Visit the Independence Gardens in Sliema

Sliema rarely stands still. The promenade is busy with walkers, cafés fill throughout the day and the streets behind the seafront are home to shops, offices and restaurants. Yet along this lively stretch of coast, Independence Gardens in Sliema offers somewhere to slow the pace.

Set beside the promenade between Sliema and St Julian’s, the gardens combine greenery, shaded seating, children’s play areas and views across the water. Small fishing boats sit in the bay below while locals stop for a chat, families pass through with children and the garden’s resident cats settle into their shaded shelters.

For visitors searching for free things to do in Sliema, it is an easy place to add to a walk along the seafront without needing to plan an entire day around it.

The gardens are a public recreational space along Sliema’s coastal promenade.

Part of their appeal comes from the contrast with the streets around them. Sliema is one of Malta’s busiest localities, combining residential areas, shopping, business and entertainment. Step into the gardens and the mood becomes noticeably calmer.

Paths wind through the greenery, benches face the sea and there is enough space to stop for a while rather than simply continue along the promenade.

It is this simplicity that makes the Independence Gardens appealing. There is no entrance fee or complicated itinerary. You can walk through in a few minutes or find a bench and stay much longer.

One of the first things many visitors notice is the cats.

The gardens are home to a well cared for feline community, with local residents providing handmade shelters, food and blankets in a shaded part of the park. They have become part of the character of the Independence Gardens, and cat lovers may find themselves spending longer here than originally planned.

Continue through the gardens and you will reach a children’s playground, giving younger visitors somewhere to burn off some energy while adults enjoy the surroundings.

For families looking for things to do in Sliema with kids, the combination of playground, open space and seafront location makes this an easy addition to a day around the area.

The sea is never far away.

From the shaded benches, you can look towards the small boats in the bay and watch people moving along the promenade without feeling caught up in its busier rhythm.

During Malta’s warmer months, the coast below the gardens also becomes part of the experience. Locals head down towards the sea for a swim and kiosks in the area provide somewhere to pick up a refreshing drink before or afterwards.

There is something pleasantly uncomplicated about it. Sit for a while, watch the water and decide what to do next when you are ready.

A visit to the gardens fits naturally into a longer walk along Sliema’s waterfront.

Rather than treating the park as a destination that requires a separate journey, include it while exploring the promenade between Sliema and St Julian’s. You can stop for a rest, let children use the playground or simply take a break from the sun before continuing along the coast.

This is also one of the easiest things to do in Sliema when you have an hour or two without a fixed plan.

Guests staying at AX The Palace or AX The Victoria Hotel are well placed for exploring Sliema on foot, making the gardens a simple stop during a day spent around the town and seafront.

Not every travel experience needs to be a major attraction.

Sometimes a park bench overlooking the sea is exactly what a busy day needs.

Families can make use of the playground, cat lovers can meet the garden’s familiar residents and walkers can stop before continuing along the promenade. During summer, the possibility of going for a swim below the gardens adds another reason to linger.

For anyone searching for free things to do in Sliema, the gardens offer a small but very local glimpse of how residents use the seafront in everyday life.