Prep your walking shoes! 10 promenades in Malta which are ideal for an evening stroll
Or, as the locals call it, a passigjata.
1. Sliema
Arguably Malta’s most popular promenade, Sliema is the perfect place for a slow amble while enjoying the sea breeze. It’s also tempting for regular pit stops for ice-cream, coffee, drinks, dinner – basically anything you feel like.
2. Great Siege Road, Valletta
Begin your walk from the top of Great Siege Road in Valletta, somewhere near the Grand Hotel Excelsior, and take a leisurely stroll along Marsamxett Street, where you’ll enjoy glorious views of Manoel Island and Sliema, especially at sunset.
3. Birgu Waterfront
You can start your leisurely walk all the way from the landscaped Dock 1 in Bormla (Cospicua) and continue your way to the Birgu waterfront. It’s quite a long and undulating walk, but there are so many stunning sites to take in you won’t even realise.
4. Gzira
The Gzira promenade merges with those of Ta’ Xbiex and Sliema but offers some charms of its own, namely beautiful views of the sea and Valletta right opposite. Beginning from Manoel Island, walk along the seafront until you get to the Ferries, at which point you’ve made it to Sliema. If you get tired, there are plenty of benches along the way for a bit of R&R.
5. St Julian’s
Balluta, with its famous neo-gothic church and nearby beach, marks the end of Sliema and beginning of St Julian’s. Keep walking to the Love monument and make your way down to Spinola Bay. The walk along the bay is short yet charming, especially at night, and pretty romantic too.
6. Bugibba & St Paul’s Bay
Bugibba attracts swarms of visitors all day long throughout summer, so a walk along its promenade might not be the most leisurely, but it definitely offers plenty of things to do, including a round of bumping cars. If you keep walking to nearby St Paul’s Bay, however, the change of pace is way slower.
7. Qawra
Some famous landmarks, like the Malta National Aquarium and Café del Mar, make Qawra an attractive place all year round, but its promenade is also great for an evening walk. It tends to be less busy than its neighbour Bugibba, and it’s a little prettier too.
8. Marsaxlokk
It can’t get more picturesque and quintessentially Maltese than Marsaxlokk. A walk along the fishing village’s seafront enamors visitors and locals view views of the colourful luzzi, ample benches to take in the view, and just a really good taste of vibrant village life.
9. Birzebbuga
The long promenade that circles one of the most popular beaches in the south, Pretty Bay, is as inviting as it gets for an evening summer walk – and the tall palm trees and casual kiosks that line the promenade add to the charm.
10. Ta’ Xbiex
The long stretch of coast from Msida to Gzira makes for an incredibly tranquil walk along the Ta’ Xbiex promenade. Walk down to the rocks for a dip in the sea or just enjoy absorbing the stunning vista of Valletta.