Sliema Things to Do

Just a few reminders of Sliema's past can be seen on the promenade. This church, just past Sliema ferries, is one of them with its facade and dome sandwiched between more modern tourist developments. In 1908 this Nazzarenu Church was given to the dominican friars and became a parish church in 1973 - one of 4 in Sliema.

From the water there are lovely views of Sliema with the colourful boats in its harbour. Sliema has numerous hotels lining its promendade and the centre has a variety of restaurants and a cosmopoltan shopping centre - you'll even find Marks and Spencer here!

Manoel Island is known in Maltese as II-Gzira, which gives the name to this area adjacent to Sliema, and means The Island. The Island, 0.5 sq. km, in area, lies in Marsamxett Bay between Sliema Creek on the Sliema side, and Lazzaretto Creek to the south.Manoel Island was used as a quarantine Island by the knights of St John - an isolation enclave against the plague and the infectious diseases that were rampant in those days. In 1643 the Knights built a quarantine hospital and a Lazzaretto on its southern flank, and the creek became the quarantine harbour. Galleys and ships arriving from plague-infected ports spent several days in those waters while their crew were housed at the Lazzaretto. In more recent years this hospital was used as a submarine base during WW2.

In 1726, Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena realised that Manoel Island could utilise its strategic position and military importance for the defence of western Valletta. Fort Manoel was built here for this very purpose. It was completed in 1726 in baroque style, one of the most remarkable military buildings in Europe. Its massive walls embraced a large Place d'Armes encircled by two tiers of arched barracks, which could accommodate 500 men.

The scenic tree-lined promenade is well laid out with plenty of benches too where you can rest and take in the views looking across to Valletta. It makes for a lovely stroll and you can walk in both directions into Valletta or St Julians and beyond if you have the time.

Walking along the promenade in the direction of St Julians public art work is often displayed. This one was called White Shadow - it show cut outs of people and is best viewed looking towards the sea. I preferred it to the one by Spinola Bay - the Love Reflection art work that doesn't work :-S

Right at the end of Sliema seafront, almost where it becomes St. Julians is a small park/garden area. I thought that I saw or read somewhere that is called the Peace Gardens, though I can find no record of that now. Anyway, it is there...
There’s gardens, fountains, ponds, bridges, shaded seating areas and children’s playgrounds all set beside the sea overlooking St Julian’s Bay and across to Paceville. In the picture here you can see the Casino of the Westin Dragonara on the tip of Dragonara Point in the distance. The gardens are a haven for stray cats and there are some real beauties in there and for the most part they look quite healthy. In the evenings especially you will usually find people out in the park feeding the cats.

At Festa time the church whose patron saint is being celebrated is highly decorated with statues, banners, flags and lights. It’s all a bit garish at times and looks more like Blackpool illuminations. This church (The Church Of The Sacred Heart) at Sliema wasn’t too bad though and its statues and flags looked quite attractive.