Is St Julian's good for families?

St Julian's has two distinct sides: the Spinola Bay and Balluta Bay area is family-friendly with restaurants, cafes, and a calm atmosphere. Paceville (the nightlife district) is not suitable for families at night. Families staying in St Julian's should base themselves near Spinola Bay.

What is Paceville in Malta?

Paceville is Malta's main nightlife district, located within St Julian's. It's a concentrated area of bars, clubs, and restaurants that gets very busy Thursday to Sunday nights. It's popular with younger travellers and English language students.

Is St Julian's expensive?

St Julian's is one of Malta's more expensive areas, especially for accommodation and restaurants along the waterfront. However, there are options at all price points. Eating one street back from the waterfront typically costs significantly less than the tourist-facing restaurants.

How far is St Julian's from Valletta?

St Julian's is about 10km from Valletta. By bus (routes 12, 13, 14, 16) it takes 20-30 minutes. By car it's 15 minutes. There's also a regular ferry service between Sliema (adjacent to St Julian's) and Valletta, which takes 10 minutes.

Spinola Bay is the most picturesque part of St Julian's — a small bay lined with traditional Maltese fishing boats (luzzus), waterfront restaurants, and cafes. It's particularly beautiful at dusk when the lights reflect on the calm water. It's the best area for an evening stroll and dinner.

St Julian's Malta: Complete Neighbourhood Guide (2026)

St Julian's Malta: The Island's Most Vibrant Neighbourhood

St Julian's (San Ġiljan in Maltese) is where Malta comes alive after dark — and increasingly, during the day too. A coastal town about 10km north of Valletta, it's the most cosmopolitan part of the island: a mix of waterfront restaurants, boutique hotels, English language schools, and the concentrated nightlife district of Paceville.

It's not the most authentically Maltese place on the island, but it's one of the most convenient bases for exploring. For a contrast to St Julian's energy, Mdina — the Silent City — is just 20 minutes away by car and feels like a different world, but it's one of the most convenient bases for exploring, and Spinola Bay — the heart of St Julian's — is genuinely one of Malta's most beautiful spots at dusk.

Spinola Bay: The Best Part of St Julian's

Spinola Bay is the postcard image of St Julian's: a small, sheltered bay lined with colourful luzzu fishing boats, their reflections shimmering in the calm water at night. The surrounding promenade is lined with restaurants and cafes, and the atmosphere in the evening is relaxed and genuinely pleasant.

The best time to visit Spinola Bay is around sunset — the light on the water and the boats is spectacular, and the restaurants start filling up with a mix of locals and visitors. It's one of the best spots in Malta for an evening stroll followed by dinner.

Paceville: Malta's Nightlife District

Paceville is a small, concentrated area of bars and clubs that represents the vast majority of Malta's nightlife. It gets very busy on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, particularly in summer. The crowd is young — a mix of tourists, English language students, and local Maltese in their twenties.

If you're looking for a quiet evening, Paceville is not the place. But if you want to understand the social side of Malta and meet people from across Europe, it's an experience worth having at least once.

Balluta Bay

A short walk from Spinola Bay, Balluta Bay is a small rocky beach with a distinctive Art Deco building (the Balluta Buildings) overlooking it. It's a popular local swimming spot and much quieter than the main tourist areas. The promenade around Balluta Bay is good for an early morning walk.

Where to Eat in St Julian's

St Julian's has the widest range of restaurants in Malta — from high-end seafood to casual pasta, pizza, and international cuisine. The waterfront restaurants in Spinola Bay are the most scenic but also the most expensive. Eating one or two streets back from the water typically costs 30-40% less for similar quality.

For the best value, look for restaurants on St George's Road or the streets behind Spinola Bay. For a special occasion, the waterfront tables at Spinola Bay are worth the premium.

Getting Around from St Julian's

St Julian's is well connected by bus to the rest of Malta. Routes 12, 13, 14, and 16 run to Valletta in 20-30 minutes. The ferry from adjacent Sliema to Valletta takes 10 minutes and is a more pleasant option in good weather. For Gozo, the ferry from Cirkewwa (30 minutes by bus) runs frequently.

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