St Julian's

St Julian's (San Ġiljan in Maltese) sits immediately north of Sliema on Malta's northeast coast, the two towns forming a continuous coastal strip without a clear boundary between them. It has been Malta's centre of tourism since the 1970s and today concentrates the island's highest density of restaurants, bars, hotels, and nightlife. The centrepiece is Spinola Bay — a small, almost perfectly enclosed fishing harbour that has become the most photographed spot in St Julian's. Fishing boats still moor here alongside tourist vessels, and the surrounding restaurants and cafés give it one of the most pleasant outdoor dining settings on the island. Paceville, the neighbourhood immediately inland from St George's Bay to the north of Spinola, is Malta's main nightlife district — compact, concentrated, and extremely busy on weekend nights from June to September. It is not to everyone's taste during peak hours, but it is also the place to find late-night bars and clubs. Balluta Bay, between Spinola and Sliema, has a small beach and a more relaxed waterfront character. St George's Bay to the north has a proper sandy beach — one of the few accessible to the public near the St Julian's area — and water sports operators. The Intercontinental and Hilton hotels occupy the St George's Bay headland, and there are dive centres along the shoreline. St Julian's has little by way of historic architecture — it grew rapidly in the 20th century — but its character as a place to eat, drink, and spend an evening is unmatched elsewhere in Malta.

“Spinola Bay at dusk, fishing boats on the water and restaurants lit behind them, is one of those scenes that turns up on Malta posters for a reason — it actually looks like that.”

What to see and do in St Julian's

Spinola Bay

Spinola Bay is the heart of St Julian's — a small, almost completely enclosed harbour where traditional Maltese fishing boats (luzzijiet) still moor alongside the quays. The surrounding restaurants and cafés ring the bay on three sides, and the light on the water at sunset is genuinely as good as the photographs suggest. It is busy in summer evenings and relatively quiet in the mornings, when the boats are out and the restaurants not yet open. The walk around the bay takes five minutes; most visitors spend considerably longer at a table.

Balluta Bay

Between Spinola and Sliema, Balluta Bay has a small rocky-sand beach and a promenade with a slightly more relaxed character than the Spinola restaurant strip. The Art Deco Balluta Buildings overlook the bay — one of the more distinctive pieces of early 20th-century architecture in this part of Malta. Balluta is popular with local swimmers and families.

St George's Bay

North of Spinola, St George's Bay has one of the few proper sandy beaches in the northern harbour area — a Blue Flag beach with sunbeds, parasols, and water sports facilities. It is busy in summer and surrounded by hotels; the large Hilton and Intercontinental complexes occupy the headland above it. Diving centres operate from the bay, and the area has good snorkelling on the rocky margins. It is noticeably more organised and busier than the rock-swimming areas of Sliema.

Paceville

Paceville is Malta's nightlife district — a compact area immediately inland from St George's Bay with the highest concentration of clubs, bars, and late-night venues on the island. It is almost exclusively aimed at the 18–30 market and is busy from around 10pm until the early hours on Friday and Saturday nights in summer. During the day, Paceville is quiet and unremarkable. Visitors who are not interested in nightlife are unlikely to find much to hold them there; those who are will find the island's best options in a small area. Note that Paceville can be rowdy on peak nights and is not to all tastes.

Restaurants

St Julian's has the highest concentration of restaurants in Malta. Spinola Bay and the surrounding streets have dozens of options for seafood, Italian, Maltese, and international cuisine, ranging from mid-priced terrace dining to upscale restaurants. The competition is fierce and quality is generally higher than the tourist-trap average. For quieter and cheaper options, side streets away from the bay are worth exploring. Tower Road running south toward Sliema also has numerous options.

Practical tips

St Julian's vs Sliema

The two towns form one continuous coastal area. St Julian's is consistently busier, louder, and more tourist-oriented than Sliema — particularly in the Paceville and Spinola areas. Sliema has more of a residential feel and a quieter promenade. For visitors prioritising evening dining and atmosphere, St Julian's has the edge; for those wanting a quieter base with good ferry access to Valletta, Sliema is more practical. The two are walkable from the same accommodation.

How long to allow

Spinola Bay can be seen in an hour but is best appreciated over a meal or drink — the atmosphere improves significantly in the late afternoon and evening. A half-day covers the bay, Balluta, and a walk along the promenade. St George's Bay beach warrants its own separate visit if water sports or a sandy beach is the priority. Paceville only makes sense in the late evening.

Getting between St Julian's and Valletta

The direct approach from St Julian's to Valletta is by bus, taking around 20–30 minutes. Alternatively, walk south along the promenade to Sliema (around 25 minutes) and take the ferry to Valletta from the Strand — often quicker in practice and significantly more scenic. The ferry is the recommended approach for a first visit to Valletta.

Water sports and diving

Several diving and water sports operators are based at St George's Bay and along the northern seafront. Malta is one of the best diving destinations in the Mediterranean — warm, clear water with good visibility — and St Julian's is a practical base for day trips to dive sites across the island. Book through operators directly or via your accommodation.