This was my first inquiry in Google when we were planning our trip to Malta. Valletta was also part of the question, but I read that it was not so live during the evenings. Well let me tell you, Valletta is super live and it is totally worth staying there.
But today, we will focus on the two neighbors of Valletta: Sliema and St. Julian's.
Sliema at a glance
Long promenade
Good for families
Stone beach
Beach clubs
Peaceful city
Sliema is good for those who want to relax in the city by the sea. Sliema seems to be the most developed city in Malta. It is residential and commercial with lots of restaurants, cafes, and shops. From the east side of Sliema, you can see Valletta, which is an awesome view. Sliema has a very long and nice promenade to walk or run by, and unique beaches which are not made of sand but of stone. A 1 kilometer flat beige stone beach where you can take your towel and snacks, and just sunbathe or swim in one of the Roman baths (natural swimming pools). Sliema also has several beach clubs, where you can pay a fee and relax there all day long.
Breakfast or lunch at Sliema
For breakfast, we went to Surfside and got an English Breakfast. This place is curious because it has cheaper prices if you go before 11 am, which is awesome if you are a morning person. It also has an amazing sea view, which makes it perfect for a couple of mimosas (wink).
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surfsidelido/
Dinner at Sliema
If you are looking for a romantic terrace with an unbeatable view surrounded by flowers and trees, then Fresco's Bay View Terrace is a great option. They have very well served Italian and Maltese food.
What to do at Sliema
Walk along the promenade between St. Julian's and Sliema. Every morning I ran along this long promenade, it's very enjoyable since you always have the ocean next to you
There is a huge mall in Sliema, in case you want to go shopping
Take the ferry to Valletta, it's less than 2 Euro per person and it's a 20-min nice trip
Go to the beach with no sand, but stone
Wander through the streets, and take pictures of the colored doors
St. Julian's at a glance
Picturesque bays
Malls
Nightlife
Bachelor's parties
Big resorts
Here you will find all the 5-star resorts, like Hilton and Intercontinental. In the Paceville area, we found plenty of spots for bachelor parties and late-night fun. There are two main bays in St. Julian's: Spinola and Balluta. Spinola bay has multiple restaurants and picturesque bars. Balluta bay has the Knisja tal-Karmnu, a beautiful church that makes a perfect picture of the zone. And next to that, you will see a small beach with crystal clear water, that seems easy to get into.
Healthy breakfast at St. Julian's
Something I noticed a lot in Malta was the health and fitness lifestyle. Lots of people running along the lovely promenade. And when it comes to food, there were of healthy options too. My favorite was Oakberry, a small shop found in both Sliema and St. Julian's. This place makes amazing Açai bowls that are super tasty. It's not cheap, but you can choose all the ingredients you want and I guarantee you will keep coming back for this healthy choice. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakberrymt/
Best sushi at St. Julian's
This little hidden gem called Koi sushi&asian restaurant was one of our favorites. We went twice and got the all-you-can-eat menu for only 16.9 euros per person. This is high-quality sushi, totally worth a visit. Just remember, the 16.9 euros is only available from Monday to Friday at lunch. A reservation is recommended.
What to do at St. Julian's
Walk along the promenade to Sliema:
Get dinner or drinks at Spinola bay. My favorite spot where some stairs full of restaurants next to Triq Spinola street:
Meditate at my favorite quiet spot: Molo di Portomaso. This place is surrounded by the ocean, with a beautiful view of the city:
If you want a sandy beach you can go to St George's Bay beach:
So, after reading about both cities, have you decided which one is your best fit? Mine is Sliema because I prefer a peaceful place and I loved the promenade with the stone beach view. But I love the fact that there is something for every taste!
Let us know in the comments below, which one you would go to.
Sending you a warm hug,
Kassandra