While Valletta is an ancient, fortified city, steeped in the history of the knights who were responsible for the Malta you see today, St Julian’s was created for tourists’ maximum enjoyment, with five-star hotels, a seafront promenade lined with bars, and Paceville, the country’s main nightlife district. It’s like a Maltese Puerto Banús and has become incredibly popular in recent years.
- History of St Julian’s
- Paceville
- Spinola Bay
- Spinola Palace
- Seafront Promenade
- Other places to visit
- Where to eat
History of St Julian’s
St Julian’s was originally a small fishing village where Malta’s wealthy families built their holiday homes, leading to its rapid growth in the 20th century.
Because it’s just slightly north of Valletta, many hotel chains chose it as the location for their five-star hotels, and the arrival of tourists soon meant restaurants, bars, shops, and businesses quickly opened to provide the new arrivals with everything they might need.
Today, it’s one of the most modern, developed cities in Malta but it still has an old centre around the church of St Julian’s. And it also has the charming luzzi, the island’s traditional colourful boats, which sail to the rhythm of the Mediterranean across Spinola Bay.
Paceville
This is the biggest nightlife hotspot in both St Julian’s and Malta. Its streets are packed with buzzing bars, restaurants, and nightclubs (and not just during summer).
Paceville is famous for having a youthful vibe by day and night, and alongside its hotels you’ll also find shopping centres, bowling alleys and cinemas.
A couple of casinos have even recently opened in the neighbourhood and have proven to be popular among tourists and locals.
The only sandy beach in St Julian’s, St George’s Bay Beach, is nearby and is usually thronging with young people, especially at night.
Spinola Bay
This is one of the most charming spots in St Julian’s and the port is filled with Malta’s traditional, colourful boats. This part of the city also has one of the prettiest sunsets, as light reflects off the sea and the boats bob to the motion of the waves.
The fishing boats are painted with the famous eye of Osiris or Horus ‒ according to legend, it protected everyone in the boat and guaranteed their safe return to land.
Spinola Bay is home to St Julian’s famous love sculpture: LOVE written backwards in giant letters so it can be read correctly when it’s reflected in the sea, or in its shadow, depending on the time of day you visit the monument.
Spinola Palace
This 17th century palace was built on the orders of Fra Paolo Rafel Spinola, a knight of the Order of St John, who gave his name to this incredible building and the whole bay.
It isn’t open to visitors, but after refurbishment work its gardens have become a magical place with fantastic views over St Julian’s, and you can also admire the palace’s impressive façade. Spinola Palace stands atop a hill that was once agricultural land set back from the sea.
Seafront Promenade
This is one of the main attractions in St Julian’s and it runs along the coast from Paceville to Sliema. It’s a great route to explore on foot, bicycle or roller-skates, and it takes in both Spinola and Balluta bays, the two most important maritime areas in the city.
The six-kilometre paved promenade starts at Cuba Café in the nightlife area. It’s lined with terraces and restaurants so you can stop for a drink or snack as often as you’d like. One essential sight along the way is St Julian’s Tower, a defensive fortification that was built by the Knights of Malta.
Other places to visit
Interesting historical buildings in St Julian’s include the parish church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Balluta Bay. The original building dates from the19th century and its impressive façade has been rebuilt several times, always maintaining the original design. Carmelite monks have preserved the treasures that lie within and kept devotion for the Our Lady of Mount Carmel alive in the town.
The Business Tower skyscraper is another popular attraction, and it soars skywards in one of the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods. The tower stands 98 m tall and opened in 2001. Nivel 22, one of St Julian’s most luxurious clubs, is on the top floor and has spectacular views.
Portomaso Marina is nearby, where the biggest, most expensive yachts moor, in close reach of the island’s largest casino, Portomaso, and luxury hotels such as the Hilton.
Where to eat
St Julian’s is the tourist resort in Malta with the most options when it comes to choosing a restaurant and type of food. Lore&Fitch is highly recommended ‒ it’s famous for its meat, and serves a fantastic steak Florentine that goes down well with a glass of wine.
The Avenue in Triq Gort is another popular choice, especially because its various rooms are all decorated in different styles, and it’s reasonably priced considering its location. Here you can order meat and fish dishes, and delicious pizza.
Another easy option is to take a stroll along the seafront promenade and find a seat at one of the terraces along your way.
