Sliema
SliemaSliema is set on a peninsula with two distinct faces. On one side the Tower Road waterfront with high-rise hotels and apartments and rocky ‘beach' whilst on the Sliema Ferries waterfront one finds shops, bars, pleasure boats and the ferry to Valletta.
The town has been associated with the bourgeoisie since its beginnings in the early 19th century when the British rulers and wealthy Maltese started building villas in the neoclassical and baroque styles around the fishing hamlets that at the time existed in the area. English is very widely spoken by the inhabitants of Sliema, possibly because of the influence of British residents.
Over the past years Sliema has undergone a change in its development and only a handful of the early villas survive since most have been demolished to make way for high-rise apartment blocks, especially along the coastal strip.
There are no visitor attractions in Sliema but various boat trips depart from Sliema Ferries including the Grand Harbour cruises, round-the-island cruises, glass bottom boat cruises and cruises to the island of Comino. A 10-minute ferry ride links Sliema to Valletta.
Every night in Sliema (providing the weather is fine) local practice their end of day ritual called passegiata, a leisure stroll along the Tower Road seafront. However those in search of serious nightlife make the short journey to St. Julian's and Paceville (3 km/ 2 miles).
The town has been associated with the bourgeoisie since its beginnings in the early 19th century when the British rulers and wealthy Maltese started building villas in the neoclassical and baroque styles around the fishing hamlets that at the time existed in the area. English is very widely spoken by the inhabitants of Sliema, possibly because of the influence of British residents.
Over the past years Sliema has undergone a change in its development and only a handful of the early villas survive since most have been demolished to make way for high-rise apartment blocks, especially along the coastal strip.
There are no visitor attractions in Sliema but various boat trips depart from Sliema Ferries including the Grand Harbour cruises, round-the-island cruises, glass bottom boat cruises and cruises to the island of Comino. A 10-minute ferry ride links Sliema to Valletta.
Every night in Sliema (providing the weather is fine) local practice their end of day ritual called passegiata, a leisure stroll along the Tower Road seafront. However those in search of serious nightlife make the short journey to St. Julian's and Paceville (3 km/ 2 miles).