Bugibba

Holidays to Bugibba turn up the heat, thanks to year-round sunshine, heartwarming locals, and a scorching strip of bars and restaurants.

Malta’s top dog

On the northern tip of Malta, bubbly Bugibba is one of the island's most in-demand holiday playgrounds. Commanding centre stage on St Paul’s Bay’s rugged 5-kilometre coastline, this small town is crammed with modern hotels and apartment blocks, and has recently had an expensive makeover. Judging by the attractive main square and the promenade, where the brand-new Bugibba Waterpark now resides, it’s been money well spent.

Beaches and lidos

In the centre of town, Bugibba Perched is a 150-metre-long manmade beach that’s been awarded a Blue Flag. As its name implies, it’s elevated above sea level – access to the water is by wooden bridges. A long list of watersports and superb views of St Paul's Island from here draw a faithful crowd. A popular alternative to the beach are the lidos notched along St Paul’s Bay. There’s plenty of sunloungers and ladders leading down to the sea.

The town centre

A short walk from the beach is Il Bajja, the cobbled central square, which is crammed full of open-air cafés, bars and clubs. There’s a brand-new cinema complex a stone’s throw away, too. In the surrounding streets you’ll find Triq It-Turisti, the main strip, where fast food restaurants and Irish pubs are run-of-the-mill. To see Bugibba in a totally different light, head for the small harbour next to Gillieru Hotel where rustic fishing boats rock back and forth with the tide.

Close to Valletta

A 20-minute bus ride away is Malta’s capital, Valletta, where culture vultures fawn over Baroque palaces, the National Museum of Fine Arts and one of Europe's oldest playhouses, the Manoel Theatre. Once you've ticked these off your list you can relax with an al fresco dinner in the Grand Harbour.