On Malta’s northwest coast is Sliema, considered the hub of the island and one of the most cosmopolitan and modern cities in the country. Located between Valletta and St Julian’s, Sliema was once a small fishing village but has now become one of Malta’s most densely populated centres. Beyond its abundant entertainment, Sliema is a beautiful place to take it easy along the promenade, enjoy the beaches and take in the breathtaking panoramic views of Valletta.
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Things to do in Sliema, Malta
Beaches in Sliema, Malta
Balluta
Only at low tide can you enjoy the sand of this beautiful beach. The rest of the coastline is made up of soft rocky formations, where people usually spend the day enjoying the Maltese coast. In addition, this beach is completely surrounded by restaurants and cafes serving the best Italian-style coffees.
Balluta Bay
This is the main beach in the town and stretches all the way to St Julian’s. It is completely rocky except for a very small cove which you can get to via a flight of stone steps. This beach is in front of Sliema’s main church, therefore creating a contrasting landscape. It is a rocky beach with crystal clear blue waters where you can admire the scenery and relax for hours on end.
Fond Ghadir
This is Sliema’s largest and most central beach. It also features the characteristic natural pools carved into the rock, directly connected to the sea. The beach is made up of large flat rocks typical of Malta where you can relax and sunbathe.
Sliema beaches @kristina_hudecova 
Sliema Promenade @maarclopez3
Seaside Promenade
The promenade is one of the most iconic and popular places in Sliema. Taking a leisurely stroll along the promenade is a must-do. It is also very popular to take one of the ferries across to Valletta, which is just in front of the promenade and takes just a few minutes.
Strolling through the streets of Sliema
Sliema’s narrow streets are often less touristy, with these little alleys retaining the old charm of the town. In contrast to the modern hustle and bustle, Sliema is full of religious buildings that give the town a very authentic feel. You can take a tour of buildings such as the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, the Church of Jesus of Nazareth, Stella Maris Church and the Sacred Heart Parish Church, all of which are in the heart of the city,
Visiting the Independence Garden
The Independence Garden is a park located in the north of Sliema. The garden is close to the beach and is a very pleasant space with a picnic area. In the surrounding area there are numerous benches and planters that provide a pleasant break for those walking along the promenade.
The most characteristic symbol of Independence Garden is the statue of the giant cat. This statue is a work by Mattew Pandolfini, who made it so that artists could draw, paint or colour it as they wished.
Fort Tigné
Fort Tigné was built by the Order of St. John, and is one of the oldest polygonal forts in the world. Stretching across the entire harbour area, you should definitely make a stop at this point in the city, and enjoy the surrounding area.
Shopping in Sliema, Malta
Sliema is the place to go shopping in Malta, as many of the most recognised and popular brands have shops in this small town. On Tower Road, you’ll find shops selling all the major luxury fashion brands. This area is the shopping centre of Malta. However, along Bisazza Road you will find the smaller and most authentic shops in the city and in Malta. Here you will discover the most artisanal and local products of Sliema.
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Things to see in and around Sliema
Valletta
Just opposite Sliema, a 10-minute ferry ride away, is Valletta, the small capital of Malta. This beautiful walled city is famous for its palaces and monumental churches, as well as its island atmosphere. Valletta has some of the best sunsets in the Mediterranean, so this city is a must on your visit to Malta. Find out what else you can see in Valletta by reading our post: What to do and see in Valletta Malta.
St. Julian’s
This town has a wide range of hotels and is almost exclusively dedicated to leisure and nightlife. St Julian’s is also home to historic buildings, such as the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the seafront of Balluta Bay. St Julian’s is also home to one of Malta’s few sandy beaches: St George Bay. It is a lively area and perfect for a sunny day.
What to see in Sliema in one day?
With one day in Sliema you can enjoy its main attractions and points of interest by spending the morning on one of its beaches, strolling along its promenade, and wandering through its narrow streets and shops. Due to its small size, in one day you can:
- Go to the beaches of Sliema
- Stroll along Sliema’s Promenade
- Explore the backstreets of Sliema
- Relax in The Independence Garden
- See the Tower and Fort Tigné
- Do some shopping in the city
What to see in Sliema in two days?
Two days will give you more than enough time to get to know the city and its lively Maltese atmosphere. If you stay in Sliema for two days you can take the opportunity to visit one of its neighbouring cities such as Valletta or St Julian’s.
Tips for your trip to Sliema, Malta
- Sliema has one of the largest selections of hotels on the island, making it easy to find cheap accommodation.
- Sliema is very well connected to the rest of Malta, in fact all city buses stop in Sliema.
- It is common to tip in restaurants, usually between 5% and 10% of the bill.
- As a Mediterranean island, Malta’s climate is generally mild most of the year, so don’t forget to bring cool clothes and a swimming costume.
- Plan your travel itinerary with the Passporter App and discover the joy of having your route plan organised on your mobile.
Frequently asked questions about your trip to Sliema, Malta
Malta International Airport is located 10.5 kilometres from Sliema. The journey to the area takes about 20 minutes.
Being a small city, it is very easy to get around on foot. Sliema is well connected to the rest of Malta. There are many bus routes to the main tourist attractions, with a bus to Valletta every 10 minutes.
Sliema has one of the largest selections of hotels on the island, so most travellers tend to stay in this city. Here are of some of the best rated hotels in the city, with a wide range of prices – take a look and choose your favourite!
– 1926 Hotel & SPA
– Palazzo Violetta Boutique
– Mr Todd Hotel
– Waterfront
– Two Pillows Boutique Hostel
The choice of food in this city is also very wide, so you will find a wide range of options to choose from. Here is a list of some of the top local restaurants in the city, so you won’t miss a thing.
– Il-Merill
– Rubino
– Legligin
– Palazzo Preca
– Noni
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