Town in Central Region, Malta
Sliema
Malta's seafront expat district, with shops, cafés, promenades and ferries to Valletta. Convenient and safe, a calmer alternative to St Julian's; rents, traffic and rocky beaches are the downsides.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,930–4,280Comfortable, one person · €2,600–3,800Details
- Value for money22/100Better value than 21% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–Jun, OctWarmest: Aug, 27°CDetails
- Air quality11.6 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2024) · ModerateDetails
- Internet209 MbpsFixed broadband, Malta medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe, but mostly desalinated and tastes salty; most residents filter it or buy bottled water to drink.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$34–68Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless work almost everywhere.Details
Where to stay in Sliema
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sliema Ferries / The Strand | Waterfront cafés, shopping and the Valletta ferry |
| Tigné Point | Modern apartments, mall and seafront, upscale |
| Gżira / Ta' Xbiex | Cheaper rents and quieter marina streets |
| Balluta Bay | Near St Julian's with promenade and bars |
Apps that work in Sliema
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- tallinja: Bus routes, live times and travel card
- Taxis: App taxis are cheaper than white taxis; at ferry arrivals and nights, rides get busy, so book early.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Malta.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work almost everywhere. Keep a little cash for pastizzi shops, kiosks and small bars.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs (BOV, HSBC, APS) are common; some add a foreign-card fee. Avoid Euronet and decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not obligatory. Leave 5–10% in restaurants if service isn't included; round up taxi fares.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Arrival is by air at Malta International Airport or by fast ferry from Pozzallo in Sicily.
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Epic, GO and Melita prepaid SIMs at the airport and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Malta
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.