free travel | Lively by day, relaxed in the evening; promenade, square, restaurants | Main bus terminus for the north; everything on foot |
| Qawra | Hotel stays, couples, the Aquarium | Resort hotels along the seafront, Qawra Point | Buses along the coast road; flat promenade walk to Bugibba |
| St. Paul's Bay village | Local feel, waterfront dining | Old fishing quarter, churches, Wignacourt Tower | Short bus ride or walk to Bugibba |
| Xemxija | Quiet stays, walkers, travellers with a car | Hillside residential area above a small bay | Fewer shops on foot; a car helps |
Bugibba: the practical choice
Bugibba is the heart of the bay. The seafront promenade runs for kilometres in both directions, Bugibba Square has cafés and restaurants, and there are large supermarkets, pharmacies and bakeries within a few minutes' walk of most streets. The Bugibba bus terminus has direct routes to Valletta, Sliema, Mellieħa, Golden Bay and the Ċirkewwa ferry for Gozo, which makes it the easiest base in the north if you do not want to rent a car.
The streets are mostly flat, which matters with pushchairs or older travellers, and swimming is from the sandy Bugibba Perched Beach or the flat rocks and lidos along the promenade. The sandy beaches of Mellieħa Bay and Golden Bay are a short bus or car ride away. Our local's guide to St. Paul's Bay covers the best swimming spots and places to eat.
Qawra: hotels and the Aquarium
Qawra continues west of Bugibba along the same promenade. It is where most of the bay's large hotels are, and it ends at Qawra Point, a rocky headland with clear water and views over to St. Paul's Islands. The Malta National Aquarium is here too. Qawra is a good choice if you want an all-in hotel with a pool; for longer stays, families often find a hotel room cramped and prefer an apartment nearby.
St. Paul's Bay village and Xemxija
The original village of St. Paul's Bay sits on the inner part of the bay, with its fishing boats, waterfront restaurants and the Wignacourt Tower, one of the oldest coastal watchtowers in Malta. Further round, Xemxija climbs the hillside above a small bay. It is the quietest part of the area and the start of the Xemxija heritage trail, but it is hilly and has fewer shops on foot, so it works best with a car.
Apartment, maisonette or hotel?
St. Paul's Bay has every type of accommodation. Hotels make sense for short stays when you want a pool and breakfast. For four nights or more, and especially for families or groups of friends, a self-catering apartment usually gives more space, separate bedrooms and a kitchen for a similar or lower price per person. A maisonette is a Maltese ground-floor home with its own street entrance, which means no lifts or stairs and often a private yard. We compare the options in more detail in Apartment or Hotel in Malta for a Group?
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Paul's Bay a good place to stay in Malta?
Yes. St. Paul's Bay is one of the best value bases in Malta, with a long seafront promenade, plenty of restaurants and supermarkets, and direct buses to Valletta, Sliema, Mdina, the northern beaches and the Gozo ferry. It is calmer than St. Julian's and usually cheaper than Sliema.
Is Bugibba or Qawra better?
Bugibba is better if you want shops, restaurants and the bus terminus within walking distance, or if you are staying in an apartment. Qawra is better if you want a seafront resort hotel and to be close to the National Aquarium and Qawra Point. They are joined by the same promenade, so the difference is small.
Do I need a car in St. Paul's Bay?
Not in Bugibba or Qawra: the Bugibba bus terminus connects to most of the island. A car is useful in Xemxija, for early ferries to Gozo, or to visit several beaches in one day. Parking in summer can be limited.
Is there a sandy beach in St. Paul's Bay?
Yes, a small one: the Bugibba Perched Beach is a sandy Blue Flag beach built on a platform above the rocks, with ladders into the sea. Elsewhere the bay is mostly flat limestone rocks and lidos. Malta's long sandy beaches, Mellieħa Bay, Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa, are a short bus or car ride away.
Where should a family of 4 to 6 stay in St. Paul's Bay?
Bugibba is the easiest area for families: it is flat, close to the sea, shops and buses. A two-bedroom apartment or maisonette with a kitchen and outdoor space usually suits families better than two hotel rooms. St. Paul Apartment, for example, sleeps up to six with two ensuite bedrooms, a cot and high chair, and a private courtyard.
