Start of Xemxija Hill Heritage Walk — Attraction in Saint Paul's Bay

Xemxija Hill Heritage Trail (Start of Xemxija Hill Hike, Malta) area in St. Paul’s Bay is an open-air museum of prehistoric, Punic, Roman, and medieval remains. If you're starting the Xemxija Heritage Trail , here’s what you’ll find: Prehistoric & Ancient Sites Cart Ruts (Ancient Tracks) – Mysterious parallel grooves carved into rock, possibly used for transporting goods (Bronze Age, ~2000 BCE). Megalithic Dolmen – A small chambered tomb (likely used for burials). Punic-Roman Tombs – Rock-cut burial chambers from Malta’s Phoenician & Roman periods (500 BCE–400 AD). Roman Apiaries (Beehive Carvings) – Circular holes in cliffs where bees were kept for honey. Medieval & Historic Features Chapel of St. Paul (15th Century) – A tiny medieval chapel linked to St. Paul’s shipwreck legend. British-era Military Installations – WWII-era pillbox bunkers (part of Malta’s coastal defenses). Natural Highlights Carob Tree (Siġra) – One of Malta’s oldest trees (~1,000 years old). Views of St. Paul’s Bay & Mistra Valley – Stunning coastal scenery. Trail Info Difficulty: Easy to moderate (rocky paths). Duration: ~1.5 hours (loop trail). Best Time: Early morning or sunset (avoid midday heat). Parking: Free near the Xemxija...

The first section of the trail is fantastic. Lots of information signs for both the built heritage and natural flora. The archaeological sites have been well managed and/or restored. I particularly loved the apiaries and the huge carob tree which is over 1000 years old. Here you have wonderful views of the landscape below. If you keep a look out you'll see old cart ruts in the road further on up. Near the top and to right hand side follow the signs for the trail and discover a grain silo, a traditional farm cottage and some large cave dwellings. I really don't recommend going further along the trail as marked on Google maps. The Roman road disappears and to get to the further apiary that you see in the distance is an almost impossible task involving scrambling and walking through swampland. Keep to the start of the trail or adventure along the obvious road. My only issue was the amount of dog poop, but just watch your step and you'll have a...

A spectacular heritage trail that doesn't appear in any guide book. It's free with some basic signs to explain the history of the place. The walk took around an hour and in that time you get to see/touch and walk amongst neolithic buildings, a roman road, ancient cart tracks as well as sit beside/under the shade of a 1000+ year old carob tree. Not entire sure why these things are not properly protected/ fenced off given their age but it was awe inspiring to walk into thousand years old cave and see the clear signs of its use (best to wear a hat because ceiling is low). Tips: wear sturdy shoes, wear a hat and bring plenty of water - there are no shops in the area, it's properly remote. Bring a torch, there are so many caves to explore with markings and signs of use. Visited early July 2023 around 3 in the afternoon and we were the only people there. Walk took just over an hour but you can easily spend...