Sliema & St Julian’s
Sliema and St Julian’s: the back story
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Anton Zelenov · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Sliema and St Julian’s: the back story
Sliema and St Julian’s are where most visitors stay: a long sea front from Tigné Point to Spinola Bay and St George’s Bay. Four MICHELIN-starred restaurants are here: Fernandõ and Le GV in Sliema, and Rosamì at Balluta Bay (MICHELIN Guide Malta 2026 (guide.michelin.com, read 25 October 2026)).
Walk the front in the evening, swim from the rocks in summer, and take the ferry to Valletta for the day.
Take the ferry from the Strand to Valletta: it is quicker than the road.
Our advice: stay in Sliema for the ferry, St Julian’s for the nights out.
Why it's on our list
- The sea front
- Paceville
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Sliema and St Julian’s: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Sliema and St Julian’s: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest ferry landing
- Sliema ferry (The Strand)Harbour ferries500 m6 min walk
Key sights
- Spinola Bay600 mWalk 8 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 6 min
- St John’s Co-Cathedral1.9 kmWalk 24 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Upper Barrakka Gardens2.2 kmWalk 27 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Fort St Angelo2.8 kmWalk 34 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum4.8 kmCycle 19 minCar or taxi 15 min
- Malta International Airport7.3 kmCycle 29 minCar or taxi 20 min
- Marsaxlokk8.8 kmCycle 35 minCar or taxi 23 min
- Mdina9.5 kmCycle 38 minCar or taxi 24 min
- Golden Bay14 kmCar or taxi 34 min
- Ċirkewwa (Gozo ferry)18 kmCar or taxi 40 min