Walking from Sliema to St Julian’s: An Easy Waterfront Walk in Malta

During our visit to Malta, we used Sliema as our base for exploring different parts of the island. On the day that we had set aside to explore Sliema itself, we decided to simply follow the waterfront promenade towards St Julian's and see where it took us.

What started as a relaxed stroll quickly turned into one of our favourite easy walks in Malta. The route was simple to follow, scenic almost the entire way and filled with sea views, bays, cafés and little spots to stop along the promenade. Since the route follows the waterfront promenade almost the entire way, it is also very easy to do without needing maps or special planning.

If you are staying in Sliema and looking for a free and easy thing to do, this walk is well worth adding to your itinerary.

Where Does the Walk Start and End?

Our walk started near Tigné Point, a modern waterfront area known for its wide promenade, rocky coastline and open sea views. Fort Tigné is also located here, although it was temporarily closed when we visited and there were some roadworks happening nearby, so we were not able to properly explore or see the fort itself.

From there, we simply continued north along the seafront, following the promenade as it curved around the coast. The walk ended at Portomaso Marina in St Julian’s, where the atmosphere changes noticeably with luxury apartments, restaurants, boats and marina views. Depending on how often you stop for photos or breaks, the walk takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours and covers around 3.5 to 4 km. The promenade guides you for almost the entire route.

Why This is One of the Best Free Walks in Malta

One of the things we really liked about this walk was how easy and relaxed it felt from start to finish. The promenade stays close to the sea for most of the route, so there are constant coastal views along the way. At different points, we came across rocky swimming areas, little bays, cafés, benches and open viewpoints where people had stopped simply to sit and enjoy the scenery.

The route also felt very accessible. We saw people of all ages out enjoying the promenade, from casual walkers and runners to families and older visitors taking their time along the waterfront. Most of the walk was fairly flat, although there were a few gentle inclines and declines in certain sections. Nothing felt particularly difficult, which is what makes this such a good option if you want an easy self-guided walk in Malta without needing any special planning.

Quick Information

• Start: Tigné Point
• End: Portomaso Marina
• Distance: approx 3.5-4 km
• Time: 1-1.5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Suitable for prams: Mostly yes

Starting the Walk Near Tigné Point

We started the walk near Tigné Point, and the views almost immediately caught our attention. The rocky coastline, turquoise water and sweeping views across the harbour towards Valletta made this feel like a very scenic place to begin the route. 

Even before properly starting the promenade section, we found ourselves stopping to take photos and simply admire the coastline.

This part of the walk had a quieter and more open feel compared to some of the busier areas we later passed through. The combination of modern waterfront buildings, wide walkways and dramatic sea views gave the area a very relaxed atmosphere. As we continued further along the promenade towards St Julian’s, the surroundings gradually became livelier, with more cafés, restaurants and people appearing along the route.

Walking Along the Sliema Promenade

One of the nicest things about this walk is just how easy the route is to follow. For most of the journey, you simply continue along the waterfront promenade with the sea almost constantly beside you. The pathway felt wide and comfortable, with benches, railings and plenty of open areas where people had stopped to relax and enjoy the coastal views.

As we continued on the path, colourful murals and street art appeared beside the promenade, including large wall paintings overlooking the water. These sections added a slightly more modern and creative feel to the walk and helped break up the long seafront stretch.

As we continued walking, we passed several rocky swimming spots and bathing areas along the coastline. One of the more interesting historic features we came across was the Victorian Baths, old sea bathing structures built directly into the rocks. Even today, they still stand out along the waterfront and give this section of the promenade a slightly different character.

The walk also includes several public art installations which help make the promenade feel more interesting and varied. Early on in the route, we passed the White Shadows art installation, a modern sculpture featuring human figures that immediately catches your attention against the backdrop of the surrounding buildings and sea views.

As we continued ahead, we also passed Torri ta' San Ġiljan, a historic coastal watchtower dating back to the 17th century. Sitting close to the promenade, it creates a noticeable contrast against the modern apartments and hotels surrounding it today.

Another small landmark we enjoyed spotting was the Cat Statue by Matthew Pandolfino overlooking the waterfront. Malta has a well-known love for cats, so it felt quite fitting to come across this playful sculpture during the walk.

Closer to St Julian’s, we also passed the peaceful Sri Chinmoy Peace Garden, home to a statue of Sri Chinmoy overlooking the bay. This section had a calmer atmosphere again, with benches and open sea views making it another nice place to pause for a few moments before continuing towards Portomaso Marina.

Even though this is a very easy walk, it never really felt repetitive. The mix of sea views, public art, historic landmarks, rocky coastline and changing atmosphere kept the route visually interesting from start to finish.

Balluta Bay and the Change in Atmosphere

As we approached Balluta Bay, the atmosphere along the walk started to change quite noticeably. The promenade became a little busier, with more cafés, restaurants and people out enjoying the waterfront. The coastline here also feels softer and more enclosed compared to some of the earlier rocky stretches of the walk.

One of the biggest landmarks in this area is Knisja tal-Karmnu, the beautiful church overlooking the bay. Sitting right beside the water, it immediately stands out and gives Balluta Bay a very distinctive look. 

The curved bay, waterfront buildings and palm-lined promenade make this one of the prettiest sections of the route, and we found ourselves slowing down here to take in the views properly before continuing towards St Julian’s.

Spinola Bay and Surroundings

By the time we reached Spinola Bay, the atmosphere had become much livelier compared to the quieter sections near the start of the walk. The bay is lined with restaurants, cafés and traditional Maltese buildings, while colourful boats floating on the water give the area a very postcard-like feel.

One of the landmarks we noticed here was The Fisherman’s Monument, a sculpture showing a fisherman alongside a cat looking out towards the bay. It fits perfectly with the fishing heritage of the area and has become one of the recognisable photo spots around Spinola Bay.

This part of the route felt busier and more energetic, but still very enjoyable to walk through. Between the waterfront restaurants, marina views and constant movement around the bay, it felt quite different from the calmer promenade sections we had passed earlier in Sliema.

Reaching St Julian’s and Portomaso Marina

The final section of the walk felt noticeably more lively and modern compared to where we had started near Tigné Point. As we moved further into St Julian's, the waterfront became busier with restaurants, cafés, hotels and marina-side walkways appearing around almost every corner. Boats filled the water and the whole area had a much more energetic atmosphere.

Our walk eventually ended at Portomaso Marina, which felt like a very fitting place to finish. Surrounded by luxury apartments, yachts and waterfront restaurants, it had a completely different feel from the quieter rocky coastline where we had started earlier in the day. The marina views here were especially beautiful and we ended up spending some time simply sitting and taking in the atmosphere before heading back.

After a short break at Portomaso Marina, we took a bus back to Sliema. One thing we enjoyed was seeing many of the same places again from a different perspective during the return journey. Malta’s bus network made this very easy and convenient, especially after a longer walk. If you are planning to explore different parts of the island using buses, I have shared more details, ticket information and practical tips in my Malta Public Transport guide.

Is the Sliema to St Julian's Walk Easy?

Yes, we would definitely describe this as an easy walk and one that most visitors should be able to comfortably enjoy. The promenade stays fairly flat for most of the route, although there are a few gentle inclines and declines in certain sections. Nothing felt particularly strenuous and we never needed to stop because of the difficulty of the walk itself.

The route also felt very suitable for casual walkers who simply want to enjoy the scenery without turning it into a proper hike. Along the promenade, there were plenty of benches and places to pause for a break, especially near the waterfront viewpoints and bays. We also saw families with prams using the promenade, and most sections appeared pram friendly thanks to the wide paved walkways.

Another thing we liked was that the walk needed almost no planning. Since the promenade follows the coastline so clearly, it is very difficult to get lost. You can simply start walking and enjoy the changing scenery along the way without needing maps, special equipment or any hiking experience.

Best Time to Do the Sliema to St Julian's Walk

We did this walk during the daytime and really enjoyed how the changing light brought out the colours of the coastline and waterfront buildings along the route. The sea looked especially beautiful in certain sections, with the sunlight reflecting off the water and creating some lovely photography opportunities along the promenade.

Daytime is probably the best option if you want to properly enjoy the sea views, art installations and landmarks along the walk. It also makes it easier to stop and take photos around places like Balluta Bay, Spinola Bay and Portomaso Marina.

That said, this route would also work very well around sunset or early evening. As the promenade becomes busier later in the day, the waterfront restaurants and marina areas start to feel much livelier and the lighting around the bays creates a completely different atmosphere.

Weather can also make a difference to the experience. Since most of the walk is fully exposed along the coast, it is worth checking conditions before heading out, especially during windy or rainy days. 

Tips for Doing the Sliema to St Julian’s Walk

• Carry some water, especially during warmer months, as much of the route is exposed along the waterfront.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The walk is easy overall, but you will still be covering a reasonable distance.
• Allow extra time for stops and photos because there are plenty of viewpoints and scenic sections along the promenade.
• There are lots of cafés, restaurants and places to sit throughout the route, especially nearer Balluta Bay, Spinola Bay and St Julian’s. Public toilets can also be found in some of the busier waterfront areas.
• The walk is flexible and can easily be shortened or extended depending on how much time you have. You can also use Malta’s bus network to return to Sliema or continue exploring other nearby areas.

Overall, this ended up being one of the most enjoyable easy walks we did during our time in Malta. It combines sea views, public art, bays, promenades and lively waterfront areas without needing any complicated planning. What we liked most was how the atmosphere gradually changed throughout the route, starting with quieter coastal sections near Sliema before becoming more energetic around St Julian’s and Portomaso Marina.

Walks like this also show a different side of Malta beyond the main attractions and historic sites. Sometimes, simply following the coastline, stopping for views and taking in the atmosphere can become one of the most memorable parts of a trip. If you enjoy scenic walks like this, you may also want to take a look at some of the other walking trails and coastal walks I have shared on the blog.