Patric’s guidebook Sliema
City/town information
The capital of Malta and the European Cultural City of 2018. The smallest capital in Europe is a must-see, it’s surrounded by the sea, has beautiful authentic streets and buildings. Takes 2-4 hours to visit.
While there, I also recommend to visit the 3 cities that are next to Valletta for an authentic Malta experience.
How to get there: The easiest is to take the Valletta ferry from Sliema ferries, which is only 5 minutes walk away from the apartment. The ferry itself takes about 5 minutes and costs €1.50 (€2 during summertime)
594 locals recommend
Valletta
The capital of Malta and the European Cultural City of 2018. The smallest capital in Europe is a must-see, it’s surrounded by the sea, has beautiful authentic streets and buildings. Takes 2-4 hours to visit.
While there, I also recommend to visit the 3 cities that are next to Valletta for an authentic Malta experience.
How to get there: The easiest is to take the Valletta ferry from Sliema ferries, which is only 5 minutes walk away from the apartment. The ferry itself takes about 5 minutes and costs €1.50 (€2 during summertime)
The old capital of Malta with stunning views, one big fort and full of history. Nice to stroll around Rabat as well which is the city next to it.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 50, 51, 52, 53 or 56 to Rabat. Takes about 60 minutes in total.
472 locals recommend
Mdina
The old capital of Malta with stunning views, one big fort and full of history. Nice to stroll around Rabat as well which is the city next to it.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 50, 51, 52, 53 or 56 to Rabat. Takes about 60 minutes in total.
The nice fisher village in the south of the island is gaining more and more in popularity. Sundays there is a nice market where you can get fresh fish. St. Peter’s Pool, a super nice swimming and diving destination is around 20 minutes walking away.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 82, 85 to Marsaxlokk. Takes about 60 minutes in total.
192 locals recommend
Marsaxlokk
The nice fisher village in the south of the island is gaining more and more in popularity. Sundays there is a nice market where you can get fresh fish. St. Peter’s Pool, a super nice swimming and diving destination is around 20 minutes walking away.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 82, 85 to Marsaxlokk. Takes about 60 minutes in total.
On the North of the island, has several smaller (sandy) beaches nearby and Popeye Village can be found there as well.
How to get there: You can take the 222 from Ferries 5 which goes directly there. Takes about 50 minutes in total.
44 locals recommend
Mellieha
On the North of the island, has several smaller (sandy) beaches nearby and Popeye Village can be found there as well.
How to get there: You can take the 222 from Ferries 5 which goes directly there. Takes about 50 minutes in total.
Sightseeing
In the south, these caves are gorgeous in combination with crystal clear blue water. Advised to take a boat ride into the caves.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 74 to get out at Panorama bus stop just by Blue Grotto. Takes about 75 minutes in total.
123 locals recommend
Blue Grotto
In the south, these caves are gorgeous in combination with crystal clear blue water. Advised to take a boat ride into the caves.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 74 to get out at Panorama bus stop just by Blue Grotto. Takes about 75 minutes in total.
Smaller neighbor island of Malta with great diving and beach spots and a more quiet natural vibe. Plan a full day to visit it.
How to get there: Either take one of the offered boat trips from Sliema ferries or take any bus going to Cirkewwa (41, 42, 222, X1). Takes about 60-90 minutes in total.. Ferry takes around 20 minutes and is around 5 EUR to be paid on the return ride. Since June 2021 you can also take a fast ferry from Valletta to Gozo now.
240 locals recommend
Gozo
Smaller neighbor island of Malta with great diving and beach spots and a more quiet natural vibe. Plan a full day to visit it.
How to get there: Either take one of the offered boat trips from Sliema ferries or take any bus going to Cirkewwa (41, 42, 222, X1). Takes about 60-90 minutes in total.. Ferry takes around 20 minutes and is around 5 EUR to be paid on the return ride. Since June 2021 you can also take a fast ferry from Valletta to Gozo now.
One of Malta’s highlights is the Blue Lagoon on the tiny island of Comino, there you find a small beach with stunning azure crystal clear water which reminds of the Caribbean. Gets pretty crowded in summer but still worth a visit (ideally during the week).
How to get there: Best to take one of the several boat trip offers from Sliema ferries. Check DealToday.com.mt for special discounted boat trips.
122 locals recommend
Blue Lagoon
Triq KemmunetiOne of Malta’s highlights is the Blue Lagoon on the tiny island of Comino, there you find a small beach with stunning azure crystal clear water which reminds of the Caribbean. Gets pretty crowded in summer but still worth a visit (ideally during the week).
How to get there: Best to take one of the several boat trip offers from Sliema ferries. Check DealToday.com.mt for special discounted boat trips.
Food scene
Plaza Foot court: Only 2 minutes at the end of the street, you can find a small mall called ‘Plaza’ at ground floor you can find a food court with a nice choice of different meals (Asian, Mexican, Italian, etc.)
37 locals recommend
Plaza Shopping Centre
Triq BisazzaPlaza Foot court: Only 2 minutes at the end of the street, you can find a small mall called ‘Plaza’ at ground floor you can find a food court with a nice choice of different meals (Asian, Mexican, Italian, etc.)
Prosciutteria
A popular pizzeria 15 minutes by walk, Gzira
Nice little tapas place with Spanish/South American food, around 300m from the apartment, Sliema
La Vida, Bar De Tapas
166 Triq Guze' HowardNice little tapas place with Spanish/South American food, around 300m from the apartment, Sliema
Excellent Mexican food with delicious Tacos, quesadillas, etc, A bit further away but they also deliver, Ta’ Xbiex
Avotaco
Excellent Mexican food with delicious Tacos, quesadillas, etc, A bit further away but they also deliver, Ta’ Xbiex
You can find it in Plaza and The Point shopping malls, less than 5 minutes away, you can find here healthy foods and juices/smoothies, Sliema
6 locals recommend
Dr Juice
Triq BisazzaYou can find it in Plaza and The Point shopping malls, less than 5 minutes away, you can find here healthy foods and juices/smoothies, Sliema
Another healthy food/smoothie option at the Gzira promenade, 15 minutes by walk Gzira
8 locals recommend
eeetwell
Another healthy food/smoothie option at the Gzira promenade, 15 minutes by walk Gzira
Just across Manoel island, a little but very nice burger and tacos place for reasonable prices, Gzira
7 locals recommend
NOVI Bar
202 Triq Ix - XattJust across Manoel island, a little but very nice burger and tacos place for reasonable prices, Gzira
Good and simple place for breakfast or lunch at Balluta Bay, George Borg Olivier St, St Julian's
41 locals recommend
U Bistrot
George Borg Olivier StreetGood and simple place for breakfast or lunch at Balluta Bay, George Borg Olivier St, St Julian's
Very good fast food burger place in Paceville, at the bottom of the stairs. St. Augustine street, St. Julian’s,
14 locals recommend
Hugo's Burger Bar
Saint George's RoadVery good fast food burger place in Paceville, at the bottom of the stairs. St. Augustine street, St. Julian’s,
Excellent food in Valletta, a bit pricier than the previous ones but well worth the money. 53a Old Theatre Street, Il-Belt Valletta
14 locals recommend
Taproom
53a Old Theatre StreetExcellent food in Valletta, a bit pricier than the previous ones but well worth the money. 53a Old Theatre Street, Il-Belt Valletta
Excellent home-made pasta place in Valletta. Old Theatre Street 123, Valletta
10 locals recommend
Pastaus
123 Old Theatre StreetExcellent home-made pasta place in Valletta. Old Theatre Street 123, Valletta
Great sandwiches place in Valletta, Triq il-merkanti 42, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1173
13 locals recommend
The Pub
136 Archbishop StGreat sandwiches place in Valletta, Triq il-merkanti 42, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1173
One of the best restaurants for sea food in the North of the island, Qawra Road, Qawra SPB 1905
49 locals recommend
Ocean Basket
One of the best restaurants for sea food in the North of the island, Qawra Road, Qawra SPB 1905
Good place for lunch and desserts (especially cakes) with beautiful views over Mdina
58 locals recommend
Fontanella Tea Garden
Good place for lunch and desserts (especially cakes) with beautiful views over Mdina
Excellent brunch/lunch menu, good burgers and great pancakes, Wilga St, St Julian's
11 locals recommend
Shoreditch Bar and Kitchen
43 Wilga StExcellent brunch/lunch menu, good burgers and great pancakes, Wilga St, St Julian's
Famous take out restaurant, specialized on sea food and pastas, around 10 minutes walk from the apartment, Sliema
Sea Salt
43 Triq RodolfuFamous take out restaurant, specialized on sea food and pastas, around 10 minutes walk from the apartment, Sliema
Nightlife
The nightclub district in the heart of St. Julian’s. Usually a rather young crowd, lots of clubs with a selection of Hip Hop, Electronic/charts and Latin music, no entrance fees and cheap drinks.
Around 35 minutes by walk, 10 minutes by car/taxi or 15-20 minutes by bus.
367 locals recommend
Paceville
The nightclub district in the heart of St. Julian’s. Usually a rather young crowd, lots of clubs with a selection of Hip Hop, Electronic/charts and Latin music, no entrance fees and cheap drinks.
Around 35 minutes by walk, 10 minutes by car/taxi or 15-20 minutes by bus.
Good choice of brewed beers, with 2-for-1 happy hours in the afternoon and decent food. There are also a bunch of similar places nearby with similar offers, like Tex Mex and MedAsia. The area is called The Strand and is only 7 minutes by foot, Sliema
8 locals recommend
The Brew Bar & Grill
Good choice of brewed beers, with 2-for-1 happy hours in the afternoon and decent food. There are also a bunch of similar places nearby with similar offers, like Tex Mex and MedAsia. The area is called The Strand and is only 7 minutes by foot, Sliema
Simple, cheap pub in the heart of Balluta Bay, George Borg Olivier St, St Julian's
38 locals recommend
City of London Pub
George Borg Olivier StreetSimple, cheap pub in the heart of Balluta Bay, George Borg Olivier St, St Julian's
A prohibition-style bar with excellent service, great cocktails and live music on weekends, a bit pricier than most of the other places, Ball Street, St. Julian’s
16 locals recommend
The Thirsty Barber
Ball StreetA prohibition-style bar with excellent service, great cocktails and live music on weekends, a bit pricier than most of the other places, Ball Street, St. Julian’s
Cool bar with jazz music by the Valletta waterfront, Liesse, Il-Belt Valletta
40 locals recommend
Bridge Bar
LiesseCool bar with jazz music by the Valletta waterfront, Liesse, Il-Belt Valletta
Relaxed vibed bar, 20 minutes walk from the apartment that also offers good Asian (Thai) food, Ta’ Xbiex
15 locals recommend
Good Thaimes
Triq il-GziraRelaxed vibed bar, 20 minutes walk from the apartment that also offers good Asian (Thai) food, Ta’ Xbiex
Beach club, very close to the apartment on the sea side. Has regular parties, during the day you can chill by the pool and have cocktails.
Next to it, is Bora Bora that is similar.
Only open during summer period.
43 locals recommend
MedAsia Playa
Ix - Xatt Ta' Qui - Si - SanaBeach club, very close to the apartment on the sea side. Has regular parties, during the day you can chill by the pool and have cocktails.
Next to it, is Bora Bora that is similar.
Only open during summer period.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Taxis
If you take a taxi, never take the white taxis, they often scam people. Best to use Bolt (similar to Uber, you can download the app in store) or eCabs.
Alternatively you can also try Cool or Heetch.
Getting around
Beaches
Malta mainly has rocky beaches, they are still nice to swim and chill and the water is mostly nice and clean, if you want a sandy beach, you would have to go to the Northern part of the island (Golden Bay, etc.)
You can download an app called ‘WhichBeach’ where you can find all useful information of the different beaches in Malta and Gozo
Ways to save
Discounted tours
Use dealtoday.com.mt to get discounted tours, restaurants, spa's etc.
Ways to save
Food deliveries
You can also easily order food, using Wolt (use code OQCWA to get a discount) or Bolt Food apps
Ways to save
Supermarket
You have lots of grocery shops and supermarkets nearby, however, Lidl is the cheapest and best option. It is just a 3 minute walk away.
Wellbee's is pricier but good for fresh products. There is also a local veggie/fruit shop in the same street of the apartment.