Sliema is located on the northeast coast of Malta.
The Maltese name of the city (TAS-Sliema) translated approximately: "At the chapel of the Virgin of the world."
Initially, in this area there was only a small fishing village along a rocky bay. This bay (called Marsamcht) has though rocky, but flat shores and convenient access to the sea. Fishermen not in vain chose this place.
An interesting name was received by one of the capes of this bay - Cape Dragut. So called the pirate who fought during the Great siege on the side of the Turkish Armada against the Knights of the Maltese Order. And here, on the shores of this myself, he received a fatal injury.
In the middle of the XIX century, Sliema attracted Valletta's prosperous residents as a place to relax, it served as a peculiar impetus for the intensive development of the village. Then (in 1855) was built the Church of the Virgin Star Seas. Were around this church, secured Vallettsi and began to build their summer residences, since the capital of the state is weakly suitable as a resort. Slise began to grow practically in his eyes and soon "turned" to the city. At the same time, in the XIX century, the Chic Palace of Capua was built directly on the city embankment, he belonged to the most rich in Malta's noble family.
Beach holiday lovers must understand the next moment. Sliema is definitely not the most beach city in Malta . The sea coast, though the hollow, besides low, but stony, more precisely, the rocky. It is typical of almost all beaches of Slim. Honestly, the logic of those who built their summer residences here is not entirely understood. Was it really nothing better?
However, this is the matter. But on the beaches, the sand is not added. The beaches are stony (and this is not a small pebble, like in the Crimea), places concrete slabs. There are people and bathe. Nothing about the bottom of the bottom, as you understand, is not talking. In the photo Typical rocky beach Sluma.
Although, there is a very small sandy beacher here, called Exiles Beach, is located next to the restaurant "The Barracuda Restaurant".
But in general, the pleasure of resting on the rocky beaches below average, an amateur or hopelessness. And after all, you can not say that the prices for accommodation in hotels Slums is the lowest - just the opposite.
So why then Slim? Why do tourists seek here?
So historically it happened that Slim is considered the most fashionable of all resorts in Malta . Today, this city is not just a resort, as well as the commercial and shopping center of the country. Having your home or at least the apartment is very prestigious among the Maltesers.
The population of the city is small, something about 13 thousand people. But in Slime, its housing "fashionable" is not only among the local population, many foreigners also live here.
In the old part of the city, many vintage mansions have been preserved, it is necessary to stroll here and look at all this magnificence. When Maltese aristocracy lived in this area. The historic center (Rudolf Street) is slightly removed from the noisy promenade, so it is always quiet here. It seems that time stopped.
An interesting point: the names of many streets or objects of Slise are connected either with England, or with famous British. For example, Graham Street, Norfolk Street, Windsor Terrace, Prince of Wales Road, Fort Cambridge, Milner Street.
By the way, the Capua Palace called above is currently converted into a luxury hotel, and the prices for accommodation in it are considered the highest throughout Malta. But resting in it is very prestigious.
The lack of high-quality beach recreation is compensated by the fact that Sliema is, in fact, The main center of shopping on all Malta . If you are interested in shopping, then you definitely need to be in Slim. Here he is the best! On the island in general there are extremely few large shopping centers. Slise is like the main trading area of the whole country, a shopping oasis, if you can express it. Moreover, a considerable part of the stores, located along the coast on the road to Saint-Julians also relates to Slime.
When we rest in Malta, it can seem to be the impression that almost all stores and shopping centers are concentrated here. The best is probably. You can buy in Slim by all: from ordinary inexpensive things to serious brand. Even Valletta in the level of shopping is an order of magnitude behind.
In addition, Sliema is also the main resting center. Many famous and best modern Malta hotels are also located here. This is the main place where tourists visiting the archipelago stop. After all, not everyone goes to Malta for a beach holiday. Although the holiday season in these parts lasts all year round.
Special pride of Sluma residents is Embankment Tower Road . She is very beautiful, besides, it is the main pedestrian street in the whole city. It stretches long ribbon along the Marsamxett Bay (MarsamXett). The embankment boasts pure fresh Mediterranean air and magnificent views of the city harbor.
Local residents and guests of the city lovers do not rush here.
It is on Tower Road that most shops and hotels are located. And not just the majority, here are all expensive hotels in the city, as well as all brand shops and boutiques.
Slise can be viewed as a successful starting point for all sorts of trips and excursions in the island. All major attractions of Malta are very close, even on a taxi will not have very consistent. In addition, most bus routes are held here, both in the direction of Valletta and other cities and points of the island.
And the bus terminal (Sliema Bus Terminus) is located on the same embankment, next to the pier, from where the boats go to the sea walks.
I do not know, I convinced someone or not, but we ourselves chose the main holiday destination, because they planned to combine cultural and historical rest (in the sense of sightseeing) with a lazy beach holiday. And the beach wanted sandy. But on Shopping came exactly here, for no longer seen anywhere else.
Now the choice is yours!