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Sandstone rocks form the beach at Sliema

© Hemera / Thinkstock

Sliema beaches

A fashionable residential area, Sliema is also an unlikely holiday resort set on a peninsula with two distinct faces. On the Tower Road waterfront, high-rise hotels face the Mediterranean, bordered by rocky 'beaches' and rock-cut lidos. On the Sliema Ferries waterfront, shops and bars overlook the busy dockside which is the embarkation point for a flotilla of pleasure boats and the ferry to Valletta. The area between these two waterfronts is residential, housing locals and a significant number of expatriates.

Beach

Sliema has no sandy beaches, though in Malta any stretch of waterfront that gives access to the sea is termed 'beach'. On Tower Road, there is a stretch of pools (locally known as Fond Għadir Beach) cut from smooth sandstone rock slabs - they were used for salt production in the past but they now give safe access for swimmers taking a dip. Further down the road, Sliema Pitch also has a large sea-water pool with on-site facilities. Other bathing spots are Qui si-Sana, Għar id-fond and the Exiles.

Beyond the beach

Most visitors start the visit by walking a stretch of the 10km (6 mile) Sliema promenade from Qui-si-Sana in Sliema to BallutaBay in St Julian's. Known locally as 'the front', the promenade is lined with charming cafes and bars. Shopping is another 'must-do' considered by many, as Sliema is home to Malta's best shopping malls.

Family fun

From Sliema, it is possible to visit the following places: Splash & Fun Water Park (7km or 4 miles), Bugibba Water Park (15km or 9 miles), Playmobil FunPark (18km or 11 miles) and Popeye Village (21km or 13 miles).

Exploring further

Malta is a very small island and it is possible to visit anywhere quite comfortably within a day from Sliema. Worthy diversions include Valletta, Mdina, and the Blue Grotto.

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