Sliema vs St Julian’s — Where Should You Buy?

Key facts

Sliema suits: Walkable city living, promenade, ferry to Valletta
St Julian’s suits: Bays, restaurants, offices, nightlife nearby
Gated options: Tigné Point (Sliema), Portomaso (St Julian’s)
Special Designated Areas: Tigné Point, Portomaso and others

Sliema and St Julian’s run into each other along the north-east coast, and together they are the heart of Malta’s international property market. Both have seafront promenades, cafés and every service on foot. The difference is in character.

Sliema: the walkable seafront town

Sliema is a dense, lively town with a promenade running from Tigné Point to Balluta Bay, shopping around Tower Road and Bisazza Street, and the ferry to Valletta from the Strand. Homes range from period townhouses on the side streets to modern seafront apartments and penthouses with views across the harbour or the open sea. Tigné Point adds a modern, managed development with a mall and piazza.

Choose Sliema if you want to live without a car, walk to everything and be a short ferry ride from Valletta. Browse property for sale in Sliema.

St Julian’s: bays, restaurants and business

St Julian’s wraps around Balluta, Spinola and St George’s bays. It has many of the island’s hotels, restaurants and offices, and Paceville, the nightlife quarter. Portomaso — a gated marina development with 24-hour security — is one of the most exclusive addresses in Malta, while Ta’ Ġiorni, Mount Carmel and the streets towards Swieqi are quieter and residential.

Choose St Julian’s if you want the bays and restaurants, work in the business district, or want a marina address. Browse property for sale in St Julian’s.

Side by side

	Sliema	St Julian’s
Feel	Urban, walkable, residential	Bays, hospitality, business
Signature addresses	Tigné Point, the Front	Portomaso, Spinola, Balluta
Property	Seafront apartments, penthouses, townhouses	Apartments, penthouses, marina homes
Getting around	Ferry to Valletta, buses, on foot	Buses, on foot; Paceville traffic at night
Watch out for	Construction on side streets	Noise near Paceville

For non-EU buyers

Both towns contain Special Designated Areas — including Tigné Point and Portomaso — where non-EU buyers can usually purchase without an AIP permit. See Special Designated Areas.

Read our full area guides to Sliema and St Julian’s.

Questions & answers

Is Sliema or St Julian’s more expensive?

Both are among Malta’s most expensive towns, and prices overlap. The premium goes to the seafront, open views and the gated developments — Tigné Point in Sliema and Portomaso in St Julian’s — rather than to one town or the other.

Which is quieter, Sliema or St Julian’s?

Away from the seafront, Sliema’s side streets and St Julian’s residential areas such as Ta’ Ġiorni are both quiet. Paceville, the nightlife quarter of St Julian’s, is the loudest part of either town — choose your street carefully.

Which is better for families?

Many families prefer the quieter edges — upper Sliema, Swieqi or Madliena — while staying close to the coast and schools. See our guide to the best areas for families.

Buying in Malta? Talk it through with an advisor.

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Mark Micallef

Franchise Owner & Managing Director, RE/MAX Luxe Malta. Over 25 years in Maltese real estate; licence PC-00442-22. Reviewed by our advisory team.

This guide is general information, checked against official and professional sources on 9 October 2026. Rates, thresholds and programme rules change — often with the annual Budget — and individual circumstances differ. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice; please confirm the position with your notary, lawyer or tax advisor before acting.