Sliema is where most people land when they first commit to trying Malta as a base, and it’s easy to see why: a seafront promenade lined with cafes, direct ferry access across the harbor to Valletta, and the country’s highest concentration of modern apartments and coworking-friendly infrastructure, all wrapped into a walkable stretch of coastline.
Where to base yourself in Sliema: Sliema Front or Gzira
- Sliema Front - the seafront core, modern buildings, shopping, and the best cafe wifi density on the island, also the most expensive stretch, a two-bedroom runs around 1,400 euros a month
- Gzira - just south of Sliema between it and Msida, a quieter and noticeably cheaper alternative with the same reliable infrastructure and easy walking access to Sliema’s amenities
- St Julian’s - adjacent and similarly well-equipped, known for livelier nightlife and a strong concentration of gaming and finance offices alongside its cafes
Food, Culture, and Daily Life
Sliema’s food scene mixes Maltese staples like pastizzi and rabbit stew with a genuinely broad international dining lineup catering to its large expat population, and English being an official language removes most of the friction nomads hit elsewhere in Southern Europe. Life here runs on the promenade: morning walks along the seafront, coworking sessions in a cafe overlooking the water, and easy ferry hops to Valletta for an evening out.
Getting There and Getting Around
Malta International Airport sits about 20 minutes from Sliema by taxi, with peak-time waits rarely exceeding 30 minutes given the airport’s small size. A direct ferry across the harbor reaches Valletta in under 15 minutes, and buses cover the rest of the island, though many longer-term residents rent a car for weekend trips to the quieter north or the ferry to Gozo.
Is Sliema worth the premium over other Malta bases?
For most first-time nomads, yes: the coworking density, cafe quality, and plug-and-play infrastructure make it the easiest place to land, though Gzira offers nearly the same convenience at a lower price.
Do I need a car in Sliema?
Not for daily life. The seafront and St Julian’s are walkable, and the ferry to Valletta plus buses cover most other trips, though a car helps for exploring Gozo or the quieter north.