Things to Do in Sliema Malta: Tours, Cruises & Places to See

Best things to do in Sliema

Sliema is best enjoyed at an unhurried pace. Its long seafront promenade is the centre of daily life, with open views across the water, places to stop for a drink or meal, and a distinctly urban coastal atmosphere. Walking along the waterfront is one of the simplest answers to what to do in Sliema: you can take in the harbour scenery, find a spot by the sea and see Valletta from across Marsamxett Harbour.

Beyond the coast, Sliema is known for its shops, cafés, restaurants and lively streets. It is less about ticking off a long list of monuments than using the area as an enjoyable base between sightseeing days. The shoreline also offers places to cool off in the sea, although conditions can vary, so it is sensible to assess the water and weather on the day.

For many visitors, the leading Sliema attractions are on the water. Cruises and boat excursions make it possible to see Malta’s coastline, visit Comino or combine a day at sea with time on Gozo, depending on the itinerary chosen.

Boat trips and cruises from Sliema

Sliema is an important departure area for maritime experiences. Available Sliema boat trips can range from longer cruises towards Comino and the Blue Lagoon to faster speedboat outings, harbour sightseeing cruises and routes that combine Gozo and Comino. Some operators also offer evening or sunset cruises when these are scheduled.

A short harbour cruise is usually the better fit if your priority is seeing Valletta, the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities from the water. A longer island excursion is more suitable if you want a fuller day focused on coastal scenery and time around Comino, the Blue Lagoon or Gozo. These are different experiences, so it is worth looking beyond the title of a tour and reading the planned route carefully.

Which Sliema tour should you choose?

• Choose a Comino or Blue Lagoon catamaran cruise for swimming, coastal scenery and a longer sea excursion.
• Choose a speedboat experience or jet ski tour in Malta for a faster, more active outing.
• Choose a harbour cruise for views of Valletta, the Grand Harbour, the Three Cities and Fort St Angelo.
• Choose a Gozo and Comino combination if you want to discover more than one island in a day.

Before booking, compare the duration, departure point, planned itinerary, traveller reviews and current availability. Sea conditions and operational arrangements can affect the experience.

Compare tours and boat trips from Sliema

Browse the available activities below to compare routes, durations, reviews, listed inclusions and dates. This is the easiest way to find a cruise or excursion that matches the time you have in Sliema.

What to see in Sliema

Sliema has a modern, lived-in character that contrasts with Valletta’s historic streets and landmarks, including St John’s Co-Cathedral. Rather than a compact old town built around major monuments, it is a coastal town shaped by its seafront, residential and shopping streets, cafés and restaurants. Its appeal lies in the combination of city convenience and sea-facing scenery.

The waterfront is the defining feature, but the surrounding streets are part of the experience too. They make Sliema a practical place to stay for travellers who prefer easy access to services and transport, including airport transfers to Sliema, alongside evening walks by the sea. Harbour views towards Valletta give the area a particularly recognisable setting.

Sliema waterfront and promenade

The Sliema waterfront and promenade are among the easiest places to experience without a fixed plan. A walk lets you follow the coast, watch harbour traffic and enjoy changing views as the light shifts through the day. It is also a useful way to get a sense of the distance between Sliema and Valletta, which face each other across Marsamxett Harbour.

Take your time rather than treating the promenade as a quick route between attractions. It works equally well for a morning walk, a break between visits or an evening stroll. Along the way, you will find the cafés, restaurants and coastal outlook that make Sliema popular with visitors staying for several nights.

Sliema or Valletta?

Sliema and Valletta offer different bases, and many travellers enjoy visiting both. Sliema is the more modern coastal option, with shops, restaurants, accommodation and boat departures close at hand. It can suit visitors who want a relaxed seafront setting while still being well placed for exploring other parts of the archipelago.

Valletta is Malta’s historic capital, known for its monuments, museums, architectural streets and dense concentration of cultural sights. Choose Valletta if you want to be surrounded by historic landmarks; choose Sliema if a waterfront base and convenient access to cruises appeal more. There is no need to see them as alternatives only: a visit to Valletta is an easy and worthwhile part of a stay in Sliema.

Boat trips from Sliema to Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Comino, the small island between Malta and Gozo, is home to the Blue Lagoon and is a major reason travellers look for tours from Sliema. A boat outing can be a convenient way to make a sea day part of your stay without changing base. It may suit those who want coastal views as well as time around one of the archipelago’s best-known swimming areas.

Do not assume that every Sliema to Blue Lagoon or Sliema to Comino cruise follows the same route. Depending on the operator and conditions, an itinerary may include or omit Comino, the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, sea caves or Gozo. Check the actual places listed, the time allocated at each stop and any conditions affecting the route before reserving.

Harbour cruises from Sliema

A harbour cruise provides a different perspective from an island excursion. Instead of focusing on a beach or open-water destination, it is centred on the harbours around Valletta and may include views towards the Three Cities: Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua. It is a good option for travellers interested in the relationship between Malta’s waterfront settlements, fortifications and maritime setting.

This format can also be useful when you have limited time or prefer a sightseeing experience without committing a full day to an island trip. Review each cruise description for the precise route, as harbour areas and viewpoints vary between outings.

How many days do you need in Sliema?

Sliema itself can be explored comfortably in a relatively short time: a waterfront walk, its central streets and a meal by the sea do not require a packed itinerary. Its real advantage is as a base over several days. From here, you can set aside time for Valletta, take a cruise, and plan visits elsewhere on Malta or to the separate islands of Comino and Gozo.

The right length of stay depends on whether you mainly want a coastal city break or intend to use Sliema for day trips. Leaving flexibility in your plans is useful, particularly if a boat excursion is an important part of the trip.

Getting around Sliema

Much of the waterfront is walkable, especially if your accommodation and plans are close to the promenade. Public transport, taxis and ride services can help with longer journeys or with reaching locations away from the seafront. Organised tours are another practical option when the activity includes a set meeting arrangement.

Ferry connections are available between Sliema and Valletta, offering a direct way to cross the harbour when operating. Check current arrangements and the location of your accommodation, as the most convenient transport choice will depend on where you are staying and where you want to go next.

Where can you go from Sliema?

Valletta is the most natural nearby visit, while the Three Cities offer another historic waterfront area to explore. Boat excursions can open up trips towards Comino and the Blue Lagoon, as well as Gozo on relevant itineraries. On Malta’s main island, Mdina and other areas can be reached independently or through organised day tours. Sliema’s strength is not that every destination is next door, but that it gives you a well-connected base from which to plan varied days out.

Tips for visiting Sliema

• Check the exact departure point shown for any boat tour; locations can differ between operators.
• Compare the planned duration and route, especially when deciding between a harbour cruise and a full-day island excursion.
• Allow enough time to reach your departure point before the scheduled start.
• For sea-based activities, check current weather and sea conditions, as routes or access may change.
• Use Sliema as a base if you want to combine coastal walks, a visit to Valletta and excursions further across the archipelago.