We decided on a quick day out to Sliema & St Julian’s today. The bus number 212 from Bugibba brought us all the way to Sliema in just over an hour.

The buses are often very busy and this particular bus was full departing the station even before stopping to pick up passengers at any of the stops.

Bugibba bus station

Sliema waterfront

Not knowing exactly where to get off, the waterfront seemed like a good place.

Sliema to Valletta ferry

The bus stopped basically a few meters away from where you would catch the Sliema to Valletta ferry which is pictured above.

First up we needed a coffee fix after sitting on the packed bus.

The harbor in Sliema

Next we walked along the front towards the end of the Tigné seafront where the road turns and goes underground. Here you can go up some steps to a viewing platform and then head up further to street level and a shopping center.

This is the view looking back along Sliema Tigné seafront and from here you look out across to Manoel Island.

Sliema Tigné seafront on Malta

Manoel Island is connected by road so it’s not really an island.

Manoel Island in Malta

We took a look in the Point Shopping Mall and had another coffee.

The Point Shopping Mall in Sliema

Walking from Sliema to St Julian’s Bay

From here our walk took us along the waters edge right around the fort past many cafes and bars a large kiddies play area and beyond.

Walking from Sliema to St Julian’s

The waterfront isn’t lined with sandy beaches, more like eroded yet smooth sandstone which creates rock pools as the tide comes and goes.

waterfront along Sliema towards St Julian’s

Rent a bike or go for swim

Be careful when swimming here as the water has plenty of other wildlife… especially stingers.

Stingers jellyfish along the coast in Sliema

If swimming isn’t your thing then maybe renting a bike and cycle around the area with nextbike.

Rent a nextbike in Sliema

Just looking at the website, and it looks pretty easy. A €5 credit card charge and your good to go. Each 30 minutes is charged at €1.50. If you’re staying in Malta longer then a membership could work out cheaper.

The perfect spot for a drink between Sliema & St Julian’s

Rounding the corner along the Triq It Torri road at Torri ta’ San Ġiljan we spotted a perfect spot to soak up some rays whilst downing a well earned local beer at Dixies Kiosk.

enjoying a local beer at Dixies kiosk next door to Independence Garden Ġnien Indipendenza in St Julian’s

Just to the left of this place is Independence Garden and all along here you have a great view over St Julian’s Bay. There is a large rainbow painted cat on the roof of one of the buildings, kinda strange.

Maybe they feed stray cats here…

The view to St Julian’s from Dixies kiosk

St Julian’s Bay is home to smaller ‘bays’ and as you walk around you pass Exiles bay and then Balluta bay before it moves into Spinola Bay.

View over St Julian’s bay with Portomaso Casino

Above is a picture of the skyline around Spinola Bay with the tall building being home to the casino.

Before you get into Spinola bay you pass the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Knisja tal-Karmnu)

Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Knisja tal-Karmnu

By now it was well passed our lunchtime so another pitt stop was required. We had a couple of burgers at Cafe Cuba which overlooks Spinola bay. The burgers were decent and filling, unfortunately the terrace doesn’t have a no smoking policy and so you could end up next to a table of smokers, not the best thing for lunch!

Lunch at Cafe Cuba over looking Spinola Bay

With full bellies we continued our walk up and into town before catching the bus back to Bugibba. All up, we had a great day out in St Julian’s & Sliema. Like everywhere we go, there is always much more to see and do and this place is no different. We would certainly recommend spending some time here when you visit Malta.

Just for all you cat lovers…

Colourful cat at Independence garden Sliema Malta

If you plan to visit the Maltese islands then a day trip to Gozo island is well worth exploring as are the towns of Maxaslokk and Marsacalla also don’t miss spending some time in Valletta.