St Julian's
St Julian's combines Spinola Bay's restaurants and fishing boats, the sandy St George's Bay and Paceville, the centre of Malta's nightlife, a walk from Sliema.
St Julian's
St Julian's combines Spinola Bay's restaurants and fishing boats, the sandy St George's Bay and Paceville, the centre of Malta's nightlife, a walk from Sliema.
St Julian's (San Giljan) runs along the northeast coast just beyond Sliema, and the two towns merge along a continuous seafront. It grew around a series of small bays: Balluta Bay with its apartment block and church, Spinola Bay with its moored fishing boats, and St George's Bay further north. Between them sits Paceville, a few streets of bars and clubs that form the centre of Malta's nightlife.
The town has three distinct moods. Spinola Bay is the place for dinner by the water, with colourful luzzu boats in the inlet and restaurants on all sides. Paceville comes alive late, especially at weekends and through the summer, and draws students, groups and language-school crowds. St George's Bay has a small sandy beach backed by hotels.
What to do
- Swim at St George's Bay, then walk the seafront back toward Spinola.
- Eat around Spinola Bay or Balluta Bay as the sun goes down.
- Go out in Paceville, or skip it if you want a quiet night.
- Book a scuba diving or sailing trip from the marina area.
Hotels here are mostly larger and more modern than in Valletta, from family resorts on St George's Bay to apartment rentals in the back streets. If you are a light sleeper, book away from Paceville. The UK government's travel advice notes pickpocketing on bus routes between Valletta and St Julian's, so keep bags closed on busy buses.
Buses link St Julian's with Valletta, the airport and the north. The Sliema ferry to Valletta is a walk or a short bus ride away. For beaches with more space, the sandy bays of the north, such as Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha, are reachable by bus or a short drive, and St Paul's Bay is on the way.
Practical information
Beaches here
St Julian's questions
What is Paceville?
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Paceville is the nightlife district of St Julian's, a few streets packed with bars and clubs that stay open late, especially at weekends and in summer. It draws a young crowd. If you want quiet nights, book a hotel in another part of St Julian's or in Sliema.
Is St Julian's good for families?
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Parts of it are. St George's Bay has a sandy beach and several family hotels, and Spinola and Balluta bays are pleasant for evening walks and dinner. Avoid rooms right in Paceville, where the noise carries late into the night.
Where can you find a sandy beach in St Julian's?
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St George's Bay, at the north end of St Julian's next to Paceville, has a small sandy beach. It gets crowded in summer. For larger sandy beaches, head north by bus or car to Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha or Mellieha Bay.
How do you get from St Julian's to Valletta?
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Buses run regularly between St Julian's and Valletta. Many people walk or take a short bus ride to Sliema and catch the harbour ferry across to Valletta instead. The UK government's travel advice notes pickpocketing on bus routes between Valletta and St Julian's, so keep bags closed.
What is the difference between Sliema and St Julian's?
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The two towns run into each other along the same seafront. Sliema is more about shopping, the promenade and the Valletta ferry, while St Julian's has the bays of Spinola and Balluta, a sandy beach at St George's Bay and the Paceville nightlife.
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