St Paul's Catacombs

St Paul's Catacombs lie under the Hal Bajjada area of Rabat, a short walk from the walls of Mdina. They formed part of a large cemetery just outside the ancient city of Melite. Heritage Malta, which runs the site, says the cemetery was in use from at least the 3rd or 4th century BC and that the catacombs served as burial places up to the 7th, and possibly the 8th, century AD.

The area holds more than 30 hypogea (underground burial complexes). The main complex in the St Paul's cluster is a maze of passages and tombs covering over 2,000 square metres. You move through narrow rock-cut corridors with burial chambers opening off both sides. Around the 13th century part of the site was re-cut as a Christian shrine and decorated with murals. The site was cleared and investigated in 1894 by Dr A.A. Caruana.

Visiting the catacombs

As of November 2026, Heritage Malta lists adult tickets at EUR 6, with EUR 4.50 for seniors (60+), youths (12 to 17) and students, EUR 3.50 for children aged 6 to 11, and free entry for infants. From 1 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 the site is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, with last admission 30 minutes before closing. It closes on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January; hours change with the season. Audio guides are available in Maltese, English and Spanish, and there is a gift shop and lockers on site.

• Several hypogea above the main complex can be entered from the open-air paths, so allow time for those too.
• Pair the visit with the Domus Romana and St Paul's Cathedral in Mdina, all within walking distance.
• For more Maltese underground history, the prehistoric Hal Saflieni Hypogeum needs booking well in advance.

The passages are low and uneven in places, so wear shoes with grip and expect to stoop. People who dislike tight spaces can stay in the larger chambers. Heritage Malta suggests one to two hours for a full visit.