Sliema is one of the largest towns in Malta, with around 14,000 inhabitants.. It lies on the eastern coast, with one side facing Valletta and the other overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Its central location makes it one of the most popular destinations for tourists, and it is in fact packed with hotels, restaurants, bars and shops.

Sliema was once a small fishing village surrounding the Stella Maris church, which was built at Tigne point, overlooking the entrance to the Grand Harbour. All the ships that entered the Sliema Harbour would recite the Hail Mary in Maltese on seeing the church. This starts with Sliem Ghalik (pronounced Sleemalique). It is believed that this is what led to the name Sliema, when in 1878, the town grew to such an extent that it was detached from Birkirkara by the religious authorities and declared a Parish in its own right - The Parish of Sliema.

Nowadays, Sliema has several churches dedicated to patron saints; ‘In-Nazzarenu’, Stella Maris, Sacre Cuor, Mount Carmel and St.Gregory the Great. Each church celebrates its own feast day in grand style, like most of the other churches in Malta. The most popular feasts in Sliema are those held in honour of Our Lady Stella Maris, in August and Sacre Cuor in July.   

Sliema’s long promenade connects Gzira and St. Julians and is very popular with joggers, especially in the morning, when the sun is rising just in front of Sliema. It is also a popular place for swimming, as most of the 3km coast has been made accessible for bathers through ladders and stairs leading to the sea. There is also a small sandy beach at the North of Sliema. In 1990 Gnien l-Indipendenza (Independence Garden) was inaugurated just off the coast of Sliema.    

Sliema is very easy to reach by bus. A number of buses also operate between Sliema and other popular resorts like Bugibba, Marsaxlokk, Mosta and Cirkewwa (for the Gozo ferry). There is a regular ferry crossing the harbour taking persons from Sliema to Valletta and back in a few minutes.

Sliema is therefore an important stop for any visitor to the Maltese Islands. With so much happening, one is sure never to get bored!