St. Paul's Church
St. Paul's Church
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
169 within 3 miles
Attractions
349 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
175 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
77
Average
40
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Rebecca-Bonnici
Malta41 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Beautiful in every single way. If you're a culture junkie or in love with history then this is for you. Its very popular amongst the locals and accesible to all types of people. It has a fun and pleasurable atmosphere that you'll sure pick upon and enjoy. If you visit in the beginning of July you're in luck because every year the feast of Saint Paul is celebrated and it will surely give you an experience you'll never forget!! Food is delicious and tasty and there's a variety of different restaurants of your choice too:)
Written July 27, 2016
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.
Maryjo0929
Melbourne, Australia357 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
Absolutely love this church especially during Festa time in July each year. The decorations are a must to see and also the religious celebrations that happen during the week of the Festa inside the church. I still miss hearing the church bells !!
Written November 19, 2014
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.
Anita-Derby
Derby, UK40 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
We came across this church by accident whilst walking round Rabat and were welcomed in and asked if we would mind looking round the church itself before being shown into the grotto. The church is highly decorated and beautiful. We were then led down the stairs to the grotto where St Paul was held after he was shipwrecked on Malta on his way to stand trial in Rome. This tiny cave hewn from the rock has a statue of St Paul and gifts and photos from visiting Popes. It was awesome to think you were in the same tiny cell where St Paul sat. Outside the grotto was another room where prisoners were held by the Romans with statues of St Paul and St Luke; this is where St Paul was said to have converted the governer to Christianity and made him a Bishop.
Written November 1, 2012
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.
Cat C
Bordeaux, France46 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
A particular maltese church in a full baroque style. Take time to come in...very spectacular decoration
Written May 19, 2016
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.
Thomas M
Offenbach, Germany7,146 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
St. Paul's Collegiate Church (not to be confused with the more spectacular St. Paul's Cathedral in nearby Mdina) is a pleasant, unassuming Baroque church in the heart of Rabat, which you should pay a visit to if you've traveled all the way to Mdina (which is about a 10 minute walk away). These are neighboring towns.
In this case, the church is only an add-on to the more important attraction below - the Grotto of St. Paul, where the follower of Jesus Christ was incarcerated for a while en route to being tried in Rome - allegedly. Much of the significance of this place depends on your beliefs. If you're not religious, the small krypta-like grotto with its three altars and the small marble figure of St. Paul may not mean much to you. I still think it's worth the visit.
The actual Baroque church was created between 1664–1683, based on plans by the architect Lorenzo Gafà, who also designed the Mdina St. Paul's - adding to the confusion. However, it is nowhere near as splendid as that cathedral, although attractive in its own, modest right. You first enter the grotto after getting you ticket and visit the church on the way out.
Nothing spectacular, but nothing terribly boring here either. See my photos for reference.
In this case, the church is only an add-on to the more important attraction below - the Grotto of St. Paul, where the follower of Jesus Christ was incarcerated for a while en route to being tried in Rome - allegedly. Much of the significance of this place depends on your beliefs. If you're not religious, the small krypta-like grotto with its three altars and the small marble figure of St. Paul may not mean much to you. I still think it's worth the visit.
The actual Baroque church was created between 1664–1683, based on plans by the architect Lorenzo Gafà, who also designed the Mdina St. Paul's - adding to the confusion. However, it is nowhere near as splendid as that cathedral, although attractive in its own, modest right. You first enter the grotto after getting you ticket and visit the church on the way out.
Nothing spectacular, but nothing terribly boring here either. See my photos for reference.
Written March 27, 2015
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.
Lisamarie L
Madison, WI926 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
We mainly came to see the grotto where St. Paul stayed, but the church was lovely as well. You also get to see several sites with your ticket (I'm assuming the church itself is free) - the grotto, catacombs, old bomb shelters and the museum. We didn't spend a lot of time here though, amidst the other attractions - just long enough to say a prayer in the chapel. The outside square is lovely, though, and there are also some plaques commemorating visits from Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. I also enjoyed the pillar in the courtyard with the verses from Acts pertaining to Malta translated in several languages.
Written December 15, 2014
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.
Richard T
Godalming, UK764 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
Sadly, they open to their convenience and not for visitors.
There is a four hour closed period following mid-day, It looks so good from outside.
There is a four hour closed period following mid-day, It looks so good from outside.
Written April 5, 2014
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.
AussiesInMorton
Melbourne, Australia51 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
The Church is lovely and well worth a visit, but the grotto and small adjacent chapel (?) are really fascinating. Believed to be where St. Paul lived for several months and also where he baptised some of the first Maltese Christians, it really is quite significant and remarkable. The gentleman that offers the short guided tour is very knowledgeable.
Written September 18, 2012
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.
BTay-Traveler
Dallas, TX347 contributions
Sep 2019
A visit to Rabat and to St. Paul's Church is a must in our opinion. You can VERY easily walk to Rabat from Mdina. The town itself is also quite interesting, so you could easily spend a couple of hours here walking around just looking at all of the gorgeous architecture.
Written October 2, 2019
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.
VW49
Ashburn, VA6,022 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
The main church was not open, so our visit to St Paul's Church was limited to the Sanctuary of St. Publius (on the right side of the church) which you enter from St Paul's Grotto (admission fee required). Without fee, you still can also get a glimpse of the Sanctuary/chapel from the doorway on the right side as you face the church. The Sanctuary has beautiful paintings, statues, high ceiling dome and ornate altar.
Written July 25, 2019
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.
We will be on a cruise boat at the time of our visit to Malta, St Paul’s is a must see; would it be possible to do this excursion & be back in time for the boat? Not sure how much time to allow for disembarking, but we need to be back on board by 17h00. Thx
Written April 21, 2019
What hours are the church and grotto open, specifically for Thursday, June 11, 2015?
Written February 3, 2015
he church is part of the Winacourt Museum complex and, under normal circumstances, is open from 9.30 to 1700 every day, with last admission at 16.00. However, with so much to see, and an excellent restaurant, plan for a 2 t 3 hour visit if you want to see everything at your leisure. Parking is almost impossible in the near to suare location but there is usually room on street just a few minutes walk away and, if you only want a coffee during your visit then that is also available. If you wish to confirm anything at Wignacourt then their telephone number is Tel: 2749 4905
The actual Address is Wignacourt Museum, Parish Sqr, College Str,Rabat RBT 1400
hope you enjoy the visit
Written February 3, 2015
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing