Beach guide
Beaches near Sliema and St Julian's
Sliema and St Julian's have no big sandy beach, but the whole seafront is a swimming spot: rock platforms, rock-cut pools and ladders into deep water along Tower Road, plus the small sandy St George's Bay in Paceville.
This coast faces north-east, so it's calm in a north-westerly breeze and rough in a north-easterly. Here are the closest spots, nearest first, with their conditions right now.
Sea conditions update every hour.
Closest beaches to Sliema
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Fond Għadir Bay
Fond Għadir, Sliema: rocky swimming spot on Tower Road with old rock-cut pools and ladders. Bus stops, parking, and tips for families.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
Qui – Si – Sana
Qui-Si-Sana, Sliema: rocky swimming platforms and rock-cut pools near Tigné Point, with lidos, cafés and buses and ferries close by.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
Exiles
Exiles, Sliema: rocky swimming with ladders into deep water, a lido and snack bar, and shore diving to the Tug 2 wreck. Bus and access tips.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
Balluta Bay
Balluta Bay, St Julian's: a rocky urban swimming spot with steps into the sea, buses 13 and 14, cafes nearby and tips on water quality.
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Spinola Bay
Spinola Bay, St Julian's: a small harbour of fishing boats and waterfront restaurants. For a swim, St George's Bay's sand is a short walk away.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
St. Georges Bay
St George's Bay, St Julian's: a small sandy beach by Paceville. Bus routes, nearby paid car parks, facilities and tips for beating summer crowds.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
Rinella Bay
Rinella Bay, Kalkara: a small sandy beach close to Valletta with calm, shallow water, a kiosk nearby and bus 3 stopping at the bay.
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Xgħajra Beach
Xgħajra: a rocky promenade swim spot near SmartCity with ladders into the sea. Buses 94 and 120, parking and what to bring.
Sea today, parking and facilities
Frequently asked questions
Is there a sandy beach in Sliema?
No, Sliema's shore is rocky. The nearest sandy beach is St George's Bay in St Julian's, about 3 km away.
Where can you swim in Sliema?
From the rock platforms and ladders along Tower Road, at Fond Għadir, Exiles and Qui-Si-Sana, where some lidos rent sunbeds in summer.