Paceville / St Julian's, Malta - 9 Essential Travel Tips and Things to enjoy the best nightlife
Imagine this - Europe's most buzzing hotspots like Ibiza, concentrated in an area which is walking distance, clubs, parties, bars, discos, restaurants, casinos, hotels and beaches - all of Malta's hottest nightlife - this is Paceville Malta, the area within St. Julian's which is reknown for being the entertainment mecca of the island.
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If you're planning Malta holidays, with the hottest nightlife, make sure you don't miss out on St. Julian's and Paceville.
It is the city of a thousand glittering windows, a unique combination of old-world history and futuristic entertainment for any traveller eager to get the best of both worlds.
Whether you’re looking for all-night-long entertainment or party-by-day, fly-by-night fun, St. Julian's can give you a holiday on the island that is completely distinctive from other areas of Malta, and is definitely recommended as a first-visit trip location to keep in mind when you’re booking tickets and accomodation.
However, be warned: depending on where you stay in St. Julians, even if you’re not a party animal, the party might end up coming to you.
That said, there’s no reason to knock St. Julians off your holiday tour of the island - you’ll find as soon as you get there that the party centre of the island has an always-on mentality that makes it easy to find things to do, whatever time you’re looking.
St. Julian's is right next to the ever-busy Sliema and only a few miles away from Valletta, the capital city of the island.
Believe it or not, St. Julians used to be peaceful fishing village up until the1900s! Scratch that, it was a quiet village through most of the 20th century.
Hugged on all sides by rugged coasts, it was mostly known for Latin architecture, fishermen, and deep green fields with good soil and was very popular with the farmers that lived around the area.
The town is named for Saint Julian, the patron saint of hunters (interesting fact: on the feast of Saint Julian's, hunters gather on the roof of the local church and shoot blanks in honour of their patron saint), and up until 1580, the area was completely undeveloped - so much so that the earliest documentation of the parish church puts it as built in 1580.
By 1854, less than 200 years later, only 600 residents lived in St. Julian’s.
Today St. Julian's has a population of 13,792, and boasts more than a few of the most desirable postal codes in Malta spread out over each of its (unofficial!) 16 zones.
Only hints of the fishing village are left.
Spinola Bay, the small creek on the way to Sliema, near the Love monument is still the home of a few traditional Maltese fishing boats. These are owned by the remaining, dwindling fishermen in the area.
You'll also see some fishermen's tool's of the trade, if you walk down the promenade on your way to some of the restaurants.
Since the late 80's and early 90's, the area right up the bay, now known as Paceville, became the entertainment mecca of the island, with bars, nightclubs, discos, restaurants and small hotels sprouting up in a very small area.
Given all of these entertainment areas, Paceville became the de facto go to place for young people on the weekends, particularly in the 90s (when there were few other alternatives available). But even to the current day, Paceville is still the entertainment hotspot.
In summer, at peak tourist season, the area is chock-full of people partying the night away, with Friday and Saturday being particularly busy.
Depending on the kind of holiday you’re after, there’s plenty to occupy your time in Saint Julian's with a bare minimum of money spent, saving you a lot more dough to splash on your accommodation, food, and fun!
The Party Holiday
We’re going to keep this entry short and sweet: if it’s a party and nightlife you’re looking for, St. Julian's has more options than anywhere else on the island.
Paceville is rife with events, and every weekend has something new on, whether it’s a new or world-famous DJ debuting their beats at a club or a whiskey tasting event with an afterparty.
If you’re still looking for a buzz, but without the dancing, there are three casinos to choose from, and also wine, jazz, reggae, hip hop and R&B, EDM clubs to lose yourself in while the night roars on around you.
Clubs:
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Sky Club
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Havana
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Clique
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TwentyTwo
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Footloose
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The Nordic Bar
Casinos:
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Casino Malta
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Dragonara Casino
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Portomaso Casino
Other Entertainment:
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Eden Cinema's
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Eden Superbowl
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Bay Street Shopping Complex
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SkyBar / SkyBeach
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Flyboard
The Relaxing Holiday
Take a tip from Mediterranean culture: there’s no better way to spend your days than relaxing, and St. Julian's has everything you need for a nice, relaxing day, no matter what sets your soul at peace.
Interested in swimming, or the day’s too hot to do much of anything?
St. Julian's has two bays you might be interested in trying: Balluta Bay, a crescent-shaped man-made beach at the epicentre of Balluta’s dining district, and St. George’s Bay, which is found further into the party district but still within easy access of most hotels and beachside bars.
A third bay, Spinola Bay is more of a rocky inlet than an actual bay.
Most of the large hotels also have great pool areas, with some hotels also featuring rooftop pools, such as SkyBeach at Intercontinental.
Is it rainy or cold, or maybe a beach just isn’t your thing? No problem!
Treat yourself to a massage at the Oriental Thai Spa, tucked away behind the Preluna hotel, and let your worries melt away into a soothing oil massage. Really want to treat yourself? They also offer scrubs and treatments to make you feel like a completely new person.
Maybe you relax by staying active?
St. Julian’s has a stunning promenade that goes all the way from Sliema (the town bordering St. Julian’s) to Madliena and beyond, if you choose to keep walking and head further up.
Plus, with St Julian’s shop-heavy districts keeping you company all the way north, there’s very little need to take any supplies with you; you can pick up water and snacks along the way, though we definitely suggest that you wear a good pair of walking shoes.
The Historic Holiday
Okay: St. Julian’s is mostly known for its nightlife, but if you know where to go, there are a few historical points of interests you can drop in on.
And if you use transport, the rest of the island is only a short distance away. St. Julian's is very well connected with the rest of the island.
Start with the ‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel’ church, a beautiful gothic church that sees a mass taking place almost six times a day.
While there’s no museum or specific time dedicated to visiting, you can always poke your head inside when it’s open and take a look inside.
The prestigious Balluta Buildings, Art Deco apartments with a legendarily high price tag, are just a little bit up the road, and you can always grab a coffee and enjoy the sunlight while eyeing up the architecture.
Just recently, Spinola Palace, a historical house with a storied past, opened its public gardens to the public. While a small garden, the atmosphere and sense of history at Spinola Gardens is second to none, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.
You also can’t visit St. Julian’s without taking a picture with Richard England’s ‘LOVE’ monument, where countless of Instagram pictures have been taken and countless of padlocks left hanging on the rails behind the monument.
(Incidentally, the idea is to wake a few metres up the hill where there is a small balcony and you can see the reflection of LOVE right way up)
From there on, start visiting the rest of the island.
Make sure you head to Valletta, where there are hundreds of cultural places packed within a square kilometer or so, then Mdina and Rabat and then explore the rest of the island.
Want more?
Check out our nightlife guides and read up - but don’t hesitate to stray from our recommendations and go exploring! St. Julian’s a big place, and sometimes the best way to see it is to strike out on your own.
Of course, being in such a central area means there are plenty of things to do.
If you're looking for shopping, you can visit BayStreet where there a few good retail shops or head to The Point in Sliema.
In Summer, there are literally events all over the island on any day of the week, so do ask around or check out something like our top things to do in Malta in any given month, to see what's on. Such sites as Whatson will also all of the different activities which are happening in any given week.
Given that the Maltese weather tends to get quite hot in the summer months, you might want to head not only to the beach, but possibly even underwater. There are plenty of diving schools such as: Cresta Dive Centre, Divewise, Dive Malta, Neptunes Diving Club and Starfish.
Of course, we totally recommend that you hit up some of the other destinations in Malta, such as Valletta, Sliema, Mellieha, Bugibba, Rabat and Mdina, Gozo, the Three Cities or the south of the island. Check out some of the ideal destination guides in the Destinations menu above.
Being popular with tourists has its merits: there’s a lot of places to stay in in St. Julian’s, whatever the budget that you have allocated to your trip.
Saint Julian's and Paceville have plenty of large parking areas (though most of them are paid), so getting in and out of the area with a hired car should be relatively easy.
Use the search below to find a suitable hotel in Paceville or St. Julian's which suits your budget. Choice Holidays can guarantee cheapest package prices so grab yourself a bargain now.
If you're looking for Malta hotels for various budgets, from luxury, to value, to cheap, check out this aricle on Choice Holidays.
Here's our pick of a range of hotels which are ideally located.
Luxury
There’s nothing like treating yourself with a little luxury on holidays, and fortunately, St. Julian's has some of the most luxurious hotels on the island.
Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay
Corinthia Hotel’s international renown is reflected across every inch of Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay.
Each room comes with complimentary access to the five-star Apollo Day Spa, a private balcony, and a queen bed with a comfortable mattress.
With over 10 restaurants on site, including two of our top-rated fine dining establishments - Caviar&Bull and Susurrus - Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay is heavy on the idea that you should treat yourself.
Have breakfast in your room, followed by a relaxing dip in the indoor heated pool and a massage or a treatment at the on-site spa.
After you return from your afternoon of wandering around St. Julian’s, indulge in the chocolate lovers’ afternoon tea at Le Cafe and a jaunt around the award-winning gardens - and then, just before bed, book dinner at one of the restaurants.
Even if you never wander out of the hotel, you can find a lot to do just within the Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay’s walls.
Check for availability
The Intercontinental
Home of the biggest casino on the island and a stunning rooftop infinity pool, the Intercontinental Malta is the way to stay in St. Julian's with style and panache.
Boasting beautiful, elegant rooms and minimalist aesthetics, the Intercontinental Malta is built for the traveller who wants to go somewhere and have their every whim taken care of.
On entrance, the concierge service will provide you with a map of Malta and a few pointers on how to enjoy your stay, however if you’d like to stay cosy inside the hotel, there are quite a few options to keep you occupied: the indoor pool, spa, and fitness centre are just the tip of the relaxation iceberg!
Travelling with kids? There’s a kid’s room for them to use and stay entertained in!
Feeling peckish? The Intercontinental has seven restaurants with a variety of cuisines and dining locations available, from fusion cuisine with a view to seafood by the seaside.
Hotel Juliani
Rated as one of the top 100 boutique hotels in the world, Hotel Juliani is premium lounging at an affordable price.
Tucked away at the edge of St. Julian’s party-centre heart, right in Spinola Bay, Hotel Juliani is big on the comfort and convenience of being within St. Julian’s with everything you want right at your disposal.
A family-run boutique, Hotel Juliani is Maltese through and through, from the little touches of Maltese ceramics used throughout the hotel to the menu items available, and even the rooms.
Their lobby is renowned as a place of comfort, with a high terrace looking out over the sunny elegance of Spinola Bay, and their rooftop pool and lounge has a view for the movies - plus, the pool is open throughout the year!
Check for availability
Other luxurious hotels include the Hilton, the Westin Dragonara Resort and the recently opened Marriott in Sliema.
Use our generic search above, call or speak to our team to get a personal recomendation that suits your exact needs.
Mid-Range
Be.Hotel
Want to be closer to the action? Be.Hotel St. Julian’s has your name written all over it!
This four-star stunner comes with a private beach, spa, and swimming pool, and forget about driving around for hours to find parking for your rented car - parking is readily available for anyone with their own vehicle. Need someone to watch your kids while you get some holiday fitness in? The hotel comes with a play area and a game room to make your life easier.
Both full board and half board dining are available, and special diet menus mean that you don’t have to struggle to find something to eat if you have dietary issues. Want to go out for the day? The hotel will give you a packed lunch, available on request!
Also, what other hotel do you know of that has its own exclusive night-club so that you never even have to leave the location to go out and party?
Plus, that rooftop pool experience is a must if you’re spending time in St. Julian’s, and be.hotel has you covered there too!
Check for availability
Budget
District
With prices starting at €44.70 per night for two adults, this is a great price for a great location.
The District Hotel, tucked away into Paceville, puts you so close to the action you can hear the music as soon as you step out of the hotel's doors. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, complimentary wifi and mini bar, and for a little bit more, you can get a view to go along with your LED television and in-room thermostat.
It's missing a pool or a fitness centre to speak of, but if you’re after budget and not interested in spending time at the hotel, you can’t really go wrong with paying low prices just for a bed.
Plus, The District hotel’s central location means you’re never far away from a spa or a pool for a day trip, which could work out cheaper in the long run!
Check for availability
H Hotel
The adults-only H Hotel offers a lot for your low pricing.
Pick one of their beautiful 161 hotel rooms and bask in the view of St. George’s Bay, because for the duration of your holiday, that is the view that is going to keep you company!
With a 65-foot infinity pool, cocktail bar, and a private champagne bar for guests, H Hotel is where you go if you want to party all night, party all day, and party in between - all for a decent enough price that you can still splash out on food, whether it’s at HSIXTY6, the H Hotel’s restaurant, or any of the other places around the central H Hotel.
Check for availability
Other Paceville Hotels
If you're looking for other Paceville hotels or in the surrounding areas, we've got plenty more to choose from. Do check out some of the below:
Check other available Paceville hotels
If a hotel is not what you're looking, maybe you prefer a bed and breakfast, hostel, apartments or guest houses, there are other accomodations, though possibly outside the direct Paceville area.
Click on the below to find some other options in the area.
Check for other accomodations
If you're still not happy with the above, you can still use our generic search facility at the top of the page to find an accomodation which suits your needs.
If you'd rather we give you some recommendations based on our experience, may we suggest you speak to one of our team members via the chat box to the side, or call us.
We'd be happy to suggest any current offers and make other personal and customised suggestions for you.
Now that you have a few starting points for what you can do in St. Julian’s, it’s time to focus on one of the most important part of any holiday: food.
The Maltese islands are hosts to a number of cuisines from all around the world, and it’s safe to say that if you want something adventurous, you will have better luck sourcing it out in St. Julian’s than in other parts of Malta; it is the international centre of the island, after all!
‘Treat Yourself’ range
If you really want to treat yourself to a dinner unlike any other, Caviar&Bull is ready to rock your tastebuds!
Although a little higher priced than some of the other restaurants in St. Julian’s, Caviar&Bull is a gastronomic experience that combines locally-sourced ingredients with adventurous twists to create dishes such as their famed ‘ancient’ tempura’ prawns and Wagyu beef tacos.
Not sure what to pick from the menu?
Caviar&Bull have taken the worry out of it for you, and created three per-person menus that combines the best of their food in three separate easy-to-parse pages.
Looking for something more traditional?
We’ll be honest with you: if you come to Malta, and you don’t get the seafood, you’re missing out.
Our seafood restaurant of choice in St. Julian’s is ‘Paranga’ at the edge of St. George's Bay, a teak-and-glass dream restaurant right above the rippling sea, where the local catch is brought in fresh daily.
Offering both vegetarian, and halal-certified, food, Paranga’s joie de vivre is fish, pasta, and more fish, finished with an incredible choice of desserts. We recommend sitting outside, too, to get the best view of Mediterranean blue on the island.
And if you’re interested in something a little more wild, and a little less traditional, Susurrus might be exactly what you’re looking for!
Susurrus prides itself on an unmatched approach to degustation, carefully combining Mediterannean flavours with the South American way of cooking. Their menu features delicious combinations such as popcorn lobster, charcoal chicken, and miso-cured prawns and salmon pasta - and an impeccable range of caviar choices to sample, starting from Baeri Siberian river sturgeon and ending with Ruthenus Albino sturgeon caviar.
There's plenty of other great restaurants, including Blue Elephant at the Hilton, Zest at Hotel Juliani, Zen at Portamoso, Quadro at the Westin Dragonara and plenty of others.
Mid-range
If you’re looking for true Mediterranean hospitality, you can’t miss out on a trip to Wigi’s in Sliema, a few hundred meters away from Spinola, at Balluta Bay.
It’s a local favourite and run by a namesake Louis (Louis...Luigi...Wigi - the Maltese version of Louis), whose family has culinary roots stretching back for generations.
Every Maltese person on the island has at least heard of Wigi’s, and the restaurant is always packed with locals and tourists alike, making the best of Wigi’s daily-changing menu.
All their ingredients are sourced locally depending on what fresh produce they could get for the day, and they usually have a meat dish of the day.
Making a reservation is recommended, though - Wigi’s is very popular, and it’s better to plan ahead to stave off disappointment!
Caught up in Paceville and spoiled by choice? We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Tokyo Fried House, everyone’s favourite between-bar-hopping restaurant of choice!
The portions are gigantic, the prices low, and the sake handsomely priced, plus - you don’t even have to wander all that far out from your party zone to get to it!
Try their BBQ Set Menu for €40, or take a tasting journey through their entire menu, which features Japanese favourites such as takoyaki and sushi. They also have quite a few discounted offers for big groups - try their Temaki Sushi Parties (priced at €20 per person) or their ‘make your own Takoyaki’ Sunday offer.
Want something a little more more?
Bianco’s is a local-renowned pizza place right on St. George’s bay, so you can get your slice of pizza with a view made for movie sets.
Their pizza menu is an extensive trip through the Maltese islands’ culinary traditions, and it’s definitely not a place to miss out on if all you’re really craving is carbs and cheese.
Cheap Eats
The first place you should stop at if you’re looking for food is the Carob Tree food court, where a fully-fledged 11 kitchens vye for attention from your taste buds. Located in Spinola Bay, Carob Tree hasn’t been open for very long, but it’s made an impression on the locals for the variety of food available.
Sushi? Samosas? Seafood?
The Carob Tree Food Court is built for variety, and the centralised tables means that you don’t have to dine at one place only! If you want to brunch out (pun-intended), and get meals from two places or more, having them together on the same table is easy and fast!
If you’re not interested in eating at a food court, there’s quite a lot of options available to you for budget eats that don’t skimp on the flavour!
Our first spot of choice is Crudo, a cafe-restaurant in Balluta Bay with a beautiful view of the water.
Grab your food al-fresco, or dine inside in the tiny cafe; either way, you’re going to get a world of options to try, although we do have a soft spot for their focaccias.
If you’re in that region, you can also just go up the road and hit up Frensh for dessert, a favourite among Balluta residents for their at-home Parisian boulangerie offerings.
Finally, it wouldn’t be a food guide to St. Julian’s without mentioning The Dubliner, an Irish pub built on the tenet ‘more is always more’ (especially when it comes to food!)
If you’re visiting when the weather is frightful, the Dubliner specialises in the kind of comfort food that makes you feel right at home, and is well worth the journey out.
Of course, there are plenty of other restaurants, take-aways, cafes, and other places to grab a bite, about 300 of them in total. Rest assured, you won't be going hungry!
Honourable Mentions
We could write an entire blog post just about what to eat in St. Julian’s, and by no means is this list exhaustive! Just to highlight a few of our other spots, here are some more places that you shouldn’t miss out on:
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U Bistrot - breakfast is their main claim to fame, although don’t be fooled: U Bistrot roasts a mean steak, and their smoothies can hold their own at any juice bar.
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Emperor of India - there’s nothing more comforting than Emperor of Indian’s lamb rogan josh and their fresh-baked roti, still steaming from the oven.
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Gululu - eat as the Maltese do: at Gululu, with a view that goes very well with your traditional bigilla dip and slow-roasted pork cheeks.
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Manouche - the original home of the cronut, Manouche is all sweet, all the time, even during their 5PM dinner-time rush. A more refined breakfasting place, Manouche is also known for its delectable eggs benedict options.
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RivaReno - there is always a time for ice-cream, and there’s especially always a time for RivaReno’s gelato, freshly-made daily.
Given that this IS the place to be for good nightlife, we have to mention some of the most popular and our favourite bars, lounges and pubs.
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Drayton Pub or Drayton's - a proper English pub for a good beer.
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The Thirsty Barber - 1920s US prohibition style interior's, this is the bar for "gentlemen", plenty of gins, cognacs, whiskys, and other liquors.
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The Dubliner - a nice Irish bar, good pub grup, shows football and other sporting event and a good all-round atmosphere. The only place that we mention for both the food and the bar.
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Saddles - a relatively small (even if spread over two floors) watering hole, popular with the locals.
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Hugo's Lounge - good cocktails, popular with the locals - the place to be and be seen.
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Chalice Bar and Lounge - a more sophisticated cocktails and lounge, highly-rated and top spot in the middle of Paceville.
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Republik - want to get sloshed before parting the night away? Not too fancy, but great prices on booze.
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QuarterDeck Bar and Lounge - a more sophisticated bar and lounge right on top of the Portomaso Marina.
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Black Bull - a popular pub right in the heart of Paceville.
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Bar Native - good prices on drinks and plenty of good atmosphere, a good DJ in summer with a great festive atmosphere.
Again, you won't run out of any places to just drop in and quench your thirst for a pint of cold beer, a fresh glass of wine, or a nice cocktail.
Getting around in St. Julian’s is really easy, whether you decide to put on your walking shoes and wander around, spring for a cab, or take the bus.
Being party central means that buses operate pretty much constantly, with the regular routes giving way to the N13 and N71 night buses until 2 in the morning.
If you don’t want to constrain yourself to buses, or you’re in a rush, Malta’s premier cab company, eCabs, has their headquarters literally up the road from St. George's Bay - a hop, skip, and a jump away from St. Julian’s.
Updated bus route information can be acquired from any of the hotels you’re staying at, but if you want to pre-prepare for your travels, you can also find them on the website for Malta’s public transport.
Make sure if you’re planning on seeing other parts of the island - such as Valletta, Mosta, or even taking a sojourn to Gozo - that you consider springing for the weekly ticket instead of buying per-diem tickets.
So where can you get from St. Julian’s? Pretty much anywhere!
Buses going to Valletta stop at Ta’ Xbiex, Sliema, and Gzira, among other locations, and buses heading further north, to Bugibba or beyond, will also go to Swieqi, Pembroke, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay.
Given the fact that it is such a popular destination, getting there is very easy in reality and there are various options.
Malta Airport to St. Julian's / Paceville
Given that Paceville and St. Julians are such a popular destination, you'll find that getting from Luqa Airport to St. Julian's, at just over 10km is quick and easy.
As always, the cheapest option is Public Transport, with the TD3 bus taking you directly to PAceville. The TD2 also goes directly to the airport, with stops at San Ġiljan, Spinola, Balluta, the Chalet and the Ferries (in Sliema).
The bus costs €1.50 in winter, €2.00 is summer, and €3.00 for the night service if you buy vash tickets. If you get prepaid cards, it will be cheaper in the long-run, so if you're planning to do a lot of travelling by bus, you might want to check out the options on the Public Transport website.
Taking a cab is always faster, but a bit of a pricier option, with standad fares starting at about €17 with pre-booked private cabs such as eCabs. Alternatively, you can catch a Taxi or book a cab directly from the stand at the airport, but you'll find that at peak hours you might find yourself waiting, so booking beforehand is recommended.
Tehre are also shuttle services, including those offered by MaltaTransfer from the airport to Saint Julians and other tourist hot spots, costi about €16. These should also be booked beforehand.
You can also get to Paceville/St. Julian's by private or hired car. Parking in the street is notoriously difficult, with traffic wardens and traffic cameras issuing fines for wrong parking. But, there are plenty of (paid) parking areas.
It would be best to ask about parking at the hotel or accomodation where you are staying, or find a paid parking area (from the list below) close to your accomodation to avoid wasting time looking for a parking spot.
The following all offer quite spacious, multi-storey car parks
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Portomaso
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BayStreet
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Pender Gardens
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Spinola Park
Check the rates before you park, weekends are typically more expensive because many locals will visit and the car parks get busier.
Other than from the airport, getting to Saint Julian's and Paceville is fairly easy, with most tourist services offering transport to and from your hotel.
Public Transport also is very well connected to the area, given it's popularity and central location.
Paceville - Valletta
If you'd like to quickly get to Valleta, public transport is a great option. Another quite scenic route, is by the Sliema ferry. You'll need to get to the Sliema ferries area and then take the ferry to Valleta.
The ferry offers scenic views of the Harbour and Valletta skyline, for as little as €1.50 per person or €2.80 with return. The ferry runs across the harbour, avoiding the public transport trip along the coast road, making it much quicker (trip takes some 15 minutes).
At the same time, you can enjoy excellent views of the harbour. The ferry sometimes gets called off due to the weather. It runs till 19:15 in winter, but in summer it keeps beyond midnight.
Hop-on / Hop-off and Open-top buses
As with most major towns and cities you'll find that Hop-On, Hop-off are also regular feature in the area.
Open top buses are a great way to discover Malta and the Maltese islands and visit the most interesting places if you don't have too much time to spend. You're quite likely to get a sun-tan even just by staying on the bus.
Regular buses leave from the Spinola Bay every half hour from 9:00AM to 3:00PM during the week and from 9:00AM to 2:00PM on Sundays. A full day ticket costs about €20.
As most of this location is by the sea, access to the sea is very easy.
There are a number of swimming spots, with the most popular being St. George's Bay beach. There is also Balluta Bay up the road in Sliema and Spinola Bay, which is mostly a creek, but with some swimming spots.
You can also walk a few hundred meters towards Sliema, with the whole area between the Fortizza up to Balluta bay being rocky coastline but with very easy access to the sea.
The actual coastline at Saint Julian's is mostly encroached by hotels, but you'll still find some good spots.
If you prefer larger sandy beaches than St. George's bay, get down to Golden Bay or Mellieha Bay, both in the north of Malta.
You'll find that the most beaches will get quite popular in summer, with both locals and tourists visiting the beaches for to enjoy a relaxed afternoon / evening by the sea.
As somebody who is looking to visit, here's are some common questions you might have.
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Should I stay here as part of my holiday? Yes, if you like "busy" and nightlife. The location is central and there's always a lot going on. It is very well connected and popular with tourist operators so you're bound to find all you need as a tourist.
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What's the weather like? Malta has a relatively small area so you'll find that the weather does not vary much from one place to the other. In all likelihood, if the weather says it's going be nice and sunny in Malta, that's what the weather will be like in Sliema. (Why not have a look at our weather breakdown by season in our Best Time to Visit Malta article?)
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Is it safe? Malta has few if any no-go areas which are not safe. The crime rate is very low and generally speaking the country remains one of the safest, but it's never a bad idea to keep an eye out for your and your companions' safety. If you find yourself in an area or situation which looks and feel dodgy, get yourself to more popular areas quickly.
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Can I find free Wi-Fi? As with most places you'll find that most bars, restaurants and cafes offer free connectivity. The Maltese government also has a program of providing free Wi-FI in squares and public gardens - so look out for MCA Free Wifi to get connected for free.
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Can I eat cheaply? Absolutely, if you go to the right places. There are ways and means of shopping around for the right prices. Visiting any of the small kiosks, pizza stands and other such food stalls should result in a good bargain and any very local eatery will provide snacks and food cheaply (and yes, it is very safe to eat there, despite the fact that they might look grubby). Alternatively, you can do some shopping are grocery stores or Supermarkets such as Valyou, Green's or ParkTowers.
Conclusion
Should you stay in St. Julian’s or Paceville? Yes, absolutely!
We recommend it because you get a completely different experience staying in St. Julian’s to staying on any other part of the island. Malta’s small size means that geographical differences are slightly less pronounced than with other regions, however it’s hard to deny that St. Julian’s has a completely different aura to what other parts of the island can claim, and it’s definitely worth experiencing.
If you've still got questions, we'd love to hear from you!
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