The city of Sliema is located in the northeastern 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, encompassing all the major elements of business, entertainment, nightlife and tourism. It has become an exciting place for tourists as it offers a traditional city feel with the appeal of a big city. What is interesting about Sliema is this split personality, with modern high-rise 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 it 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 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. 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 large 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 centers, particularly when it comes to retail; and is today a major shopping and coffee center. It is made up of some bustling shopping streets, along with one of the most established shopping malls in Malta, with all the major brands one can imagine, from popular street names like Accessorise, M&S and Topshop, to designer brands 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. First of all, 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 traditional yellow Maltese 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, you can choose from around 40 of the best restaurants in Malta, which will definitely guarantee the perfect dining experience every time. These range from unique 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 ice cream vendors begin to appear, scattered along the main streets and the coast. In terms of entertainment and nightlife, there are more than 50 bars spread throughout the town, and ‘St. Julians’, the neighboring town, is within walking distance. This city is the main center of entertainment in Malta and is made up of nightclubs, bars, cinemas and restaurants.
Whether you are shopping, sunbathing, swimming, diving, dining or having a coffee or beer in the sun, Sliema has something for everyone. Therefore, when you visit Malta, we highly recommend that you include this unique city in your itinerary!
