Sliema – What to do in Malta

The city of Sliema is located in the north-eastern part of the Maltese island and only a few minutes’ drive from the capital of Malta, Valletta. It is one of the busiest cities in Malta, as it comprises all the main elements of business, entertainment, nightlife and tourism. It has become an exciting place for tourists, offering a traditional city feel, with big city appeal. What is interesting about Sliema is this split personality, with tall modern buildings made up of offices, apartments and hotels, as opposed to the quaint traditional elements of the old buildings, the fort and the churches.

traditional sliema

Sliema was once a small fishing village, as were most of Malta’s coastal towns in ancient times, and played a crucial role in Malta’s history. During the Great Siege of 1565, Sliema was known as ‘il-Qortin’ and was used as a camp for Turkish troops led by Dragut. Dragut was eventually killed by a shelling raid from Fort St. Elmo across the port from Marsamxett, where Sliema is located. Fort Tigne was then developed by the Knights of St. John in the late 18th century and further developed by the British in later years. A major restoration and development plan is currently underway to restore the fort (one of many scattered along the Maltese coastline), as well as to build ultra-modern apartments, a square and a new shopping centre.

sliema today

Sliema is one of Malta’s main business centres, particularly when it comes to retail trade; and is today an important shopping and coffee center. It’s made up of some crowded shopping streets, along with one of Malta’s most established shopping malls, featuring every major brand name one can imagine, from popular high street names like Accessorise, M&S and Topshop, to designer labels like Maxmara. and Furla. Between the shops there are numerous cafes of all varieties, always full of people drinking wine or coffee.

Sliema Hotels and Restaurants

Tourism is another key element here for many reasons. Firstly, Sliema has a long coastline that allows for long walks, beaches and easy access. In fact, the many bus stops along the coast make it easy for anyone to get to and from any part of the island, on the famous and traditional Maltese yellow buses. The beautiful coastline is also home to resorts, public beaches, and several dive sites. The warmth of the Mediterranean Sea makes Sliema a unique city in both the summer and winter months. Sliema also accounts for a large part of Malta’s accommodation, where two 5* hotels can be found, one of which is the new luxury boutique hotel ‘The Palace’; seven 4* hotels including ‘The Victoria Hotel’, twelve 3* hotels, nine 2* hotels and eight guest houses!

In the evening, there are around 40 of the best restaurants in Malta to choose from, which will definitely ensure the perfect dining experience every time. These range from exclusive cafes, wine bars and takeaways to award-winning Mediterranean or Oriental cuisine. During the warmer months, tables extend out onto the street, allowing diners to enjoy ocean views and gentle breezes. Then the ice cream vendors begin to appear, scattered along the main streets and along the coast. As for entertainment and nightlife, there are more than 50 bars spread throughout the town, and ‘St. Julians’, the neighboring town, is within easy walking distance. This city is the main entertainment center of Malta and is made up of nightclubs, bars, cinemas and restaurants.

Whether you’re shopping, sunbathing, swimming, diving, dining or having a coffee or beer in the sun, Sliema has something for everyone. Therefore, when visiting Malta, we highly recommend including this unique city in your itinerary!

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