St Julian's

St Julian's

St.

The St Julian's guide

An insider’s read on St Julian's

SSt.

Originally a quiet coastal outpost centered around a chapel dedicated to Saint Julian, the town evolved into a summer retreat for wealthy Maltese families during the British colonial era. The mid-20th century triggered a commercial boom, transforming the rocky shoreline into Malta's primary entertainment and tourism hub. Today, the character is unapologetically commercial and fast-paced, though pockets of its maritime past still linger around the old boat slips of Spinola.

St Julian's
PLATE ISt Julian's, Malta

“St. Julian's operates at two distinct speeds. By day, the sun glints off the bobbing wooden fishing boats in Spinola Bay while locals sip espresso along the stone promenade. By night, the neon grid of Paceville takes over, drawing crowds to Malta's densest concentration of clubs, casinos, and late-night eateries. It is a coastal town defined by rapid vertical growth, where traditional limestone townhouses stand in the shadow of modern glass-and-steel high-rises.”

Guides & ideas

The St Julian's reading list

Hand-written guides from our editors — itineraries, the best of after dark, where to eat, and what’s genuinely worth your time.

What to Sort Out Before You Book St Julian's in 2026
Top guide

What to Sort Out Before You Book St Julian's in 2026

St Julian's is four different places inside a twenty-five minute walk, and most first bookings land in the wrong one.

More St Julian's guides · 32
Portomaso Marina, St Julian's: Yachts by Day, Dinner by Dusk

Portomaso Marina, St Julian's: Yachts by Day, Dinner by Dusk

The St Julian's Festa Turns Side Streets Into Dining Rooms

The St Julian's Festa Turns Side Streets Into Dining Rooms

Eating Balluta Bay: A St Julian's Food Crawl

Eating Balluta Bay: A St Julian's Food Crawl

Spinola Bay: A Boat-to-Table Lunch Crawl in St Julian's

Spinola Bay: A Boat-to-Table Lunch Crawl in St Julian's

Paceville After Dark: St Julian's Nightlife, Sorted

Paceville After Dark: St Julian's Nightlife, Sorted

Parks, Cliffs and Coast Paths Near St Julian's

Parks, Cliffs and Coast Paths Near St Julian's

October in St Julian's Means Warm Water and Free Tables

October in St Julian's Means Warm Water and Free Tables

St Julian's With Kids Beyond the Paceville Strip

St Julian's With Kids Beyond the Paceville Strip

Maltese Wine from St Julian's Bars to Inland Cellars

Maltese Wine from St Julian's Bars to Inland Cellars

How to Stay in St Julian's and Skip the Party Crowds

How to Stay in St Julian's and Skip the Party Crowds

What to Do in St Julian's When the Rain Kills the Beach

What to Do in St Julian's When the Rain Kills the Beach

St Julian's in September When Paceville Quiets Down

St Julian's in September When Paceville Quiets Down

Seeing Malta from St Julian's Without Hiring a Car

Seeing Malta from St Julian's Without Hiring a Car

Four Hours on the Water from St Julian's

Four Hours on the Water from St Julian's

St Julian's for Grandparents, Teenagers and Everyone Between

St Julian's for Grandparents, Teenagers and Everyone Between

Walking St Julian's When Winter Empties the Promenade

Walking St Julian's When Winter Empties the Promenade

St Julian's on Foot: The Cliff Walk to Dragonara Point

St Julian's on Foot: The Cliff Walk to Dragonara Point

Walking St Julian's Alone After Dark

Walking St Julian's Alone After Dark

Band Marches and 21:45 Fireworks at the St Julian's Festa

Band Marches and 21:45 Fireworks at the St Julian's Festa

Under the Mosta Dome on a Day Trip from St Julian's
Tours & tickets

Under the Mosta Dome on a Day Trip from St Julian's

Hidden Gems of St Julian's Only Locals Know (2026)

Hidden Gems of St Julian's Only Locals Know (2026)

Mdina and Rabat in a Day from St Julian's

Mdina and Rabat in a Day from St Julian's

Seeing the Grand Master's Palace Properly From St Julian's
Tours & tickets

Seeing the Grand Master's Palace Properly From St Julian's

Gozo by Tuk Tuk and the Blue Lagoon in a Day from St Julian's
Tours & tickets

Gozo by Tuk Tuk and the Blue Lagoon in a Day from St Julian's

Senglea and the Quiet End of Malta's Grand Harbour
Tours & tickets

Senglea and the Quiet End of Malta's Grand Harbour

Beating the Blue Grotto Boat Queue from St Julian's
Tours & tickets

Beating the Blue Grotto Boat Queue from St Julian's

Gozo and Comino from St Julian's on Foot and by Ferry

Gozo and Comino from St Julian's on Foot and by Ferry

Balluta Bay at Dawn: St Julian's Before Paceville Wakes

Balluta Bay at Dawn: St Julian's Before Paceville Wakes

Half a Day in Marsaxlokk from St Julian's
Tours & tickets

Half a Day in Marsaxlokk from St Julian's

Riding Gozo by Buggy on a Private Day from St Julian's
Tours & tickets

Riding Gozo by Buggy on a Private Day from St Julian's

Walking the St Julian's Waterfront the British Built

Walking the St Julian's Waterfront the British Built

Walking Valletta Waterfront Around the Cruise Crowds
Tours & tickets

Walking Valletta Waterfront Around the Cruise Crowds

Where to base yourself

The neighborhoods

01
Spinola Bay

Spinola Bay

For Dining enthusiasts and those who want classic coastal views, though it comes with high foot traffic and premium prices.

The scenic heart of the town, defined by its curved waterfront, traditional colorful luzzu boats, and waterfront dining terraces.

Where to stay — Upscale boutique hotels overlooking the bay or apartments set just one block back from the water.

02
Balluta Bay

Balluta Bay

For Travelers seeking a slightly calmer atmosphere while remaining within walking distance of the nightlife.

A more architectural and relaxed neighborhood, dominated by the neo-Gothic Parish Church and grand Art Nouveau apartment buildings.

Where to stay — Mid-range to luxury hotels situated around the main square and the rocky beach area.

03
Paceville

Paceville

For Younger travelers and partygoers. The trade-off is constant noise, crowded streets, and a gritty late-night atmosphere.

The undisputed nightlife capital of Malta, packed with multi-story clubs, bars, strip clubs, and fast-food joints.

Where to stay — Budget hotels and party-oriented hostels, though light sleepers should look elsewhere.

04
Portomaso

Portomaso

For Luxury travelers seeking privacy, security, and high-end amenities away from the main tourist crowds.

An exclusive, modern marina development featuring luxury yachts, high-end apartments, and fine-dining establishments.

Where to stay — Five-star resort accommodation with private pool decks and marina views.

05
St. George's Bay

St. George's Bay

For Beach lovers and students, though the beach gets incredibly crowded during summer afternoons.

A busy sandy beach area surrounded by language schools, shopping malls, and large resort hotels.

Where to stay — Large international resort chains offering direct beach access or private lido decks.

06
Ta' Giorni

Ta' Giorni

For Budget-conscious travelers and long-term visitors seeking peace and lower rental prices.

A quiet, residential neighborhood located uphill, away from the immediate coastline.

Where to stay — Residential apartments, guesthouses, and quiet boutique hostels.

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Where to eat

Dining

Zeri's

Zeri's

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Portomaso

Overlooks the marina and is highly regarded for its consistent handling of fresh daily catches and Mediterranean classics.

Signature — Salt-crusted sea bass carved tableside.

Piccolo Padre

Piccolo Padre

€€
Balluta Bay

Housed in a converted 18th-century villa directly over the water, offering exceptional coastal views alongside fresh seafood.

Signature — Octopus carpaccio with local capers and olive oil.

Caviar & Bull

Caviar & Bull

€€€€
St. George's Bay

An upscale venue focusing on molecular gastronomy and high-end seafood presentation.

Signature — Ancient grain-crusted tuna with local honey glaze.

Sciacca Grill

Sciacca Grill

€€€€
St. Julian's

A unique concept where there is no set menu; diners choose their specific cuts of meat directly from the display counter.

Signature — Dry-aged ribeye cooked over charcoal.

Wigi's Kitchen

Wigi's Kitchen

€€€
Balluta Bay

A family-run bistro that sources premium beef globally, changing its menu daily based on market availability.

Signature — Slow-cooked USDA beef short ribs.

Lore & Fitch

Lore & Fitch

€€€€
Paceville

An elegant steakhouse overlooking Spinola Bay that specializes in premium cuts of Wagyu and Black Angus.

Signature — Tomahawk steak shared between two.

Gululu

Gululu

€€
Spinola Bay

The most accessible spot to try authentic Maltese dishes in a casual, waterfront setting.

Signature — Fenkata (traditional rabbit stew cooked with garlic and red wine).

The Avenue

The Avenue

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Paceville

A long-standing local favorite known for its massive portions of pasta and casual Mediterranean dishes.

Signature — Spaghetti with rabbit sauce.

After dark

Nightlife

Art & history

Culture

Balluta Buildings

Balluta Buildings

Balluta Bay

One of the finest remaining examples of Art Nouveau architecture in the Mediterranean, featuring intricate stone carvings.

Parish Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Parish Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Balluta Bay

A striking neo-Gothic church that rises directly from the water's edge, defining the skyline of the bay.

Spinola Palace

Spinola Palace

Spinola Bay

A grand 17th-century palace built by the Knight Giovanni Spinola, featuring a well-kept public garden.

Timing

When to visit

Spring

April to May brings comfortable temperatures around 20°C, ideal for walking the promenade before the intense summer humidity arrives.

Summer

June to August is hot, dry, and crowded. Temperatures frequently exceed 30°C, making air conditioning essential and driving crowds to St. George's Bay.

Autumn

September and October feature warm sea temperatures and fewer tourists, though short, heavy rain showers become more common.

Winter

November to March is quiet and windy. Many outdoor venues close, but accommodation prices drop significantly.

What it costs

Budgeting

Backpacker
€50-70
Mid-range
€120-180
Luxury
€250+
Logistics

Getting around

Map of St Julian's

From the airport

The TD2 express bus runs directly from Malta International Airport to St. Julian's. Alternatively, local ride-hailing apps like Bolt, eCabs, and Uber offer direct transfers taking approximately twenty to thirty minutes depending on traffic.

Public transit

Malta Public Transport operates a network of buses connecting St. Julian's to Valletta, Sliema, and northern ferry terminals. Buses can get crowded and delayed during peak summer hours.

Passes & tickets

The Tallinja Card offers multi-day or multi-ride options, which are highly cost-effective if you plan to use the bus network daily.

On foot

The coastal promenade is highly walkable and flat, linking St. Julian's directly to Sliema. However, walking inland requires navigating steep hills and narrow, uneven pavements.

Travel smart

Safety & etiquette

Local etiquette

  • •When visiting churches, ensure your shoulders and knees are covered; wraps are often provided at the entrance.
  • •Tipping of 10% is customary in sit-down restaurants if a service charge is not already included.
From the ground

Practical tips

1

Download ride-hailing apps like Bolt or eCabs before arriving; they are far cheaper and more reliable than traditional street taxis.

2

Buy a Tallinja card at the airport if you plan to use the bus network; it saves money and hassle with cash fares.

3

Wear sturdy shoes; the streets leading inland from the bays are incredibly steep and can get slick when wet.

4

Book weekend dinners in Spinola Bay well in advance, as waterfront tables are highly sought after by locals.

5

Be prepared for slow bus journeys during the summer peak hours due to heavy coastal traffic.

St Julian's FAQs

Is the tap water safe to drink in St. Julian's?

Yes, the tap water is safe to drink, but it is desalinated seawater and has a distinct, heavily chlorinated taste that most visitors dislike. Bottled or filtered water is widely preferred.

Can you swim in St. Julian's?

Yes, you can swim at the sandy beach of St. George's Bay, or join locals diving off the flat rocks along the promenade in Balluta Bay.

Is Paceville too noisy to stay in?

Yes, if you value quiet sleep. If you prefer peaceful nights, book accommodation in Balluta Bay or Portomaso instead of central Paceville.