Sliema Holiday Guide

There are regular flights from the UK to Malta and Sliema is 10 miles from the international airport.

Malta is not very big, cabs are plentiful and public transport is excellent - including the charming old white and orange buses now something of a tourist icon.

Car hire is reasonable, all the road signs are in English and driving is on the left - hangovers from the days when Malta was British.

Malta's not known for its sandy beaches, but Sliema does have a rocky seaside stretch - dedicated sun worshippers do use it and locals have developed a knack for rockbathing.

A number of lidos can also be found along the seafront, offering somewhere to cool off and good facilities.

St. George's Bay at Paceville has a small sandy beach, but the island's best beach is widely considered to Mellieha Bay.

Meaning 'peace', Sliema was once a small fishing town, but has since developed into a thriving resort, and taking a stroll along the smart palm-lined promenade, The Strand, will give you a good perspective on the resort and some of its fine classical architecture.

Stroll to Spinola Palace, built by the Italian Knight Paolo Spinola in 1658, and you'll find a magnificent example of period architecture.

Catch a little boat across the bay to Valetta, an ancient UNESCO-listed fortified city, with streets flanked by elegant palaces and tiny shops.

Food is one of Malta's most popular areas offering a wide range of international restaurants from Chinese and Indian, to Turkish and Russian.

Maltese food has Arabic, Italian, Spanish and British influences and fish features heavy on most menus. Rabbit stew is a national dish and other local specialities include minestra (a thick vegetable soup), bigilla (a thick pate of broad beans and garlic), kapunata (a kind of ratatouille) and pastizzi (a much-loved flaky pastry snack stuffed with ricotta or peas).

The Strand is perfect for that traditional Mediterranean habit, the 'passegiata', an evening stroll with the family. Sliema and St. Julian's between them offer a big selection of bars and clubs, making this one of the hottest places for locals and tourists alike. Paceville is home to the most happening nightlife. If you fancy something smarter, check out the nearby Dragonara Casino in an old castle.

The Strand is perfect for that traditional Mediterranean habit, the 'passegiata', an evening stroll with the family. Sliema and St. Julian's between them offer a big selection of bars and clubs, making this one of the hottest places for locals and tourists alike. Paceville is home to the most happening nightlife. If you fancy something smarter, check out the nearby Dragonara Casino in an old castle.

Sliema is known for having the island's best shopping. Tower Road and its neighbouring streets make up the fashionable district, with numerous shops, boutiques, banks and small restaurants. Souvenirs could include Maltese lace, fine silverware, jewellery and pottery.

Sliema is a good family option, but the lack of sandy beaches may deter anyone with little kids. However, British tastes are definitely catered for in Malta generally, which means little culture shock.

Out and about on the island, try the Mediterraneo Marine Park or Sweethaven Village, the film set of the 1980s film Popeye. Also on the island are the Splash and Fun Water Park and the LWA Animal Park, which also has a go-karting track.