MT
Sliema & St Julian’s
A lively seafront town with a long promenade and views across to Valletta
A lively seafront town with a long promenade and views across to Valletta
The promenade runs for several kilometres from Tigné Point to St Julian’s, with rocky swimming areas along the way.
Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0
A modern shopping and residential development surrounds the historic Fort Tigné, with views over Marsamxett Harbour to Valletta.
Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0
Between Sliema and Valletta, this small island holds Fort Manoel, built by the Knights in the 18th century.
Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0
Just north of Sliema, this small bay in St Julian’s is lined with restaurants and fishing boats.
Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try pastizzi, fresh fish, bragioli (beef olives) and Maltese wines.
The promenade and St Julian’s offer everything from cafés to fine dining.
Malta International Airport is about 20–30 minutes by road from most towns. Buses and ride-hailing apps cover the main island.
Ferries cross to Valletta in about 10 minutes, and harbour cruises and Comino trips leave from the Sliema waterfront.
Malta uses the euro (€). English is widely spoken, and buses run across the islands.
Prices are approximate; check current rates.
Seafront and harbour.
Walk the promenade, swim from the rocks and watch sunset over Valletta from Tigné Point.
Take the ferry to Valletta, or a boat trip to Comino.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Malta is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
The ferry is the fastest way to Valletta.
Use lidos or ladders; rocks can be sharp.
Roads are congested; walk or use the ferry.
St Julian’s and Paceville are the nightlife hubs.
Quick answers for planning time in Sliema.
Mostly rocky shores and lidos; sandy beaches are elsewhere in Malta.
By ferry in about 10 minutes.
Yes, for hotels, restaurants and transport links.
About 20–30 minutes by road.
April to June and September to October.
English is an official language, but translation helps with Maltese signs.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Malta travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.