9 Absolute Best Things To Do In St Julians, Malta

Last Updated on 7 November 2022

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What to do in St Julians, Malta?

Located on the east coast of Malta, St Julians is one of the buzziest towns on the island. It’s a hotspot for travellers but despite its popularity it still retains its Mediterranean charm. You’ll still see remnants of old Maltese fishing village life around St Julians, charmingly intertwined with a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere. St Julian’s is the perfect base for any Malta itinerary, given its abundance of bars, restaurants, attractions, and close proximity to the capital of Valletta. To help you get the most out of your trip, here are 9 of the absolute best things to do in St Julians, Malta!

1. See the Luzzu boats at Spinola Bay

Located in the heart of St Julians, Spinola bay is probably one of the most famous places in Malta. With it’s population of colourful Maltese Luzzu fishing boats, Spinola Bay is a picture-perfect area that you’re likely to have seen featured in travel guides and brochures! One of the best things to do in St Julians, Malta, is to enjoy a stroll along the winding promenade that sweeps around the edge of Spinola Bay! Lined with an abundance of restaurants and bars, Spinola Bay has something to suit all budgets and tastes, and it’s social atmosphere makes it a lovely place to dine or enjoy a Cisk (Maltese beer).

Tip: One of the best spots I found to enjoy a cold drink was The Dubliner – an Irish Bar with a small amount of outdoor seating from which you can enjoy the views over Spinola Bay.

2. Party it up in Paceville

If you’re looking for nightlife in St Julians, then you won’t have to look very far as it is home to the epicentre of all Maltese nightlife – Paceville. Bursting at the seams with bars, restaurants and nightclubs, Paceville is an electric district of St Julians where the good times flow. If you fancy a tamer evening out away from the hustle and bustle, you’re probably going to prefer a quiet drink in Spinola Bay over rowdy Paceville. But if you want to dance the night away on your trip to Malta, an evening spent in Paceville might be for you!

Tip: One of the top tips on how to travel cheap in Europe is to travel off peak! I travelled to St Julians, Malta, in November which allowed me to find cheaper accommodation and flights!

3. Get the ferry to Valletta

Deviating a little further afield but still one of the top things to do whilst staying in St Julians is a day trip to the capital of Malta – the charming city of Valletta. Valletta is a fortified city full of Baroque architecture, fountains, sculptures, gardens, bistros and bars, and boulevard streets lined with a mixture of high-end and independent shops. And it’s close proximity to St Julians makes it an essential trip during any stay in the town. It’s located just a ~20 minute drive or a ~30 minute walk to Sliema ferry terminal (then 10 minute ferry ride from there) from St Julian’s, so there’s no excuse not to visit! Check out this detailed how to get from St Julians to Valletta guide for all the information you need!

Tip: One of the best ways to get around Malta is to use eCabs – the Uber of the island. So if you don’t fancy the ~30 minute walk from St Julian’s to Sliema ferry terminal, grab a taxi!

4. See Balluta Bay and the Carmelite Church

Not far from Spinola Bay you’ll find the quieter inlet of Balluta Bay. Balluta Bay is one of the top places for swimming in St Julians, when on low tide a small section of sandy beach is exposed, and it’s also popular with snorkelers, sunbathers and divers too. There are various cafes where you can stop to enjoy a frothy coffee and you’ll also find an outdoor swimming pool here which is home to a Water Polo team. Clung to the edge of Balluta Bay and overlooking its blue waters, you’ll find the Carmelite Church (also known as Balluta Parish Church). The Carmelite Church is a neo-gothic style Roman Catholic church which was built in 1859, and looks particularly spectacular when lit up of an evening.

5. Eat pancakes at Shoreditch Bar and Kitchen

One of the best places to eat in St Julians has to be Shoreditch Bar and Kitchen. You won’t find local dishes here, as it’s more of a diner where you can find dirty burgers, fries and good beer. But the real star of the show and the reason Shoreditch Bar and Kitchen is one of the best things to do in St Julians, Malta, is because of it’s pancakes! Here you can indulge in the sweetest and naughtiest American-style pancake stacks, smothered in all types of guilty pleasures like chocolate sauces, ice cream and syrup!

Tip: If you can’t finish all of your pancakes because they are big portions, ask to take the remainder away!

6. Have a beach day at St George’s Bay

Located a stones throw from the nightlife mecca of Paceville is St George’s Bay. A visit to St George’s bay is one of the best things to do in St Julians, Malta, if you fancy a beach day full of swimming and sunbathing. St George’s Bay is home to a sandy Blue Flag beach. And you’ll also find a large cluster of hotels, restaurants and shops around this area too, along with facilities like toilets! You can rent umbrellas nearby, and the Blue Flag season for St George’s Beach runs every year from 15th June-15th September.

7. Do a day trip to Comino and Gozo

Not located in St Julians, but nevertheless one of the things you must do during any stay in the town is a day trip to Comino and Gozo with Sea Adventure Excursions. Located in amongst Malta and Gozo is the (mostly) uninhabited island of Comino which is one of the most unique places to visit in Europe! Here you will find the famous Blue Lagoon which boasts crystal clear waters for swimming and snorkelling and is one of Europe’s natural wonders!

After a stop at Comino you’ll sail across to the island of Gozo – the second largest island in the Maltese Archipelago. Here you’ll have the opportunity to do some sightseeing in the capital of Victoria (known locally as Ir-Rabat). Victoria is home to the Citadel – an ancient fortification which historically guarded against attacks. And in the streets beneath the Citadel you’ll find picturesque lanes and sociable squares making Victoria one of the best summertime city break destinations in Europe!

8. Walk the promenade – One of the best things to do in St Julians, Malta

Beginning in St George’s Bay and ending in Sliema, walking the promenade is one of the best ways to explore St Julians. Stretching for kilometers and going via some of the main St Julians attractions such as Spinola Bay and Balluta Bay, the promenade is a magnet for joggers and wanderers alike. Offering stunning coastal views, it is one of the top things to do in St Julians, Malta, and is best completed by taking a slow stroll stopping at various cafes and restaurants along the way to refuel! Upon finishing in Sliema, why not head to Tony’s Bar for a well-earned drink?

9. Shop at Bay Street Shopping Centre

If you fancy some retail therapy on your Malta vacation, then one of the best things to do in St Julians is to spend an afternoon at Bay Street Shopping Centre. Nestled in amongst St George’s Bay and Paceville, Bay Street Shopping Centre is a complex full of shops and eateries which offers both indoor and outdoor shopping. You’ll find a range of brands here, so if you’re a shop ’til you drop type of person, it is probably somewhere you’ll want to visit during your stay in St Julians!

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