St Paul's Catacombs

St Paul's Catacombs

St Paul's Catacombs
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
St.Paul's Catacombs are a typical complex of interconnected, underground Roman cemeteries that were in use up to the 4th century AD. They are located on the outskirts of the old Roman capital Melite (today's Mdina), since Roman law prohibited burials within the city. St Paul's Catacombs represent the earliest and largest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta. The site was cleared and investigated in 1894 by Dr A.A. Caruana, the pioneer of Christian era archaeology in Malta.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • anaowen
    Chorley, United Kingdom1,080 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Ok
    It was a good trip, however there was no guided tour, only an app if you wanted - I don't want an app, people are always on their phones, so a trip out like that, would be nice to just get away from apps and phones! Interesting but would be even better if someone told us about its history. We paid 6 euros each, which was a reasonable price. Good but could be better.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 1, 2024
  • Matthew P
    London, United Kingdom6,298 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Loads of graves
    Set on both sides of the road, and if you do not mind walking on glass floor worth a visit. Lots of steps to go down to see almost the same thing in each place. Worth a look but after a while you get a bit bored as it all looks the same.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 20, 2024
  • PCGG
    Italy93 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    It's worth it... when it's cooler
    Interesting visit of the catacombs of St. Paul, preserved very well and enclosed in a park to be visited according to a guided tour. Not being very deep, in August it is very hot even underground. Probably appreciated more in another period
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written August 26, 2024
  • Manuito
    117 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting but repetitive
    St. Paul's Catacombs in Mdina are worth visiting, especially if you’re interested in Malta’s ancient history. The site is only a 10-minute walk from the public parking areas, making it convenient to include in your visit to Mdina. However, after seeing a couple of catacombs, the experience does become somewhat repetitive. Despite this, it's still a fascinating glimpse into early Christian burial practices and worth a visit if you have the time.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written September 1, 2024
  • Orazione73
    Ferrara, Italy2,824 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not for everyone
    Interesting archaeological site located in the center of Rabat. After paying for the tickets, the first part of the visit begins with a room in which some artifacts found at the site and some burials are exhibited. In the outer courtyard there are accesses to the proto-Christian catacombs consisting mainly of two main halls and numerous tunnels and secondary cells. The underground tour is not suitable for everyone as the passages are narrow and dimly lit, there are completely no signs so it is easy to get lost and the heat is suffocating. Better to visit them out of season.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 15, 2024
  • Amy M
    Berkhamsted, United Kingdom12 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting
    Very fascinating location, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to explore. I would also suggest going as early as possible, or towards the end of the day to avoid the crowds - not one for anybody who suffers with being in enclosed small spaces! It would also not be appropriate for anybody with mobility issues, as there are quite steep steps into each catacomb (although there are information points dotted around that are easily accessible, so you can still learn about the history).
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written September 17, 2024
  • Ian0090
    Bournemouth, United Kingdom34 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Shame that we did not have a guided tour
    Very interesting visitors’ centre at the beginning of the visit to explain Roman burial practices with a few exhibits on show. The site is divided into two by a road, which you cross to get to further and more numerous catacombs. I was surprised by a general lack of decoration/frescoes/carving especially after visiting the catacombs on the Appian Way outside Rome. Perhaps they have eroded over time or been removed to another location. Shame that we did not have a guide, as eventually going up and down the stairs of so many similar tombs became repetitive. Could the site not issue a leaflet with a route to the more interesting areas? One morphed into another and eventually we lost the inclination to see them all.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written September 20, 2024
  • cgaly
    Mainz, Germany27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Impressive and huge catacombs with a nice museum
    Before starting the visit to the catacombs, there is a museum with interesting information on funerary traditions in Ancient Rome. More rooms with very interesting information are sparsed around the site, between the entrance to different catacombs. I found them not only interesting, but also a nice break from the many catacombs. These catacombs are huge and include Cristian, pagan and Jewish burial sites. The site is split into two areas, and you need to cross the street to reach the second one. Inside the catacombs it gets very humid and space is tight. You need to hold yourself to the handrails, and better not to wear sandals. There are notes about the catacombs and peculiarities of the ones you’re visiting. Some are bigger and ramifications more than others, and you may have to squat down into smaller passages.
    Visited October 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written October 18, 2024
  • Belfasttravelguy
    Belfast, United Kingdom2,157 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Average
    Maybe it was just the mood I was in on this particular day but this wasn’t really my cup of tea. It just felt like people were wandering aimlessly underground in the dark without really understanding what we were looking at. I felt a bit claustrophobic. Entrance fee was €6 for an adult. I must have stayed for about ten minutes and decided that I’d had enough. Maybe having a tour guide with some explanations might have made me more interested.
    Visited October 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written October 27, 2024
  • bikerbabe2014
    Dublin, Ireland344 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Step back in time
    Have a read of the info in the museum before your visit as there is no literature within the catacombs. Sturdy shoes would be a benefit as you travel through restricted tunnels and view the catacombs of Christian, Jewish and pagan burials. Very interesting.
    Visited November 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written November 20, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,619 reviews
Excellent
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VRomeijn
Amsterdam, The Netherlands179 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
We enjoyed visiting St. Paul's Catacombs. A visit to the catacombs starts in a little museum located just after the entrance. The museum provides some exhibits with important information on the catacombs, and it does this in a nice and accessible way.

The catacombs themselves are interesting to visit. Obviously you have to be prepared to spend some time in the very narrow spaces of the catacombs, but if this isn't an issue for you, wandering through the catacombs will likely be a captivating experience for you.

I can't really fault the museum for this considering the entrance fee, but aside from the museum, the information provided on the catacombs themselves is quite sparse. I can imagine guided tours being logistically impossible, and I think it's reasonable to assume that having experts walk around the catacombs at all times is also unrealistic, but we would have, for example, appreciated a bit more information on the signs. Overall, an experience that is adequate but simultaneously leaves you wanting a bit more.
Written December 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Magnumbazzer
Burgess Hill, UK372 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Couples
There is an informative museum at the beginning of the tour which gives you a full understanding of the underground catacombs you’re about to visit, so it’s well worth spending a bit of time there reading the various displays. The catacombs are, to say the very least, extensive. We thought we’d finished only to discover that you then cross the road where there are even more. So many in fact, that in the end it did get a bit samey and we cut out probably the last third or so. But by that time we had a really good understanding of what they were, why they existed and the important work that’s been going on preserving them for future generations.

The catacombs are down teeny steps, seriously narrow, low ceilinged, very dark in places and definitely claustrophobic if you’re that way inclined. Nevertheless, they’re definitely recommended as something different – very different…
Written December 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

C H
Vienna, Austria320 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
Basically, the catacombs are extremely fascinating and the audio guide - which is only available in English or Maltese - is well designed. The size of the area is also remarkable. Unfortunately, it was very hot during our visit and the humidity was very high. As a result, it was hotter/much more humid in the catacombs than outside, which unfortunately made the visit very unpleasant and we had to cut it short.
Google
Written September 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark2879
Grays Thurrock, UK19 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Solo
I visited on my own as my wife preferred sitting in Valletta drinking coffee. I got the bus from Valletta bus station (no 52) and it took about 45/50mins to get to Rabat. Bus was €2 each way (€4 in total)

I used my Google maps to get to the Catacombs which took about 8 minutes walking. The entry fee was €6 which I thought was fair.

The museum display is very interesting and it was nice to immerse myself for an hour or so.

The Catacombs are amazing & incredible to think about the religious beliefs and culture of our ancestors. Some of the Catacombs are better than others and these are labelled by a display on the outside.

People have mentioned in reviews about lack of labelling, I just took a picture before going down into the Catacomb.

Took me about 2 to 2.5 hours to wander round and once I was done I returned back to Vallarta by bus again about 45/50mins.

In total I think I was gone for about 4 hours so keep that in mind as I can’t see how you’d be able to make a day of it.

Would recommend.
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Linsey A
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023
A great place to visit, the WWII shelters and the catacombs are so interesting as is the small museum it is attached to especially as the entrance fee is only 6 euros. There is also a restaurant outside in the middle where you can sit in a pretty garden and have an incredible pizza. Well worth the short walk from Mdina
Written July 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CheekyLondon
Southend-on-Sea, UK1,648 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
A fascinating place where you descend to see the ancient burial places. There are steps and a handrail in all places, so you feel safe. There are two parts to the catacombs. As you walk away from Rabat centre towards the catacombs, there are two sets - one on the left and one on the right. Both are interesting but, if you want an overview and to see the most extensive ones, go to the ones on the left as these are bigger and more interesting. We bought a combined ticket for Euros 20 and this included the catacombs, the sightseeing tourist train ride, the Roman Museum and the National Museum. Good value for money!
Written June 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cawap68
Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain693 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 • Couples
Apart from the impressiveness of these places, their symbolism is not far behind. Pope John Paul II prayed in this cave, which speaks volumes of how important it is. The route is not long, only the passageways and tunnels of the catacombs are narrow, but not overwhelmed. I recommend renting the audio guide. The tour is complemented by a museum on the upper floors. It is a good stop before starting the visit to the great Mdina.
Automatically translated
Written January 12, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jörn K
Donaueschingen, Germany70 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
The catacombs are very interesting. Before you can enter the catacombs, you pass through a museum where a lot of interesting things are on display. There are various exhibits on display, such as skeletons of small children, who used to have a higher mortality rate, and various grave goods and so on. The graves were used before Roman times. Different religions and nationalities were buried in these graves. I found it very worth seeing and very interesting, especially when you look at what the cult of the dead was like at that time and compare it with our time.
Google
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

annieok2014
Bergamo, Italy5,657 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Family
The presence and location of most of the Catacombs of São Paulo were already known in the mid-17th century but it was not until the late 1800s that the main catacomb began to be cleaned and inspected.
In ancient times the area was located just outside the city walls; the first use of the site took place about the sixth century BC by the Phoenicians as a large quarry while the first cemetery was established during the fourth or third century BC.
Most catacombs are equipped with a fiberglass walkway and a sensor-activated lighting system.
The Visitor Centre provides information, short videos and an extensive exhibition.
Automatically translated
Written November 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

charalabos
Marmari, Greece120 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
6 euros per person "thrown away" to see 10 minutes a small area without lighting, which was the catacombs of the Apostle Paul. I will agree with the reviews that talked about the wonderful cafes on the same road on the way. Tour the very beautiful city of Mdina and not you miss absolutely nothing to see the catacombs.
Google
Written November 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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St Paul's Catacombs, Rabat

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