Overview
Sliema is a regional capital in Malta.
About 23,000 people live here.
On the map it sits in Europe, in the northern hemisphere.
Malta International Airport (MLA) is the closest airport, roughly 8 km away.
Key facts
| Country | Malta |
|---|---|
| Population | 22,591 |
| Timezone | Europe/Malta |
| Nearest airport | Malta International Airport (MLA), 8 km |
| Currency | EUR |
Where Sliema is
Sliema sits in Malta, in the northern part of Europe.
Valletta lies about 2 km to the south-east, San Pawl il-Baħar lies about 9 km to the north-west and Birkirkara lies about 4 km to the south-west.
Getting there
The usual way in is to fly. Your nearest airport is Malta International Airport (MLA), roughly 8 km away.
Alternative gateways include Comiso Airport (CIY, 121 km).
Use the Find flights link to search live fares for your dates.
Find flights to Sliema →arrives MLA (7.5 km away)
Getting around
It is small enough to walk end to end; a car or taxi helps for anything beyond the centre. If you drive, remember traffic here keeps to the left.
Best time to visit
The climate here is broadly temperate (northern hemisphere): four clear seasons, with warm summers and cool-to-cold winters.
For most visitors the shoulder seasons — roughly April to June and September to October — offer warm-enough weather without the peak-summer crowds, while high summer (June to August) is busiest.
Reasons to visit
A few reasons Sliema is worth your time: a handy base for the surrounding area, with several places within day-trip reach; straightforward access by air through MLA.
Day trips & nearby
For day trips, several places sit within easy reach: Valletta (2 km to the south-east); San Pawl il-Baħar (9 km to the north-west); Birkirkara (4 km to the south-west); Mosta (7 km to the west); Qormi (5 km to the south-west).
Good to know
The currency is the EUR (Euro).
The main language spoken is English.
Clocks run on Europe/Malta time.
Traffic drives on the left.
How long to stay
For a first visit, allow 3–5 days to see the main sights at a comfortable pace.
Where to stay in Sliema
Hotels are booked on Booking.com (a third party, off this page). You book and pay them directly — Head Your Way is not the seller.
Getting around Sliema
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Common questions
- What is the nearest airport to Sliema?
- Malta International Airport (MLA) is the closest airport, about 8 km away.
- When is the best time to visit Sliema?
- Late spring to early autumn is usually the most reliable window.
- What is near Sliema?
- Valletta is one of the closest places, about 2 km away, with others within day-trip range.
- Which country is Sliema in?
- Sliema is in Malta.
On the map
Keep exploring
Nearby places
Similar destinations
Plan the wider trip
Sources & method
- GeoNames — population · retrieved 2026-09-18
- OurAirports (derived) — nearestAirports · retrieved 2026-09-18
- Imagery — Wikimedia Commons
Data compiled 2026-09-18 · editorial checks: passed. See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.