The Best of Bugibba: Traveller’s Guide

I’ll be honest: Bugibba is touristy and very busy, and it isn’t my favourite part of Malta. What I do like is the promenade. It’s wide and open, and you can walk along the sea for kilometres. Also, sometimes I go to Salini, by Kennedy Grove, just outside Bugibba, to walk my dog.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Quick answer: Bugibba is a busy, budget-friendly resort town in St Paul’s Bay, in the north of Malta. It’s a good base if you want a cheaper hotel, a long seafront promenade and boats to Comino and Gozo on your doorstep. If you only have about five days in Malta and are staying elsewhere, I wouldn’t make a special trip, unless you’re heading to the aquarium or to Café del Mar.

History and Culture

Bugibba is young as a town but sits on very old ground. It grew quickly from the 1960s, when tourism took off in Malta, and most of the hotels and flats you see today were built since then.

The oldest thing here is much older than that. Buġibba Temple is a small megalithic temple from around 2800 BC, from the same period as the Tarxien temples. Today it sits inside the grounds of the Dolmen Resort Hotel, next to the swimming pools. On the seafront you’ll find Wignacourt Tower, the oldest surviving watchtower in Malta, built by the Knights of St John in 1610. It’s now a small museum run by Din l-Art Ħelwa. Qawra Tower, on the tip of Qawra Point, followed in 1638. If you’re interested in Malta’s history, check out my guide to the top historical sites.

The whole bay is named after St Paul. By tradition he was shipwrecked on the small St Paul’s Islands, just off this coast, in AD 60. Malta marks the shipwreck every year on 10 February with a public holiday and a feast, with the biggest celebration in Valletta. More in my guide to Malta in February.

How to Get There

Planning a trip to this town in Malta? It’s easy to get there. Here’s how:

By bus: Bugibba’s bus terminal has regular services to the airport, Valletta and most other towns. From the airport, route 214 goes to Bugibba via Rabat and Mosta and takes about an hour. There are also newer Airport Direct routes (TD) that stop in Bugibba. On Airport Direct buses a single ticket is €3 in cash or contactless (checked September 2026). Check times on Malta Public Transport. My guide on how to get around Malta explains tickets and cards.

By ferry (new): Since May 2026, Gozo Highspeed runs a fast ferry from Sliema to Bugibba and on to Mġarr in Gozo. Sliema to Bugibba takes about 30 minutes, and Bugibba to Gozo takes another 30 minutes. A one-way ticket between Sliema and Bugibba is €6.50 for adults, or free with a personalised Tallinja card. Bugibba to Gozo is €6.50. There are about 12 sailings a day each way (check the Gozo Highspeed timetable). Malta is adding more water links, and this one makes Bugibba much easier to reach without sitting in traffic.

By taxi: There are 3 ride-hailing apps: Uber, Bolt and eCabs. It is sometimes worth checking them all since prices can be quite different.

Rent a car: Staying in Malta for a week or more? Rent a car. I use Discover Cars. They offer many options, good deals, and excellent customer service. Plus, you can cancel for free up to 48 hours before your trip.

Getting Around Bugibba

Bugibba is small, so it is best explored on foot, especially along its seaside promenade. This promenade, lined with palm trees, connects to Qawra, the neighbouring area. You can also follow the seafront to Xemxija and enjoy the Mediterranean views.

Is Bugibba Worth Visiting on Vacation?

If you’re not staying in Bugibba, you might skip it. It has a nice promenade for walking and lots of places to eat. But it’s not as special as other spots in Malta. If you have around five days in Malta, I don’t think it’s worth a special trip.

There are two exceptions. If you want a pool day, Café del Mar is very popular. On a rainy day or when visiting with children, you might want to see Malta’s National Aquarium.

Is This Town a Good Place to Stay During Your Holidays?

Yes, if you’re on a budget. Bugibba is cheaper than St. Julian’s or Sliema and has many all-inclusive resorts. The town is full of hotels, restaurants, and bars. To see what’s available and compare prices, browse hotels in Bugibba on Booking.com.

Bugibba is one of the two main places, with Sliema, where the day boats to Comino leave from, and there are also boat trips to Gozo. A popular option that leaves from Bugibba is this boat trip to the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Gozo’s sea caves. With the new fast ferry you can also reach Sliema and Gozo by sea, and the bus terminal covers the rest of the island.

Keep in mind that Bugibba doesn’t have sandy beaches. It’s busy, noisy, and can get dirty in summer. There’s also quite a bit of construction.

I prefer St. Julian’s, Sliema, or Valletta, but Bugibba is a decent choice for your holiday.

If you’re looking at different towns for your stay in Malta, take a look at my guide comparing the best towns to stay in Malta to help you choose the one that suits you best.

Things to Do

If you’re staying in Bugibba and prefer exploring local sites, here are some things to do:

Stroll the promenade: Walk along the scenic seaside promenade. You can go all the way to Qawra or Xemxija. You can walk along the sea for at least 5 kilometres.

Visit the main square: See where the town comes alive. There are bars, restaurants, and ice cream. Bugibba Square has recently been redone. It’s open and modern, though some people complain it isn’t very green.

Walk at Salini and Kennedy Grove: For a green break from the concrete, head to Salini at the end of the bay, by Kennedy Grove. It’s a quiet park by the salt pans, and it’s where I sometimes take my dog.

Beach time: Chill or swim on rocky beaches.

Day by the pool: Relaxing day with great views at Café del Mar, at Qawra Point. The lido and infinity pool are open from April to October. Book sunbeds ahead on summer weekends.

Snorkelling: See marine life in clear waters. My snorkelling guide lists the best spots around Malta.

Scuba diving: Try diving with one of the local schools. You can do a try dive or a full course. If you’ve never dived before, this first-experience scuba diving lesson in St Paul’s Bay is a well-reviewed place to start.

Eat fish by the sea: I sometimes go to Ocean Basket for fish.

Take a boat trip to Comino: See my top recommended boat tours to Blue Lagoon, or my wider guide to boat trips in Malta.

Nightlife: Check out the bars and clubs for fun evenings. More in my Malta nightlife guide.

Historical sites: See Torri ta’ Wignacourt, a museum in a 1610 watchtower with sea views.

Take a Xemxija Hill heritage walk: Walk and find ancient tombs and caves. Here is a full guide to the Xemxija Heritage Trail.

Explore Malta’s National Aquarium: It’s in Qawra, but still a walk away. See ocean creatures and fish from Malta. Kids will love it. Book your aquarium entry ticket here. For more ideas with children, see Malta with kids.

Is There a Beach in Bugibba?

Yes, Bugibba has a beach. It is called Bugibba Perched Beach. It’s an artificial sandy beach, which was originally rocky. Lifeguards are on duty. The beach is clear and great for snorkelling, but pebbly.

Qawra Point Beach is within walking distance from Bugibba. It’s a rocky beach with ladders to the water. It’s great when other places are windy. It has clear water, beach rentals, and a nearby bar. Suitable for a peaceful swim or lounging on the rocks. Parking and a restaurant are also available.

Overall, you can swim anywhere in Bugibba, except the harbour. If there’s a ladder, it’s safe to use. Avoid rough sea days.

For sandy beaches, try Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, or Ghadira Bay. They’re 15 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes by bus. They have sunbed rentals and water sports. My Malta beaches map shows the rest.

Is Bugibba Right for You?

In conclusion, Bugibba is a lively place in Malta known for its seaside promenade and affordable options. It suits you if you want a cheaper base with boats to Comino and Gozo nearby. However, consider exploring other Maltese towns like Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian’s, Gzira, Marsaxlokk and Rabat.

Questions and Answers

Still planning? My first-timer’s Malta travel guide covers where to stay, getting around and what to do.