Sliema Things to Do

The old Seawater distillery was built in 1881 and it was the very first such factory in Malta. Getting fresh drinking-water was always one of the main problems of the island, but this distillery was used only for quite a short period. You will find this historical building next to the church of Jesus of Nazareth.

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I really spent a lot of time on the balcony of my room in Hotel Milano Due because it was great to watch the sun rising or when a large cruiseship was going to sail into the harbour of Valetta, like you will see it here in my last photo !
I think it was really worth to pay a bit more for a room facing the waterfront directely and not only side-wards with 5 baloconies in a row next to each other, where only the 1st one has a tiny bit of a view from the backside of a sidestreet.
b.t.w. at the beginning of November I payed here 31 euros for the single-use of a doubleroom, breakfast included.

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Manoel Island used to be the island, where explosives and gunpowder was stored and there are several forts as well. Fort Manoel was built like a star and it dates back to 1725. There is a bridge nowadays to the island, but I just had a look at it from the distance, I simply did not have enough time to explore every part of Sliema.

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"The Strand" is the name of the great boulevard along the coastline of Sliema and Gzira, a great area to relax and enjoy the great panorama with boats and La Valetta in the background. Most of the sightseeing buses start from here or have at least a station there, where you can join the tours and a ferryboat is sailing on a regular basis from the Strand to Valetta.

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The Church of Jesus of Nazareth is the large church that you will see when walking along the promenade "The Strand" towards Fort Tigne. Take a look inside,it has some interesting details in architecture, but unfortunately it is closed the most time of the day.
The church is open for visitors from 06.30-09.30am and then again from 05.00 -07.45pm. In these times there are mostly also church-services going on.
Sunday-mass is: 07.00 + 08.30 + 10.00 + 11.30am + 07.00pm

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Tigne Fort dates back to 1792 and it was built by the Knights of St. John in order to defend La Valletta in a perfect combination with Fort St Elmo at the other side of the bay.
At the moment there are some restaurantions going on, so I could see it only through the fence. The walk to the fort is also worth the time for a great view of La Valetta.

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Manoel island is an island in Marsamxett Harbour, where Sliema Creek is. It is now linked to the mainland by a bridge. This island is very interesting because it is the home of four interesting ruins – which in 2010 were being restored after having been bombed during WWII.

The first of these sights is Fort Manoel, an 18th century fortification built by the Knights of St. John and shaped like a star. It owes its name to the Portuguese Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena who had it built between 1723 and 1755.

The second sight is the Polverista, an unusual building that served as storage for gunpowder and ammunitions. But which was occasionally used as a canteen and chapel, too. You can also see the Casemates, whose vaulted ceiling protected soldiers and their artillery. Finally you have the very charming Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua

The church of Jesus of Nazareth was built by Marchese Ermolao Zimmermann Barbaro di San Giorgio and it was dedicated on 2 July 1895;. In 1908 the church, usually called "In-Nazzarenu", was handed over to the Dominican Friar, which worked on its enlargement. In 1973 it became a parish church. There are 4 parish churches in Sliema, the others being Stella Maris, the Sacred Heart and St Gregory.

The church is open every day 6.30am - 9.30am and 5pm - 7.45pm. Mass
Sundays and Feast Days is at 7.00, 8.30, 10.00, 11.30., 19.00pm, Weekdays at 7.00, 8.00, 9.00, 18.30 (winter) and 19.00 (summer)