Where to Stay in St. Paul’s Bay with Kids: Bugibba vs Qawra (Best Family Areas & Hotels)

St. Paul’s Bay is one of the most popular areas to stay in the north of Malta — but it doesn’t work for every family. It includes Bugibba, Qawra, and the older part of St. Paul’s Bay, and at first glance, it looks like a very practical choice: a long seaside promenade, plenty of restaurants, supermarkets, hotels and easy bus connections across the island. If you plan to rely on buses during your stay, read public transport in Malta explained to understand tickets, travel times and what to expect in practice.

The question is whether it actually fits the kind of holiday you’re planning.

Choosing the right area in Malta doesn’t just affect your experience – it also changes how much time, money and energy you’ll spend on transport, beach access and daily logistics.

At the same time, it’s important to point out that St. Paul’s Bay is not a typical beach destination for families with small children. If you imagine a holiday where your hotel is just a few steps from a sandy beach with a gentle entry into the sea, you will likely be happier in Mellieħa. St. Paul’s Bay works differently. It is more of a practical base with a promenade, restaurants, excursions and hotels, where families often spend more time by the pool than at a classic beach.

Quick decision: Best for families with older kids who want variety and convenience. If you’re travelling with small children and need a sandy beach every day, Mellieħa is usually the better choice.

This is exactly where the area’s strength lies. If you are travelling with older children, teenagers, or simply not looking for a purely beach-focused holiday, Bugibba or Qawra can be a very good choice. Accommodation here is often more affordable than in Sliema or St. Julian’s, while still offering easy access to tourist services, a promenade and evening life, without feeling as hectic as the more central parts of the island.

Best Family Hotels in St. Paul’s Bay (Quick Picks)

Hotel prices in Malta can vary significantly depending on the booking platform. For family rooms or apartments, it is worth comparing not only the price but also the actual availability for multiple guests. During the high season, family rooms in this area tend to sell out quickly, so if you have specific dates, it’s best to check availability as early as possible. If you don’t want to spend too much time deciding, AX Odycy is one of the easiest choices for families thanks to its pools, modern facilities and location right on the promenade.

When choosing family accommodation in St. Paul’s Bay, don’t focus only on star ratings, but mainly on the room type. Some hotels may appear spacious at first glance but actually offer only a limited number of true family rooms or apartments. I recommend booking 3–4 months in advance, as these options tend to sell out quickly in peak season.

Is St. Paul’s Bay Good for Families with Kids? (What to Expect)

Yes, but it largely depends on the age of your children and the type of holiday you are planning. For families with small children or non-swimmers who want to spend every day on a sandy beach with a gentle entry into the sea, this is usually not the best area in Malta. Most of the coastline here is rocky, and swimming is typically from rocks, concrete platforms or via ladders into the water. This is often perfectly fine for adults and older children, but for toddlers or younger kids, Mellieħa is generally a better option due to its sandy beaches.

On the other hand, for families with school-age children or teenagers, St. Paul’s Bay can be a very good choice. There is a promenade, ice cream shops, restaurants, evening activity, hotel entertainment programmes, boat trips and even a sea aquarium. It’s not a destination primarily chosen for its beaches, but rather for its combination of facilities, accessibility and wide range of accommodation.

Bugibba: Best for Convenience and Evening Life

Bugibba (pronounced roughly “bu-JIB-ba”) is the liveliest part of the area. You’ll find a large number of restaurants, cafés, bars, shops, supermarkets and tourist services. This is why many people choose it as a base, as almost everything is within walking distance. For families, this is particularly convenient if you don’t want to rely solely on hotel restaurants or organise every trip by bus.

However, Bugibba is also busier and less “picture-perfect” than some other parts of Malta. In the evenings, there are more people, more lights, more movement and, during peak season, more noise. Some will enjoy the lively atmosphere, while others may find it too touristy. For this reason, I would recommend Bugibba more for families with older children rather than those looking for a quiet beach holiday with small kids.

A major advantage of Bugibba is the promenade and the overall concentration of services. When you step out of your hotel in the evening, you don’t need to plan anything. You can simply walk along the sea, have dinner, grab an ice cream or stroll with a pram. From a practical point of view, it is one of the most convenient tourist areas in Malta.

Qawra: Quieter Area with Better Hotel Resorts

Qawra (pronounced roughly “OW-ra”) continues on from Bugibba and is often preferred by families because it feels slightly quieter. There are more large hotels and resorts, a wider coastline and also the Malta National Aquarium. If you are looking for an area with good hotel facilities, a pool and a promenade, but don’t want to stay in the busiest part of Bugibba, Qawra is a better choice.

It’s fair to mention that the coastline in Qawra is mostly rocky and more exposed. The water is usually very clear, but swimming is not as comfortable as on a sandy beach. With small children, this often means you’ll spend most of your time by the hotel pool instead of the sea. For older children and adults, it’s perfectly fine, especially if they enjoy snorkelling or don’t mind using ladders to enter the water.

In my view, Qawra is a more balanced choice than Bugibba for families who want quieter evenings and better resort-style facilities, while Bugibba offers more restaurants, bars and nightlife.

Old St. Paul’s Bay: Local Feel and Quiet Stay

The older part of St. Paul’s Bay itself is smaller, quieter and feels less touristy than Bugibba or Qawra. It doesn’t come across as a typical resort at first glance. On the other hand, it lacks the same concentration of hotels, restaurants and services, so without a car, you’ll rely more on buses or taxis.

However, if you are looking for a calmer atmosphere and don’t mind staying slightly away from the busiest promenade areas, the older part of St. Paul’s Bay can still be a good choice. It’s more suitable for those seeking a balance between tourist facilities and a more local feel.

Why stay in St. Paul’s Bay with kids

• wide range of hotels, apartments and aparthotels
• long promenade suitable for evening walks
• restaurants, shops and supermarkets within walking distance
• often better value compared to Sliema or St. Julian’s
• good base for exploring northern Malta
• particularly suitable for families with older children or teenagers

Pros and Cons of Staying in St. Paul’s Bay

• not a classic beach destination with large sandy beaches
• most swimming is from rocks, ladders or concrete platforms
• for families with small children or non-swimmers, Mellieħa is a better choice for swimming
• Bugibba can be busy in peak season
• some parts feel more touristy and less picturesque than other areas of Malta

Things to Do with Kids in St. Paul’s Bay

One of the advantages of St. Paul’s Bay is that you’re not limited to just your hotel and the promenade. In Qawra, you’ll find the Malta National Aquarium. It’s not a huge complex like in Dubai, but if you’re staying in St. Paul’s Bay with kids and looking for a relaxed 1–2 hour activity or a break from the intense summer sun, it’s definitely worth considering. For us, the highlight was the tunnel with sharks.

However, the aquarium is just one option. From Bugibba, you can take boat trips to Comino (Blue Lagoon), one of the most visited places in Malta. I recommend choosing an early morning or late afternoon departure – otherwise, it can feel extremely crowded in the water.

This makes the area a very practical base for families who want to include organised trips without complicated logistics. If you want to avoid crowded ferries and complicated transfers, a boat trip from Bugibba is one of the easiest ways to reach Comino.

I recommend choosing an early morning or late afternoon departure – otherwise, it can feel extremely crowded in the water.

Another option is visiting Popeye Village, originally built as a film set. At first glance, it looks like a fairytale with colourful houses and activities, and it works very well for younger children. However, for kids aged around 10 and above, it may feel more like an attraction for younger audiences. We visited during Christmas, when the village is themed, and the festive atmosphere was a big hit with the kids.

If you’re missing a classic sandy beach, Mellieħa Bay is about a 15–20 minute drive or bus ride away. The combination of excursions, accessibility and evening promenade life is exactly why many families choose St. Paul’s Bay instead of staying in one place all the time.

Accommodation Prices in St. Paul’s Bay (Family Budget Guide)

St. Paul’s Bay is often more affordable than Sliema or St. Julian’s, especially if you’re looking for larger family rooms or apartments. Prices depend on the season, room type, sea view and how early you book. In general, families tend to have more options here compared to the more expensive central areas.

• off-season: approximately €80–150 per night
• summer and school holidays: approximately €140–260 per night
• larger family rooms and apartments can be more expensive or sell out quickly

How to Choose the Right Hotel for Your Family

• if travelling with small children and prioritising easy swimming, consider Mellieħa instead
• if you want more restaurants, promenade life and livelier evenings, look in Bugibba
• if you prefer quieter surroundings and resort-style hotels, choose Qawra
• always check the actual room capacity, not just the number of guests listed
• book well in advance for summer, as the best family options sell out quickly
• if arriving late or with tired children and luggage, it’s easier to pre-book a transfer – the driver will pick you up at the airport and you avoid bus transfers or searching for a taxi, while taxis are available, availability and pricing can vary, especially in peak season.

Is St. Paul’s Bay Worth It for Families?

Yes, but it’s not the best choice for everyone. If you’re travelling with small children or non-swimmers, Mellieħa with its sandy beaches is generally a better option. However, if you’re looking for a base with a wide range of hotels, restaurants, a promenade and good access to excursions, St. Paul’s Bay is a very practical choice.

In my opinion, this area works best for families with older children, teenagers, or those who don’t want to spend the entire holiday on one beach. In that case, the combination of Bugibba and Qawra offers a strong balance of price, facilities and location compared to some of the more famous parts of the island. If you want specific hotel options, check the availability in the table above – some hotels sell out quickly during peak season.

If you’re travelling during summer holidays, it’s important to book family rooms or apartments well in advance. Accommodation for four people is often among the first to sell out.

If you’re unsure which area is better for families, compare it with my detailed guide to where to stay in Mellieħa with kids.

If you want a mix of affordable accommodation, excursions and evening life, St. Paul’s Bay is a very practical choice – just keep in mind that facilities matter more here than the beach itself.

Frequently asked questions about accommodation in St. Paul’s Bay