Things to do in Sliema & St Julian's 2026
Sliema and St Julian's form Malta's modern seafront strip — the island's main hub for shopping, waterfront dining and nightlife, directly across Marsamxett Harbour from Valletta. St Julian's Paceville district is the centre of Malta's club scene; Sliema is the promenade, ferries and café culture.
Quick answer
Sliema and St Julian's form Malta's modern seafront strip — the island's main hub for shopping, waterfront dining and nightlife, directly across Marsamxett Harbour from Valletta. St Julian's Paceville district is the centre of Malta's club scene; Sliema is the promenade, ferries and café culture.
The 2026 calendar mixes nightlife and culture: the Malta Rumble music event in St Julian's, the island-wide Science in the City festival, the TechTok conference, the Ignis et Lux waterfront event and a run of traditional village festas — Stella Maris and Balluta in Sliema, plus the feasts of St Gregory and St Francis.
What's on in Sliema & St Julian's 2026
- Malta Rumble 2026 (27 Jun) — music event in St Julian's.
- Feast of Stella Maris, Sliema (from late Jul) — the seafront town's headline village festa.
- Science in the City Festival (24 Sep) — Malta's European Researchers' Night, partly on the Sliema front.
- TechTok 2026 (16 Sep) — technology conference in St Julian's.
- Feasts of St Gregory and St Francis, Sliema (autumn) — traditional banda festas.
Why stay in Sliema or St Julian's
This is where most visitors base themselves: the widest choice of hotels, the Sliema–Valletta ferry (a 10-minute hop across the harbour), the promenade walk from Sliema to St Julian's, and Paceville's concentration of bars and clubs. It is lively, walkable and connected by frequent buses to the rest of the island.
By day the seafront is for swimming off the rocks, harbour cruises and shopping; by night St Julian's and Paceville run late. Village festas through the summer add brass bands, fireworks and street food to the calendar.
FAQ
- What is there to do in Sliema and St Julian's in 2026?
- The 2026 events include the Malta Rumble music event, TechTok, the Science in the City festival and traditional festas (Stella Maris, St Gregory, St Francis). Year-round: the Sliema promenade, Paceville nightlife, harbour cruises and the Valletta ferry.
- Where is the best nightlife in Malta?
- St Julian's — specifically the Paceville district — is the centre of Malta's nightlife, with the highest concentration of bars and clubs. Neighbouring Sliema is quieter, with seafront bars and restaurants.
- How do I get from Sliema to Valletta?
- The Sliema–Valletta ferry crosses Marsamxett Harbour in about 10 minutes and is the quickest, most scenic route. Buses also connect the two, but the ferry avoids traffic.
