St Paul’s Catacombs

St Paul’s Catacombs offer a fascinating glimpse into Malta’s ancient history and burial traditions. The underground complex is extensive, well preserved and thoughtfully laid out, allowing visitors to explore different chambers and passageways safely. Informative panels explain the historical and cultural context clearly without overwhelming details. The atmosphere is quiet and impressive, making the visit both educational and memorable. A highly interesting site for history enthusiasts and anyone curious about Malta’s early civilizations.

We were there off season, so it was just me and my partner almost the whole time down there. It got a little creepy when we got further into the narrow tunnels, especially when we walked by the unlit chambers. Otherwise, very interesting historical place.

​💀 A Journey Underground: My Experience at St. Paul's Catacombs in Rabat ​If you are looking for an experience that combines history, spirituality, and a touch of mystery, the St. Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat are an essential stop during your trip to Malta. ​As soon as I entered, I immediately felt a sense of peace and solemnity. The entrance leads you into a vast subterranean complex, extending through a labyrinth of tunnels carved into the limestone rock. What struck me the most was the atmosphere: the Catacombs are cool and quiet, a stark contrast to the sun and the noise of life above ground in Rabat. ​I spent about an hour exploring the different sections, which were used as burial sites for pagans, Christians, and Jews between the 4th and 9th centuries AD. It's incredible to think that this place served as a meeting point for different cultures in such a remote era. ​The Catacombs are not rich in decoration as you might expect from other ancient sites, but their beauty lies in their authenticity and scale. I found the various niches and the triclinia (dining tables carved into the rock) where families held funeral wakes particularly interesting. ​A practical tip: the paths are well-lit, but I recommend comfortable shoes and perhaps a light jacket, as the internal temperature is significantly cooler. Also, it’s helpful to take advantage of the information panels or guides, because without the historical context, it’s easy to miss the true magnitude of the site. ​Overall, the St. Paul’s Catacombs are a unique and moving experience. It’s not a "quick" visit, but a deep dive into Malta's ancient history and the roots of Christianity on the island. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves history and archaeology.

Beautiful park with a selection of different catacombs you can descend into. I went right before closing around 4:30ish which I do recommend. The catacombs are narrow and I can't imagine what they're like when they're busy. There's one really big complex you can get lost in for a little while, the rest are all smaller and, sorry to say, more of the same. There are signs pointing out interesting features. Sometimes those features can be hard to find, but one must respect the history of this place. I really respect the signage in front of every catacomb. It has pictograms explaining which religions are represented underground, whether or not you'll find actual human remains (usually no, there's only one that I found that had bones exposed in them) how low the ceilings get and how many people are allowed in at a time. I can't tell you if that last bit gets monitored. I was there quite late so I imagine there's less supervision at that point. The park up top has several information points with video and/or audio explanation with interesting finds facts and fables. Informations is in Maltese and English. Admission is affordable and I'd say, def take some time for it if this is your jam. The catacombs are very impressive and its history is very interesting.

St. Paul’s Catacombs are a truly fascinating site, remarkably well preserved and steeped in history. Walking through the underground passages gives a real sense of the past, and the interpretive displays are excellent, making the visit both educational and engaging. It’s a perfect place to explore Malta’s early Christian heritage in a quiet, atmospheric setting. One of the most intriguing parts of the visit was discovering the communal burial chambers, where families were laid to rest together — a touching reminder of ancient traditions and beliefs. Allow at least two hours to fully appreciate the site and its historical significance. A must-see for history lovers!

We visited the catacombs during a recent trip and they are well worth visiting. It’s amazing the extent of the catacombs and how well they are being preserved and presented for you to see them. The visitor is well laid out and the catacombs are split over two sides of a road, with easy access between them both.

Strange to go back in time and walk around these Catacombs!! Very interesting & the Tour Guide was very good. I would def recommend visiting the Catacombs if you're in Malta.

Excellent place to visit. A mix of indoor and outdoor. It was an excellent insight into how a Roman occupied town (and prior to that) dealt with death and burials. The audio guidebook was definitely worth listening to. There were a lot of steps down and up, and very low ceilings to avoid (that being 6ft was not always straightforward). I can imagine that at a busy time (summer for example), it might prove frustrating as a number of the catacombs were one way down and back up the same way. Also some of the lights were on timers that were on occasions a little short timed. By the time of the 23rd catacomb,I was beginning to feel like I had seen it all, but some of the markings were interesting particularly on the latter catacombs - worth sticking it out.