Walk the Sliema seafront promenade
The promenade is the heart of Sliema. It runs along the coast with open sea views, benches, and cafés, and it links naturally to neighbouring waterfront stretches for a longer walk or jog.
Local Guide
Things to Do in Sliema
Looking for things to do in Sliema? This guide covers the town's seafront promenade, the ferry across the harbour, shopping and dining areas, swimming spots, and easy day-out ideas. For dated listings and one-off happenings, check the live Sliema events page.
Highlights
Top things to do in Sliema
Take the Valletta ferry across the harbour
One of the most scenic short trips in Malta is the harbour ferry between Sliema and Valletta. It is quick, inexpensive, and gives you skyline views of the capital's fortifications on the way across.
Swim, sunbathe, and explore the rocky coast
Sliema's coastline is lined with flat rocky areas, swimming spots, and seasonal lidos. In the warmer months these are popular places to swim, sunbathe, and watch the sunset over the water.
Shopping, cafés, and waterfront dining
Sliema is one of Malta's busiest retail and dining areas, with high-street shops, a shopping centre, and a long run of cafés and restaurants facing the sea. It is an easy place to spend an unhurried afternoon.
Harbour cruises and boat trips
Boat operators run harbour cruises and seasonal trips from the Sliema area, making it a convenient launch point for seeing Malta's coast and the Grand Harbour from the water.
Plan your visit
Day-out ideas in Sliema
Simple itineraries you can adapt to the weather and the time you have.
Half day
A relaxed half-day by the sea
Start with a coffee on the front, walk a stretch of the promenade, then take the ferry across to Valletta and back for the harbour views. It is an easy, low-cost plan that works for most weather and most ages.
Full day
A full day in and around the town
Combine a morning swim or seafront walk with midday shopping and lunch, then finish with a harbour cruise or a sunset drink by the water. Check the live events page first in case there is a market, exhibition, or concert on.
With visitors
Showing visitors around
The ferry, the promenade, and the waterfront dining strip are the easiest highlights to show first-time visitors. They are walkable, photogenic, and close together, so you can cover them without needing a car.
More local coverage
Sliema News follows the stories behind the places in this guide — from waterfront and development decisions to local sport and the events calendar.
FAQ
Things to do in Sliema FAQ
What are the best things to do in Sliema?
The most popular things to do in Sliema are walking the seafront promenade, taking the ferry to Valletta, swimming or sunbathing along the rocky coast, shopping and dining by the water, and joining a harbour cruise. Most of these are within easy walking distance of each other.
Is Sliema good for a day trip?
Yes. Sliema is one of the easiest places in Malta for a day out because the seafront, ferry, shops, and restaurants are concentrated along the coast. You can comfortably combine a walk, a swim, lunch, and a ferry crossing in a single day.
Can you swim in Sliema?
Sliema has flat rocky stretches and seasonal lidos rather than long sandy beaches. In summer these are popular spots to swim and sunbathe, and the calmer areas are widely used by both residents and visitors.
What is there to do in Sliema when it rains?
On wet days, the shopping centre, indoor cafés, and restaurants along the front are the most comfortable options, and the short ferry hop to Valletta opens up the capital's indoor museums and galleries.