It’s name may be derived from the Maltese word for ‘peace’, but modern-day Sliema is anything but peaceful. This lively tangle of shops, seaside promenades, chic cafés, restaurants, and buzzing nightlife, has a distinctly cosmopolitan feel, where there’s something happening every day of the week.

Once a sleepy fishing village, the town bloomed in the 19th century when the British transformed it into a residential haven for Malta’s upper crust. Echoes of its past linger in elegant Victorian-era houses and art nouveau townhouses, though today, high-rises and modern blocks dominate the skyline.

Despite the urban sprawl, the sea remains Sliema’s soul. During summer, locals and visitors alike bask along its rocky shores, while ferries and boat tours offer trips across Marsamxett Harbour to Valletta’s imposing bastions, and further ashore to Comino and diving hotspots.