About Qui – Si – Sana
Qui-Si-Sana is the rocky stretch of shore at the Tigné end of the Sliema seafront, just below a public garden and children's playground and a few minutes from Tigné Point and Sliema's main shopping streets. It is where the long Tower Road promenade begins, and the shore is made up of broad, flat rock platforms with a few square pools cut into the stone and some natural rock pools.
It is usually quieter than the busier spots further along the front, partly because the rough rock is not ideal for lying on all day. People come for the open sea instead: deep, clear water that you can reach by steps and handrails, ideal for a quick swim between shopping, sightseeing or the ferry to Valletta. Private lidos along this part of the coast offer sunbeds and more comfort for those who want it.
What Qui-Si-Sana is like
The shore is a series of wide limestone shelves between the promenade and the sea. The rock has a rough, prickly texture, which one local guide suggests is why the spot is less crowded than others, so a mat and water shoes make a big difference. There is no sand, and natural shade is limited to what the buildings and garden above cast early or late in the day.
Like Fond Għadir further along, Qui-Si-Sana has old rock-cut baths. Square baths with steps cut into the rock still exist here, part of a network of Victorian-era bathing pools along the Sliema coast, some of which were used by wealthy families with summer homes nearby. A 2007 study found most of the Qui-Si-Sana baths had been damaged by winter storms. The shallower pools are good for children to splash about in on calm days.
When to go to Qui-Si-Sana
Qui-Si-Sana is sheltered from most wind directions. Avoid it in northerly or north-easterly winds, which send waves onto the rock shelves and make getting in and out of the water difficult. An easterly wind can also make the sea choppy.
Malta's most common summer wind is the north-westerly, and on those days Qui-Si-Sana is often one of the easier places to swim on the Sliema front. Mornings are the quietest time, before the rock heats up. In the evening the promenade fills with walkers, and a late swim followed by a walk along the front is a classic Sliema summer routine.
Swimming and safety at Qui-Si-Sana
Once you are off the platforms, the sea is deep, so it suits confident swimmers. Steps and handrails help with getting in and out, and on calm days the water is generally clean and clear. There is no lifeguard, even in high season, so do not swim alone if you are unsure of yourself and keep children in the shallow pools.
The rough rock can cut feet and hands, and the lower shelves get slippery where waves wash over them, so stay back from the edge when the sea is up. The Qui-Si-Sana bathing sites are part of the official water-quality monitoring programme, but Sliema's shore has been affected by sewage overflows after heavy rain, so check the Environmental Health Directorate's notices if there has been a storm.
Things to do near Qui-Si-Sana
At the tip of the peninsula, Fort Tigné was built by the Knights of St John in the early 1790s, one of the last fortifications they completed before the French took Malta in 1798. The British army's Tigné barracks were demolished in 2001 to make way for the Tigné Point development, with its shopping mall, apartments and public squares, which you can reach on foot in a few minutes.
From Qui-Si-Sana the promenade runs along Tower Road past more rocky swimming spots, lidos and Fond Għadir's rock-cut pools to Balluta Bay in St Julian's, one of Malta's most popular walks. In the other direction, the Sliema Ferries waterfront on the harbour side has boats across to Valletta and harbour cruises.
Food, lidos and facilities
There are no public facilities on the rocks themselves, but cafés and kiosks are a couple of minutes away on the promenade, and Tigné Point has plenty of places to eat and shop. The garden and playground above the shore are handy if you are visiting with children.
Several private lidos along this stretch offer sunbeds, umbrellas and showers for a fee, which is a more comfortable option than the bare rock on a long day. Next door, Sliema Pitch has a seawater swimming pool, also with an entry fee. Prices and opening times change each season, so check with the lido directly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Qui-Si-Sana a sandy beach?
No. It is a rocky shore with flat platforms and rock-cut pools. The nearest sand is at St George's Bay in St Julian's.
Can you swim at Qui-Si-Sana?
Yes, it is one of Sliema's main swimming spots. Avoid it on very windy days and after heavy rain, when there have been sewage overflows.
Is there parking at Qui-Si-Sana?
Street parking is scarce. The paid car parks at Tigné Point are the easiest choice.
Is Qui-Si-Sana good for children?
The shallow rock pools are good for paddling on calm days, but the open sea is deep straight off the rocks and there is no lifeguard, so keep children close.
Are there lidos at Qui-Si-Sana?
Yes. Private lidos along this stretch offer sunbeds, umbrellas and showers for a fee, and Sliema Pitch nearby has a seawater pool.
Is there a lifeguard at Qui-Si-Sana?
No, not even in high season, so swim with care.
Are there sunbeds at Qui - Si - Sana?
Yes. 1926 La Plage, MedAsia Playa and The Preluna Beach Club rent sunbeds in summer.
Is there somewhere to eat at Qui - Si - Sana?
Yes, on the beach: 1926 La Plage and MedAsia Playa.
