There's more to this town than shops and cafes.
The north of Malta gets a lot of praise for its pristine beaches and picturesque coast, and with good reason. But it’s not the only part of the island filled with stunning spots for a swim.
Sliema is widely known among locals and visitors for other things, like its shopping scene, its dining scene and its fast-paced vibe, but the east coast has many draws of its own. Here are six beautiful beaches to visit on this side of the island.
1. Qui-Si-Sana beach
Located right at the beginning of Sliema’s long stretch of coast, Qui-Si-Sana beach is somewhat secluded, and less popular than many of the other beaches here, probably due to the prickly texture of the rock. But the sea is so inviting that it’s well worth a visit.
2. Font Ghadir
Anyone who grew up in the area probably spent their entire childhood swimming at Font Ghadir, learning how to kick in the water with a floatie in the rock-cut baths, known as il-banijiet. These rectangular pools are thought to date back to the Victorian era, and are perfect for a chilled dip, sheltered from open sea currents.
3. Sliema Pitch
Sliema Pitch offers the best of both worlds – clean, open sea for those who prefer to plunge into the deep, and a sea water swimming pool at the adjacent lido, which tends to be a popular choice for families. On windy days, the sea tends to get super rough here – otherwise, it’s sheer bliss.
4. Surfisde beach
Further along the coast is Surfside, a long stretch of smooth rock which draws plenty of bathers throughout the summer. The flat rock makes it a perfect place to lay down a towel and soak up the sun, while more rock-cut pools make it hard to resist a dip. Also, did we mention you'll witness stunning sunsets from here?
5. Exiles beach
Exiles is close to a bunch of amenities – a dive shack, a lido, snack bar, restaurant and even a playground. But if you’re coming here for the sea, you won’t be disappointed. The water is clean, clear and easy to get into thanks to several ladders and slipways installed along the rocky edge - even if it's rough.
6. Balluta Bay
The only sandy beach on this list, Balluta Bay lies on the curve of the coastline that merges with nearby St Julian’s. It’s impressively picturesque with Balluta church towering over the bay, while the shallow water and on-site amenities – yay for the showers! – make it a great contender for a chilled swim.