Sliema has 1,030 licensed short lets, second to St Paul's Bay

Sliema has 1,030 premises licensed by the Malta Tourism Authority for short-term letting, the second-highest number of any locality in Malta and Gozo, according to figures tabled in parliament and reported by The Shift News on Wednesday 7 October.

Only St Paul's Bay has more, with 1,133. Together the two localities hold 2,163 of the 8,748 licensed short-let rentals across the islands, or 24.7% of the total. On its own, Sliema accounts for about 12% of the national total.

The breakdown was given by Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela in reply to a parliamentary question from Nationalist MP Graziella Galea, who asked for the number of licensed short-let premises in each locality. Abela took over the tourism portfolio when the new Cabinet was announced in June.

Sliema's neighbours also feature high on the list. St Julian's has 747 licensed short lets, Gżira has 400 and Paceville, listed separately, has 298. Valletta has 592 and Swieqi 506. According to The Shift News, St Paul's Bay, Sliema, St Julian's, Valletta and Swieqi together account for 4,008 rentals, or 45.8% of the national total. Gozo has 1,612, led by Marsalforn with 244.

The figures cover licensed short-term accommodation only, not every property advertised on Airbnb or other booking platforms.

The figures come after new Tourism Accommodation Regulations for short-let rented accommodation took effect on 15 June 2026, bringing updated licensing requirements and operating standards, according to the Malta Tourism Authority. The Authority's website currently says new licence applications are not being accepted through its online licensing portal while it introduces a new application system.

We will update this story if the Malta Tourism Authority or the Sliema Local Council comments on the figures.