Major city · Malta
Sliema
Spend 1–2 days in Sliema; walk the seafront, shop, dive or relax, then take a 5‑min ferry or 20‑min bus to Valletta.
Sliema is Malta's most built‑up coastal town, offering a long promenade, many hotels, restaurants and dive centres. It is a convenient base for short stays and easy day trips to Valletta or the Three Cities by bus or ferry.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, crowded buses)
- Airport
- Malta (MLA)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Malta ↗Malta is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Malta ↗Traffic drives on the left; if you hire a car, expect narrow roads, heavy traffic and limited parking in the towns.
- Malta ↗Sockets are the UK three-pin type (Type G); bring the right adapter.
- Malta ↗Every licensed stay adds an environmental contribution per adult per night (€1.50 from 1 July 2026, capped per stay — check), collected by the hotel or host.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide8 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sliema, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Malta-wide
- SIM or eSIMGO, Epic and Melita sell prepaid SIMs at the airport and in shops; ID required.Malta-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe but tastes of desalination; bottled or filtered water is normal in homes and restaurants.Malta-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if service is not included.Malta-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Malta-wide
- SafetySliema is generally safe; watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and keep an eye on belongings on buses.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets at bus termini and main squares, some paid (€0.50 (≈ under US$1)); cafés and museums otherwise.Malta-wide
- Emergency numbers112 emergency (police, ambulance, fire) · 21 22 40 01 police (non-emergency) · 112 Armed Forces of Malta (sea rescue) (not 911, 999 or 000)Malta-wide
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on public holidays and some on Mondays; village shops close for lunch and on Sunday…Malta-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMLA Malta International Airport (about 1 h by car to Sliema).
- Getting aroundBus day ticket €2.60 (≈ US$4) (unlimited rides).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€1.5–2.5 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerPint of local beer€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))€12–15 (≈ US$14–18)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€12 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range double room, a night, per room€85 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedMid‑range double room, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €80 (≈ US$95) · High €130 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MLA Malta International Airport (about 1 h by car to Sliema)
Map of Sliema
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Sliema
- Full city guide
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- St. Julian's · 1.5 km straight line
- Valletta · 1.8 km straight line · full guide
- San Ġwann · 2.3 km straight line
- Southern Harbor of Malta · 2.8 km straight line
- Northern Harbor of Malta · 3.6 km straight line
- Cottonera · 4.2 km straight line
- Żabbar · 4.9 km straight line
- Mosta · 6.5 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
Feb
not flagged
Mar
not flagged
Apr
Best
May
Best
Jun
Best
Jul
Avoid
Aug
Avoid
Sep
Best
Oct
Best
Nov
Best
Dec
not flagged
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Weather and climate
Sliema: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Bus day ticket €2.60 (unlimited rides). Main routes 12/13/14 run Valletta‑Sliema; ferry every 30 min, €1.20 one‑way, 5‑min crossing.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Valletta
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Ferry from Sliema promenade, 5 min crossing; or bus 12/13/14, ~20 min
Capital’s historic sites are a short walk from the ferry landing.
Three Cities (Birgu, Senglea, Cospicua)
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Ferry to Valletta then short walk or bus via Valletta
Fortified harbour towns with museums and cafés.
Gozo
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus to Cirkewwa (≈45 min) then ferry 25 min to Mgarr
Longer travel; consider overnight stay on Gozo.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hibernia House Gateway Hostel
Budget dorm, few blocks from the beach
Imperial Hotel
Mid‑range, air‑conditioned, sea‑view rooms from €52
Ta' Cettina Hotel
Splurge, panoramic views of the Sliema front
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Trip budget
| Mid‑range double room1 × 1 night × €85 | €85 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €80 | €160 |
| Bus day ticket2 × €3 · check | €5 |
| Ferry one‑way ticket to Valletta2 × €1 · check | €2 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €28 |
| Trip total≈ €155 per person per day, bed included | €310≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and inter‑island ferries excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €1.5–2.5 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Fish and chips (sea‑front) | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Pint of local beer | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Taxi (5 km) | €12–15 (≈ US$14–18) |
| Bus day ticketcheck | €2.60 (≈ US$4) |
| Ferry Valletta‑Sliemacheck | €1.20 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses can be very crowded in summer; you may need to travel via Valletta to reach other parts of the island.
- Petty theft is the main crime risk in the busy tourist zones; keep valuables secure.
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SliemaSliema
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Għal din l‑indirizz, jekk jogħġbokTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire112
Embassy
US consulate in Malta (check address); other embassies in Valletta.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus day ticket Sliema area: €2.60 (≈ US$4) unlimited rides (check)
- Ferry Sliema → Valletta: €1.20 (≈ US$2) one‑way (check)
Say or show
- Skuża — Excuse me / Sorry (skuzja)
- Grazzi — Thank you (grahtsi)
- Kemm jiswa? — How much is it? (kemmi jiswa)
- Fejn hu l‑toilet? — Where is the toilet? (fejn hu l‑toilet)
- Nista' nħallas bil‑karta? — Can I pay by card? (nista nħallas bil‑karta)
- Bil‑bilja waħda, jekk jogħġbok — One‑way ticket, please (bil‑bilja waħda, jekk jogħġbok)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sliema. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, crowded buses)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus day ticket (€2.60) covers unlimited local travel; ferry (€1.20) for quick Valletta trips.
- Hostel → mid‑range hotel → splurge hotel options all within walking distance of the promenade.
Sources
Ask about Sliema
Loading…
Was this useful?