The bay, Qawra, Bugibba and Xemxija — Malta’s northern coastal strip, where the sea is at the end of the street and the rent leaves you something to spend on the rest of your life.
The northern strip runs from Xemxija round the bay through St Paul’s Bay proper and on to Bugibba and Qawra — four names for what is, in practice, one stretch of coast. It is the most affordable seaside living in Malta by a clear margin, and the trade-off is honest: you are further from Valletta and the business districts than the harbour towns, and the summer brings holidaymakers. What you get in return is a sea view within walking distance of almost any address, a long promenade, and rents that make a two-bedroom apartment genuinely achievable.
St Paul’s Bay is the oldest and quietest part, wrapped around the bay itself. Bugibba is the busiest — the square, the restaurants, the bulk of the nightlife. Qawra sits on the far side of the headland, a little calmer, with the long seafront promenade. Xemxija climbs the hill at the western end and has the best views of the lot. They are minutes apart, and most people who live here treat the whole strip as home rather than picking one.
Photos: Palm-lined seafront promenade in St Paul’s Bay, Malta by Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0 · The bay at Xemxija, St Paul’s Bay by Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Fishing boats in Buġibba harbour at sunset by Karelj, CC BY-SA 3.0
People who want to live by the sea without paying Sliema prices, remote workers who don’t commute daily, couples and sharers early in their time in Malta, and anyone who would rather swim before work than sit in traffic. It’s also where a lot of people start out on the island and then stay, because once you have the sea at the end of the road it’s hard to give up.
St Paul’s Bay — including Buġibba, Qawra and Xemxija — is one of the most affordable seaside areas in Malta. Seafront apartments with open views sit at the top of the range; inner streets and older blocks give the best value.
| Home size | Typical monthly rent |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | €800–950 |
| 2 bedrooms | €950–1,350 |
| 3 bedrooms | €1,250–1,550 |
| 4 bedrooms & penthouses | Valued individually |
Ranges come from long lets we closed in 2025–2026, not asking prices. Floor, finish, views, parking and whether the home is furnished decide where a property sits within its range.
Browse them now, or tell us your budget and move date and we’ll send you matches — including homes before they’re advertised.
See St Paul’s Bay homesFind My HomeEvery long let in St Paul’s Bay falls under Malta’s Private Residential Leases Act (Chapter 604). These are the clauses that matter most when you sign:
Still comparing? Read our guides to renting in Mellieħa and renting in Mosta, or compare all 15 towns side by side in Where to live in Malta.
Yusef is a passionate real estate professional with a sharp eye for opportunity and a heart for helping people find their place.
Standing tall both in stature and spirit, he believes in genuine connection – understanding that behind every property, there’s a story waiting to be told.
Over the years, Yusef has built a strong network of landlords, tenants, and partners, trusted for his integrity, leadership, and vision.
His mission is simple: to elevate the rental experience in Malta through honesty, quality, and care.
The northern strip is the most affordable coastal area in Malta, and prices vary by how close you are to the water and how new the block is. Tell us your budget on WhatsApp and we’ll send you what is genuinely available in your range rather than a list of things that have already gone.
Choose Sliema if you need to walk to a harbour-side office or want the island’s busiest social scene. Choose the north if you want to live by the sea for meaningfully less rent, and you either work remotely or don’t mind the drive.
Yes, particularly outside the summer months. Schools, clinics and supermarkets are all on the strip, the promenade is safe and flat for children, and family-sized apartments cost far less here than on the eastern coast.
Useful but not essential. Daily life on the strip is walkable, and the bus links south are reasonable — but if you commute to Valletta, Sliema or the business districts every day, a car will save you a great deal of time.
Much quieter, and most residents prefer it. The holiday crowds thin out from October, the promenade belongs to the locals again, and the sea is still there. Worth knowing if you’re viewing in August and wondering what you’re signing up for.
Browse our verified listings across St Paul’s Bay, Qawra, Bugibba and Xemxija, or message us on WhatsApp and we’ll send you what’s available before it goes public.
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