Sliema (Tas-Sliema in Maltese) is the seaside town that faces Valletta, across the water. With its neighbour St Julian's, it is one of the liveliest areas of Malta, according to Malta Public Transport. What are the things to do in Sliema? Walk along the promenade, swim from the rocks, look at the bastions of Valletta from Tigné Point, then take a boat from the seafront.
It is also a handy base if you are staying without a car: bus TD3 comes from the airport, and the ferry crosses to Valletta. Allow half a day for Sliema, a full day with Valletta. Prices and times were read on 20 October 2026 on the official websites and on those of the operators: they change with the season.
- Where: opposite Valletta, next to St Julian's (about 3 km along the coast between Sliema Ferries and Spinola Bay).
- From the airport: bus TD3, every 30 minutes, €3, to the “Ferries 3” stop, near the seafront.
- From Valletta: the ferry (€3 one way by day), or buses 13, 13A, 14, 16 and 21, to Sliema or St Julian's.
- Bus ticket: €2 in winter, from 18 October 2026 to 12 June 2027, and €2.50 in summer; it is valid for 2 hours, changes included.
- Once there: the promenade, swimming from the rocks, Tigné Point and The Point shopping centre.
- By boat: the ferry to Valletta all year round, and our trips to the Blue Lagoon on Comino and to Gozo, which stop at the end of October in 2026.
The seafront: The Strand, Tigné Point and Tower Road
The Strand, facing Valletta
The Strand (Triq ix-Xatt in Maltese) runs along the water, facing Valletta. This is where the ferry and the boats leave from, around the “Ferries” bus stops. In the middle of Marsamxett Harbour lies Manoel Island, on the Gżira side, with its fort.
Manoel Island and Fort Tigné are due to return to the public: in March 2026, the government and the company MIDI reached an agreement to end MIDI's concession and turn them into national parks, and MIDI's shareholders approved it on 28 April (MaltaToday). Action taken in 2016 had already reopened the island's shoreline to the public; we have not found any visiting rules for what comes next.
Tigné Point and Fort Tigné
On the Tigné headland, Tigné Point has the bastions of Valletta as its backdrop, just opposite. Its square, Pjazza Tigné, is surrounded by shops, cafés and restaurants. The path that goes around the headland from the belvedere has been closed for a long time, MaltaToday wrote on 17 January 2026.
The same newspaper points out that Fort Tigné is classified as a Grade 1 monument, and that it is the only part of Sliema inside the buffer zone of Valletta's UNESCO site.
Tower Road, to St Julian's
From Sliema Ferries, the coast road follows Tower Road to Spinola Bay, in St Julian's: about 3 km, according to the cyclists' association Rota, quoted by Newsbook on 8 October 2026. Malta Public Transport describes the Sliema promenade as a place for walking and jogging, with beautiful views of the coast.
To get back, bus TD3 links St Julian's with Sliema, with stops at Spinola and Balluta. The bays, the beach at St George's Bay and its water sports are in our article things to do in St Julian's.
In town: a garden and two churches
In town, Visit Malta lists Independence Gardens and two churches: Holy Trinity Church, which is Anglican, and the 19th-century church of Jesus of Nazareth, with a view of the harbour.
Swimming in Sliema: rocks and old pools
In Sliema, you swim from a limestone coast, cut into pools in places. Between Sliema and St Julian's, the coast has several bathing areas, Newsbook noted on 8 October 2026.
The “Roman baths”, which are not Roman
Along the coasts of Sliema and Qui-Si-Sana, especially at Fond Għadir (Fond Ghadir), pools were cut into the rock, with steps and small channels for the seawater. They are often called “Roman baths”. Yet according to MaltaToday (2 June 2025), they date from the late 19th century, in British times: well-off families had them cut near their summer houses.
Being shallow, they were used by people who could not swim, and children still bathe in them. Winter storms damage them: watch where you put your feet.
Exiles, for diving
At Exiles, Visit Malta mentions a reef and the wreck of a tugboat. For mask and snorkel, read our guide to snorkelling in Malta.
Flags and safety
Look at the sea and at the flag, if there is one. According to the Malta Tourism Authority, green means calm water, yellow medium hazard, red high hazard, double red water closed to the public, and purple jellyfish or other stinging creatures. We found no official information on lifeguards in Sliema in 2026: never swim alone when the sea is rough.
Taking a boat from the seafront
The ferry to Valletta leaves from The Strand: on 20 October 2026, a one-way ticket costs €3 and a return €5 per adult by day, and a one-way ticket €3.50 from 7:30pm (Valletta Ferry Services). Its summer and winter timetables are in our article Sliema Ferries.
Our departures from Sliema to the Blue Lagoon on Comino and to Gozo:
| Trip | Departure point | Times on 20 October 2026 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat to the Blue Lagoon | Ix-Xatt seafront, about 100 m from the “Sliema Ferries” stops | 9am, 11:30am and 1:30pm every day; 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (sunset) | a ride of about 45 minutes, along the east coast and past St Paul's Islands |
| Powerboat to the Blue Lagoon | Sliema | leaves at 10am, returns at 4:30pm | a ride of about 30 minutes; returns to St Julian's, not to Sliema |
| Gozo + Comino day trip | Sliema | leaves at 10am, arrives at 4:30pm | 2 hours of free time on Gozo, then the Blue Lagoon and the Comino caves; all boats return to St Julian's |
| Catamaran cruise (Spirit of Malta) | Sliema Ferries, near the Bouverie bus stop | boarding from 10am, leaves at 10:30am, back in Sliema at about 5:30pm | Blue Lagoon on Comino, weather permitting |
The exact departure point of each trip is on the trip's page. In 2026, these trips stop at the end of October. To step on land at the Blue Lagoon, you also need a free pass (a QR code for a time slot), which you book yourself: see our guide Blue Lagoon Malta and its free pass.
Departures and today's prices: Comino and Blue Lagoon boat tours, and all our boat trips in Malta. There is no scheduled ferry between Sliema and Comino: ferries to Comino leave from Ċirkewwa and Marfa, in the north of Malta, and from Mġarr, on Gozo (see how to get to Comino and the Blue Lagoon).
Since May 2026, a fast ferry has also linked Sliema with Gozo via Buġibba, leaving from The Strand: see our guide how to get to Gozo from Malta. Tours of Marsamxett and Valletta harbours also leave from The Strand: read our article Valletta harbour cruise.
Shops, cafés and evenings out
The Point, the shopping centre at Tigné Point, has about 15,000 m² of shops on three levels; on 20 October 2026, its website says it is open every day from 10am to 7:30pm. In town, the shops are grouped around Bisazza Street and the Plaza shopping centre, Sliema's “shopping district” according to MaltaToday (8 February 2026).
For food, Sliema is known for its cafés and restaurants, according to Malta Public Transport; to choose, read our article on Maltese food specialities.
In the evening, see our list in the article bars in Sliema. To go out later, head to Paceville, in St Julian's, the nightlife district according to Malta Public Transport: see our guide Paceville, the party district.
Visiting Sliema in one day
- Morning: go and see Tigné Point and the view of Valletta, then walk along Tower Road towards St Julian's and stop for a swim, for example at the Fond Għadir pools.
- Midday: have lunch on the seafront or on Pjazza Tigné.
- Afternoon: take the ferry from The Strand to Valletta; what to see there is in our article things to do in Valletta.
- Evening: come back by ferry (in winter, its timetable ends at 7:30pm) or by bus, and end the day on The Strand, by the water.
A trip out to sea changes the plan: the 9am speedboat to the Blue Lagoon takes up the morning (due back at 1pm). For a longer stay, read our guide things to do in Malta.
Pitfalls to avoid
- The return to St Julian's: the Gozo + Comino day trip and the powerboat leave from Sliema, but come back to St Julian's. To get back, bus TD3 links St Julian's with Sliema, and the promenade is about 3 km from Spinola Bay.
- Two ferries on The Strand: the Valletta ferry and the Gozo fast ferry both leave from The Strand; read the company name before you board.
- Winter: from 1 November to 31 May, the Valletta ferry timetable ends at 7:30pm, and at 6:30pm on Sundays and public holidays (see the Valletta Ferry Services timetable).
- The bus: pay on board, in cash or by contactless bank card; children under 4 years old do not pay.
FAQ: things to do in Sliema
Is it better to stay in Sliema or in St Julian's?
Sliema is more practical for the Valletta ferry and the boats on the seafront. For late nights out, St Julian's has Paceville, the nightlife district. Sliema Ferries and Spinola Bay, in St Julian's, are about 3 km apart along the coast.
Can you swim in Sliema?
Yes, from the rocks and in the old pools cut into the rock, as at Fond Għadir. Check the state of the sea and the flag before you go in.
How do you get from Sliema to Valletta?
By ferry from The Strand (€3 one way by day on 20 October 2026), or on buses 13, 13A, 14, 16 and 21, which Malta Public Transport gives for Sliema or St Julian's.
Where do the boats to Comino leave from in Sliema?
From the seafront, around the “Sliema Ferries” bus stops: our speedboat leaves from Ix-Xatt, about 100 m from these stops. In 2026, these trips stop at the end of October.
What to do in Sliema in the evening?
Stroll along the seafront, have dinner, then go for a drink: our list is in the article on bars in Sliema. For a late night out, go to Paceville, in St Julian's.
Can you walk from Sliema to St Julian's?
Yes, along Tower Road: about 3 km between Sliema Ferries and Spinola Bay, according to the Rota association (Newsbook, 8 October 2026). A boat service between the two towns is being studied, but it is not running yet.
How do you get from the airport to Sliema?
Take bus TD3, every 30 minutes, for €3: it stops at “Ferries 3”, near the seafront. The first bus leaves at 5:15am and takes 43 minutes, according to the TD3 bus timetable read on 20 October 2026.
How much time do you need to visit Sliema?
Half a day is enough for the promenade, Tigné Point and a swim. Add Valletta by ferry, or a trip out to sea, and you fill the day.