ST. PAUL’S BAY

St. Paul’s Bay and its neighbours Buġibba and Qawra are Malta’s largest, seaside resorts.

They offer plentiful accommodation ranging from self-catering apartments to hotel complexes and a variety of nightlife and leisure options. The coastline here has some wonderful open seaviews and a vista across to St. Paul’s Island, where, according to legend, the ship carrying the Apostle is said to have been wrecked. Standing prominently on the isle is a large statue of the Apostle commemorating this legendary event. The coastline promenade provides a long, though mostly level and easy walk from St. Paul’s Bay all the way to Qawra Point, with its tower and views over Salina Bay. St. Paul’s Bay started life as a small fishing village.

The parish church, built in 1617, was carefully restored after suffering heavy damage in World War II. Nearby is the Wignacourt Tower built in 1610 during the reign of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt. It served as Malta’s northern-most defensive outpost until fort St. Agatha was built in Mellieħa in 1649. Today, it houses a small museum dedicated to Malta’s rich military-architectural heritage.