Originally a small fishing village, the present-day Sliema is home to thousands of residents. The small fishing village of days gone by transformed into being the home of British inhabitants during the 19th and early 20th century, looking for a quiet respite, yet being close to the then commercial hub of Valletta. Over the past 50 years or so, the town and the surrounding areas underwent another transformation of commercial development and saw the beautiful stately properties of its past inhabitants replaced by large apartment buildings and modern offices.

Its coastline extends towards Ta’ Xbiex and Gżira (South) on one side and towards St. Julian’s (North) on the other. The front, in fact, is a wide walkway that joins these three towns, where you’ll find crowds any time of day. Early in the morning and in the early evening there’ll be loads of people out for a jog on this same promenade while those less keen on exercising their leg muscles will be kick-starting their day in one of the numerous cafès overlooking the harbour.

Sliema still has a very distinct feel to it. A character found nowhere else and appreciated by locals and travellers alike. Offering various hotels as well as bars and pubs, Sliema can be a good choice for a holiday location for couples and groups travelling together. Neighbouring St. Julian’s, with its nightlife area known as Paceville is a stone’s throw away, while Valletta is nearby as well (and easy to reach with a short ferry trip across Marsamxett Harbour), offering plenty of culture, history and places of interest to appreciate.

The area is a popular tourist destination but is also a sought after residential area for local residents, with some of the most expensive property available in the country. Sliema is viewed as an elite area to live in and is loved by its inhabitants. With the rapid changes the town has seen in recent decades and the ever increasing problem of traffic congestion and parking, however, it’s undeniable that it’s lost a little of its friendly character and has fallen prey to highly lucrative property development.

Nevertheless, it’s one of the rare places in Malta that has a blend of hustle and bustle of city life, good food and recreation and a slight British tint with its pubs and easy going lifestyle.

Trying to figure out whether you should stay at Sliema for your holiday? Here’s my advice on the where to stay in Malta.