The Top 4 Things to Do in Sliema, Malta

The town of Sliema, Malta was once a quiet fisherman’s village, which gained popularity as a summer resort for Valletta residents during the second half of the 19th Century. While the word ‘Sliema’ means peace in Maltese, the town has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Nowadays, Sliema is one of the top commercial districts in Malta, where all the leading designer shopping outlets, restaurants and cafés can be found. The town earned its stellar reputation during the British period in Malta, when it became renowned as the upper-class’ locality of choice.

Let us take you through these four things to do in Sliema during your holiday in Malta. Which will you be adding to your Malta to-do list?

The Sliema promenade is a 2km seaside walk, starting from the tip of ‘Qui-Si-Sana’ and ending in the nearby town of St Julian’s. Bring your running shoes for a morning jog by the sea, then stop for a coffee or freshly-pressed juice from one of the cafés and ‘Gabbanas’ (kiosks) lining the promenade. On your way back to your Sliema hotel, take a break at one of the many swimming spots found along the way.

The promenade is also an ideal place to take a leisurely sunset stroll. During your walk, you will notice a number of historical buildings, including a British military installation, which is now a restaurant known as Il-Fortizza (The Fortress), one of Grandmaster De Redin’s 17th century coastal watchtowers, a cluster of Art-Deco terraced townhouses and an impressive neo-gothic Carmelite church in Balluta.

There are so many things to do in Malta that it might sometimes feel overwhelming. We all need a little break, don’t we? The great news is, if you’re staying in Sliema, you can meander around the old streets and still come across beautiful buildings and picture-worthy views. You will likely notice that many Sliema streets are named after British governors or places, including Norfolk Street, Prince of Wales Road, Windsor Terrace, Graham Street, Milner Street and Fort Cambridge.

Sliema is undoubtedly the best place for shopping in Malta. The best brands and designer outlets are concentrated in the town centre and at The Point, the island’s largest shopping mall. As always, you’re never far away from the island’s rich history as The Point is located within the grounds of the former British Military base, Tigne Barracks. Nowadays, Tigne Point is a multifunctional space consisting of luxurious apartments, shops, restaurants and hi-tech offices.

As the island’s largest retail centre, The Point is a popular meeting point for both locals and tourists to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in Sliema. When visiting you will notice that the pedestrian bridge leading to The Point is embellished with loads of small love padlocks, imitating the same concept of Paris’s Pont Des Arts. From the bridge, you will also be able to access the sea underneath the Point, and enjoy the best view of Valletta from the whole island!

The ferry boat from Sliema to Valletta is both a convenient and enjoyable way to travel between these two prominent locations. The roads can become quite busy during the rush hour, as many people make their way to Sliema for the working day. The Sliema ferry service allows you to beat the traffic and travel in style, while enjoying a view of the majestic Marsamxett Harbour, Manoel Island and the Valletta bastions.