Sliema Beach Resort Guide
Introduction
Once a fashionable residential address, Sliema is now an unlikely holiday resort, set on a peninsula with two distinct faces. On the Tower Road waterfront, high-rise hotels face the Mediterranean, bordered by rocky ‘beaches' and lidos. On the Sliema Ferries waterfront, shops and bars overlook the busy dockside which is the embarkation point for a flotilla of pleasure boats and the ferry to Valletta. Behind the two waterfronts, Sliema is still almost completely residential.
Who goes there?
Young families and older couples, usually on package holidays and mostly from the UK, are Sliema's regular visitors. In winter, UK pensioners book cheap long-stay holidays here.
Where in the world?
Sliema occupies a peninsula on the north coast of Malta with seafronts on both the Mediterranean (‘The Front') and on Marsamxett Harbour/Sliema Creek (‘The Strand'). Its neighbour to the north is St Julian's.
When to go?
Silema is warm most of the year. The hottest months are between July and September when the temperature averages 26°C (79°F), but the heat is tempered by cooling sea breezes. Rain falls for very short periods, mainly in the cooler winter months.
Beach
Sliema has no sand beaches, though in Malta any stretch of waterfront that gives access to the sea is termed ‘beach'. On Tower Road, in front of the Preluna Hotel, a broad expanse of large smooth sandstone rock slabs bordering the sea becomes a summer ‘beach' with metal handrails (set into the rocks) giving safe access for bathers. Alternative swimming and sunbathing is offered by a number of seafront lidos, both on Tower Road and on the point of the peninsula, known as Qui-Si-Sana. There are neither beaches nor lidos on the Sliema Ferries/Strand side.
Beyond the beach
There are no visitor attractions in Sliema but various boat trips depart from Sliema Ferries including: Grand Harbour cruises (highly recommended); round-the-island cruises; catamaran cruises; glass bottom boat cruises; and cruises to the island of Comino (also recommended, preferably on a weekday out of season). A 10-minute ferry ride links Sliema to Valletta. The tiny capital, built in the mid 16th century, is one of the architectural gems of the Mediterranean and a walk though its golden sandstone streets and around its fortifications is time very well spent. Valletta is also home to numerous visitor attractions, most connected with the fascinating history of the island. Must-see attractions are St John's Co-Cathedral and the Grand Master's Palace.
Family fun
There are surprisingly few children's attractions on the island and none in Sliema. The Great Siege of Malta in Valletta (Republic Square) is a lively special effects-laden audio-visual exhibition of Malta's romantic history that is designed to appeal to all the family.
Mediterraneo Marine Park and Splash & Fun Water Park share a site on the coast road at White Rocks, 8km (5 miles) northwest of Sliema. Both parks are very small though the Marine Park, which features dolphins and seals, does offer the chance to swim with dolphins at a very reasonable price.
Retail therapy
By mainland European standards Malta is a poor shopping destination with relatively few indigenous shops and wares, and imported goods that are often more expensive than back home. Sliema does have a reasonable selection of shops however (some 600 in total) mostly in malls on and around Bisazza Street (between Sliema Ferries and Tower Road) and The Strand. The island's most interesting shopping is to be found just across the water, at Valletta, in the many independent shops along Merchant's Street and St Paul's Street selling shoes and leather and silver and gold filigree. The Valletta Sunday market (St James Ditch, outside City Gate), a mix of flea market and regular goods, is a major event in its own right, attracting holidaymakers and locals from all over the island. Many of the same items reappear at Valletta's daily market on Merchant's Street though it lacks the atmosphere and crowds of the Sunday meeting.
A night on the town
Every night in Sliema (when the weather is good) the passegiata, or promenade, is a nightly ritual indulged by hundreds of locals strolling along the Tower Road seafront. Holiday visitors enthusiastically join in the local tradition and the beachside cafes soon become full. In summer musicians and singers add to the festive atmosphere. There is a lively cafe scene down at Sliema Ferries and watching the sun go down on Valletta from beside the Fortina Spa Resort hotel (Tigné Seafront, ‘The Strand'), is a holiday highlight. The Crowne Plaza hotel (Tigné Street), hosts the popular Frenchies nightclub and there is a smattering of music bars. However those in search of serious nightlife make the short journey (some 3-4km/ 2-2.5 miles) along Tower Road, around the bay to St Julian's and Paceville (‘par-chay ville').
Eating out
Both Sliema waterfronts are lined with cafes, bars, the occasional English-style pub and inexpensive to mid-range restaurants. There is more atmosphere at Sliema Ferries where the cafes are cheek-by-jowl than on Tower Road where they are spread out. International and Italian food dominates. Restaurants that offers authentic Maltese dishes, such as Ta' Kolina (151 Tower Road), are the exception.
Getting around
The southern end of Tower Road waterfront is only a short walk from Sliema Ferries. Otherwise frequent buses service the waterfront. In fact catching one of Malta's famous antique buses is a holiday experience in itself!
Exploring further afield
Malta is a very small island and it's possible to visit anywhere quite comfortably within a day from Sliema. Once you have ticked Valletta off your list visit Mdina, the ancient capital; the Hypogeum, a fascinating prehistoric underground temple; and the neighbouring island of Gozo.
Splashing out
One of Malta's favourite and longest established French restaurants is Christopher's at Ta' Xbiex (‘tash-byesh') Marina in the next bay along the waterfront from Sliema Ferries. By contrast, Qui-Si-Sana restaurant at the Fortina Spa Resort (Tigné Seafront, ‘The Strand') (www.hotelfortina.com), is an acclaimed newcomer where haute cuisine meets healthy eating. The Fortina is also an excellent place for pampering yourself.
Flying in
Malta Airport (MLA)
