Sliema – What to do in Malta
The city of Sliema is located in the northeast part of the island of Malta and only a few minutes drive from the capital of Malta, Valletta. It is one of the busiest cities in Malta, as it included all the main elements of business, entertainment, nightlife and tourism. It has become an interesting place for tourists as it offers a traditional city feel, with a big city appeal. The thing about Sliema is this dual personality, with tall, modern buildings comprising offices, apartments and hotels as opposed to the picturesque traditional elements of old buildings, forts and churches.
Traditional sliema
Sliema was once a small fishing village, like most Maltese coastal towns in ancient times, and played a crucial role in Maltese history. During the Great Siege of 1565, Sliema was known as ‘il-Qortin’ and was used as a camp for the Turkish troops led by Dragut. Dragut was eventually killed by a bombardment from Fort St. Elmo across the harbor from Marsamxett, where Sliema is located. Then Fort Tigne was developed by the Knights of St. John in the late 18th century and further developed by the British in later years. Currently, a huge restoration and development plan is underway to restore the fort (one of many scattered along the Maltese coast), as well as to build ultra-modern apartments, a square and a new shopping center.
Sliema today
Sliema is one of the major commercial centers in Malta, especially when it comes to retail; and today it is an important center for the commercial life and of cafes. It included some shopping streets lined with shops, along with one of Malta’s most established malls, with all the major brands one could think of, from popular street names like Accessorise, M&S and Topshop, to designer brands like Maxmara and Furla. . Among 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. First of all, Sliema has a long coastline that allows 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 unique in both the summer and winter months. Sliema also represents a large part of accommodation in Malta, where you can find two 5 * hotels, 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, you can choose from the top 40 restaurants in Malta, which will definitely guarantee the perfect culinary experience every time. These range from upscale cafes, wine bars, and takeaways to award-winning Mediterranean or Oriental cuisine. During the warmer months, tables spill out onto the street, allowing diners to enjoy the ocean views and the gentle breeze. Then ice cream vendors begin to appear, scattered throughout the main streets and the coast. When it comes to entertainment and nightlife, there are more than 50 bars scattered throughout the city, and ‘St. Julians, the neighboring town, is within walking distance. This city is Malta’s main entertainment center and includes clubs, bars, cinemas and restaurants.
Whether you’re shopping, sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, dining, or having a coffee or beer in the sun, Sliema has something for everyone. Therefore, when visiting Malta, we highly recommend that you include this unique city in your itinerary.