Visit Sliema

A seafront promenade running for kilometres, rock platforms where you swim right in town and, across the water, the walls of Valletta a few minutes away by ferry: Sliema is the most practical base for exploring Malta without a car.

Why stay in Sliema rather than elsewhere?

Sliema is a residential and shopping town on Malta's north-east coast, linked to Valletta by a ferry that crosses Marsamxett Harbour in about ten minutes. Boat trips to Comino and harbour cruises leave from its quay, which makes it a car-free base.

Sliema's must-sees

Few monuments, but a seafront that opens onto the whole of Valletta's harbour.

Ferry to Valletta

The Marsamxett ferry drops you at the foot of the capital's walls in about ten minutes, with a view of the bastions you cannot get by road.

Fort Tigné

Built by the Knights of St John in the late eighteenth century, this polygonal fort guards the mouth of Marsamxett Harbour opposite Fort St Elmo.

St Julian's Tower

A small watchtower built by the Knights in the seventeenth century on Tower Road, it gave its name to the promenade running along Sliema's coast.

Two harbours cruise

From The Strand, boats loop around Marsamxett then the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities, an efficient way to grasp the fortified geography of the bay.

How is Sliema laid out?

The Strand and the ferry quay

On the Marsamxett Harbour side, The Strand is the quay for the Valletta ferry, harbour cruises and excursion boats to Comino and the Blue Lagoon. The regular ferry takes about ten minutes and runs all day, sparing you the traffic on the harbour road. Excursion companies sell tickets right on the quay, but in July and August it is worth booking Comino the day before. In the evening, the view of the floodlit walls of the capital is reason enough for a stroll.

Tower Road and the rock platforms

On the open-sea side, Tower Road follows the coast for about two kilometres to St Julian's. Sliema has no sandy beach: you swim from cut rock platforms with ladders into the water, notably at Exiles and Qui-Si-Sana. The water is deep straight away, so this suits confident swimmers. Comfortable swimming runs from June to October, with the sea staying warm until late September. On days of north-easterly wind red flags are common: give it a miss without arguing.

Tigné Point and the northern tip

At the end of the peninsula, Tigné Point mixes a recent shopping centre, apartments and military remains from the time of the Knights and then the British. It is the quietest corner in the evening, looking straight at Valletta and Fort St Elmo across the channel. Allow an hour on foot to reach St Julian's and Spinola Bay following the whole shoreline. For the rest of the island, Mdina, the southern cliffs or Gozo, the Malta page covers distances and connections.

Frequently asked questions about Sliema

Sliema or Valletta: where to stay on a first trip to Malta?
Sliema has more accommodation, restaurants open late and swimming on the doorstep, Valletta more charm and quiet evenings. With the ten-minute ferry, staying in Sliema costs you nothing: it is the best compromise for a week-long stay.
Can you swim in Sliema without a sandy beach?
Yes, from the fitted rock platforms along Tower Road, with ladders and small paying lidos. The water is clear but deep from the start. For sand, head to the beaches in the north of the island, such as Mellieħa, about an hour by bus.
Which boat goes from Sliema to Comino and the Blue Lagoon?
Several companies leave The Strand in the morning and return in the late afternoon, sometimes stopping at the Comino caves. In summer the lagoon is packed between 11 am and 3 pm: take the first departure or go at the end of the season.
Does the Sliema to Valletta ferry run in the evening?
Yes, it runs from early morning into the evening, with longer hours in summer. Check the time of the last crossing on site, because in rough seas the service can be suspended and you then need to go round by bus or taxi.
How many days should you spend in Sliema?
Sliema itself takes half a day, but it works as a base: five to seven nights let you see Valletta, Mdina, the Three Cities, Comino and Gozo while keeping time for swimming off the rocks.

Plan your trip to Sliema

Build your day-by-day itinerary and manage budget, bookings and packing in PlanTripNow.
Aperçu de l'application PlanTripNow