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St Julians Information
Originally a small fishing village, St Julians has developed into
a summer resort for the wealthy Maltese, and a lively,
high-density tourist resort, with the hub of vibrant nightlife in
the Paceville area. Located on the North West coast, 8km North
West of Valletta and 13km from the airport, St Julians nestles in
a series of bays on the North East coast, adjoining Sliema, and
caters for all markets and tastes vary from the 5-star Hilton to
simple 1-star pensions. The best swimming in the area is at St
George's Bay, mostly from the rocks, but there is a narrow, sandy
beach. Water sports are readily available; one side of the bay is
dominated by a good lido, popular with younger visitors and having
many facilities. Paceville and Spinola Bay offer a substantial
choice of shops with a wide variety of goods. St Julians boasts
the widest variety of dining and eating out choices on the island,
with everything from fast food to intimate gourmet restaurants.
Public Transport There are regular, frequent buses from the
terminus on the edge of Paceville, however many of the hotels in
the area offer car hire facilities and parking.
Bugibba Information
Bugibba and inner Qawra are extremely popular with the
budget-conscious, particularly older couples. Located 18km North
West of Valletta and 20km from the airport on the North East Coast
between St Julian's and Mellieha. St Paul's Bay is Malta's largest
popular summer resort and is divided into 4 areas offering good
views of St. Paul's Bay and its islands - Xemxija, The old town,
Bugibba, and Qawra. Bugibba is a picturesque fishing harbour with
a variety of tourist amenities that sprawl along the bustling
seafront promenade including shops, bars, and cafes. Bugibba has
no sandy beaches, however there is good bathing from large, flat
rocks or the hotels' seaside lidos. The nearest sandy beaches are
at Mellieha Bay or Golden Bay, 9km from Bugibba. Bugibba has
several beach bars and there are excellent water sports facilities
available in the resort. At night the resort offers a selection of
discos and karaoke bars, tourist cafes and simple restaurants
serving everything from traditional English dishes to Maltese
specialities. The larger hotels hold barbecues and entertainment.
There may not be an abundance of plush boutiques, but it is a
great place for souvenir shopping. There are frequent buses to
most parts of the island from the Bugibba bus terminus.
Quawra Information Part of the St
Paul's Bay area on the north east of the island, Qawra is a busy
modern resort that has developed on the headland separating it
from Salina Bay. Still growing, it is popular with locals and
tourists alike who like to stroll along the seafront promenade or
just chill out in the pavement cafes. Swimming and watersports are
available from the large flat rocks jutting into the sea or from
the hotels' lidos dotted along the front. Nearby Bugibba is the
base of a good diving school as well as offering boat excursions
around the island. With upmarket shops and numerous restaurants
and bars, Qawra has a more relaxed night-life scene, but walk a
few minutes round the bay into Bugibba and you will find a party
atmosphere with bright lights, karaoke bars and discos.
Sliema Information
Sliema is the largest and most modern town in Malta, located
across the bay from Valetta. A popular and upmarket resort with a
thriving harbour and 5 kilometres of waterfront, it is suitable
for families and couples looking for a good base from which to
sightsee and for excellent swimming from the flat, golden rocks
below the seafront promenade. There are large shallow rock pools,
ideal for children and some hotels have their own private lidos
where watersports are offered. The "Ferries" shopping area has a
wide selection of designer boutiques and upscale jewellery stores
or for Maltese handicrafts such as lace and silverware, there are
an abundance of local shops all within walking distance. As night
falls, the promenade is popular for evening strolls and there are
beautiful views across the bay to the floodlit buildings of
Valetta. For evening entertainment, sample the relaxing atmosphere
in the numerous bars and restaurants offering a wide choice of
cuisine from around the globe or check out the dancing in the
night-clubs and hotels.
Mellieha Bay Information
The hilltop village of Mellieha is situated on the north of Malta
and has one of the few sandy beaches on the island itself.
Originally settled in the 18th century, the village has grown into
a modern development of shops and cafes to cater for the tourists
visiting the bay below. The views from the hilltop are
spectacular, looking down on the sands and clear shallow water
beckoning from below. The main road from the village winds
downhill into the resort itself where you can enjoy the water
sports and numerous beach bars or just lazing in the sun. All
types of restaurants can be found in the village and along the
beach, and at night you can find a few lively bars or more
organised entertainment in the hotels themselves. Mellieha is an
ideal resort for those seeking peace and relaxation.. There is
local transport into nearby St Paul's Bay and beyond to Valletta,
which is over an hour away. |
