5 Things to See in Sliema Malta
The town of Sliema, or Tas-Sliema in Maltese, forms a significant part of Malta’s foremost commercial district, well known for its shopping, restaurants and cafe life. Once little more than a small fishing village, it grew exponentially during the British period, and went on to gain the reputation of destination of choice for the country’s upper-classes. Here we list 10 of the most interesting things to do here.
Valletta Ferry
Whether you are arriving to Sliema, heading out towards Valletta, or would simply like to enjoy the surroundings from a different perspective, the ferry service is by far the most convenient and affordable way to do so. Marsamxetto Ferry Services runs two ferries an hour till late, with a return ticket setting you back less than 3 euros. Sadly, their ferries no longer operate by steam engine but the views of Marsamxett Harbour, fortified Manoel Island, and the bastions of Valletta, are as impressive as ever.
Christine X Art Gallery
Established over 10 years ago and formerly known as Artitude, Christine X Art gallery promotes the works of local and foreign emerging artists in a fitting setting. Daring abstracts, figurative works, and scenes from local landscapes coexist within a relatively small space. From time to time, this owner-run gallery hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to a particular artist, all the while hosting a fair share of work from resident artists.
Seaside Promenade Walk
At just over 2km in length, the seaside promenade following Tower Road is still one of the longest continuous stretches of unobstructed open sea views to be enjoyed anywhere within Malta’s urban environment. Starting from the edges of Qui-si-sana neighbourhood, and heading towards St. Julian’s, one walks past a British military installation, today a restaurant, locally known as Il-Fortizza (The Fortress), one of Grandmaster’s De Redin 17th century coastal watchtowers, churches, and many ice cream parlours. Upon reaching Balluta Bay, make sure not to miss the cluster of Art-Deco terraced townhouses.
Swim in ‘Roman Baths’
Despite lacking sandy beaches, Sliema’s coastline is still a favourite for swimming, largely thanks to these baths. Just beneath the beautifully located Surfside Restaurant lie a series of rectangular rock-cut pools, sheltered from open sea currents and equipped with swimming pool ladders. The pools are commonly referred to as Roman Baths or Fond Ghadir, however they probably date to the much more recent Victorian era.
Tigne Point
Built on the site of the former Tigne Barracks, remnants of military structures left by the British, Tigne Point is now home to the largest conglomerate of modern high-rise architecture in the country and one of the largest redevelopment projects of the past decade. The streets beneath, a mix of luxurious apartments, shops, and hi-tech offices, are now completely pedestrianized and frequented by copious numbers of tourists and locals alike, most of which are drawn to The Point, Malta’s biggest retail mall. The pedestrian bridge that leads to The Point is adorned with dozens of small padlocks, imitating the practise of Paris‘s Pont Des Arts bridge.
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