St Julian's vs Sliema vs St Paul's Bay vs Mellieħa: Thomas's Honest Malta Area Guide

Where to Stay in Malta: Thomas's Honest Area Guide

By Thomas, Product Manager — GotoBeach Malta

Malta is a small island — roughly 27 kilometres long and 14 kilometres wide — but do not let its size fool you. Where you choose to stay shapes your entire experience. The difference between a week in St Julian's and a week in Mellieha is not simply a matter of geography. It is a matter of atmosphere, pace, noise level, proximity to nightlife, beach access and the type of holiday you are actually going to have.

I have stayed in all four of Malta's main resort areas on product inspection trips over the years, and I am frequently asked by our customers which area is right for them. The honest answer is that there is no single correct answer — but there is a correct answer for each type of traveller. This guide is my attempt to give you that answer as clearly and honestly as I can.

St Julian's: The Island's Energy Centre

If you want to be at the heart of everything Malta has to offer in terms of entertainment, dining and hotel choice, St Julian's is your area. It is the most internationally connected resort district on the island — home to virtually every major global hotel brand, the finest collection of restaurants, and the kind of after-dark energy that most of the rest of Malta simply cannot match.

At the centre of it all is Paceville — Malta's famous nightlife district, where the bars along the main street remain open until the early hours and the atmosphere on a weekend evening is unlike anything else on the island. This is not a quiet corner of the Mediterranean. It is a genuinely lively urban entertainment district, and for travellers who want that energy, it delivers.

Beyond Paceville, St Julian's offers considerably more depth than its nightlife reputation might suggest. The Dragonara Casino and Casino Malta are both here — two of the finest casino experiences available in the Mediterranean. The Eden leisure complex is one of the largest and most comprehensive entertainment centres in Malta, with bowling, gaming and a full entertainment programme. And along the Spinola Bay waterfront, there is a collection of restaurants ranging from casual seafood to genuinely excellent fine dining that rivals anything in the capital.

The hotel offering in St Julian's is the strongest on the island. The InterContinental Malta, the Hyatt Centric, the Westin Dragonara, the Hilton and the newly opened voco Malta are all here — properties that operate at an international standard and offer the full range of facilities that guests of major hotel brands expect. If you want a large, well-equipped hotel with a pool, a spa, multiple restaurants and a concierge who can get things done, St Julian's is where you will find it.

There is also a small sandy beach — St George's Bay — tucked within the resort area. It is modest in scale but perfectly pleasant, and it gives St Julian's a genuine beach option that Sliema, for example, cannot offer.

The Honest Limitation

St Julian's is not for guests who value peace and quiet. The noise from Paceville — particularly on weekend nights — is real and unavoidable in parts of the area. Light sleepers and guests seeking a tranquil Mediterranean atmosphere will find St Julian's demanding. If you want nightlife on your doorstep, this is an advantage. If you want to sleep before midnight, it requires careful hotel selection.

Sliema: The Refined Alternative

Sliema is, in my assessment, one of the most underrated holiday destinations in Malta — and one of the most frequently misunderstood. It is not a beach resort. It is not a nightlife destination. What it is, however, is the most genuinely cosmopolitan and liveable area on the island — a place where the quality of the everyday experience is consistently high.

The waterfront promenade — the Sliema Front — is one of Malta's great simple pleasures. A long, well-maintained seafront walkway lined with cafés, restaurants and bars, it connects Sliema to the Gzira neighbourhood and offers uninterrupted views across the harbour towards Valletta. The light on this stretch of coastline in the early evening, with the golden limestone of the capital glowing on the opposite shore, is genuinely beautiful.

The hotel offering in Sliema is predominantly boutique in character — smaller properties with more personality, often occupying converted townhouses or purpose-built buildings with harbour views and a more intimate scale than the resort hotels of St Julian's. There are exceptions: the Maritim Antonine Hotel, the Barcelo Fortina and the Marriott are all here, offering larger-scale facilities for guests who need them. But the general character of Sliema's accommodation is refined and small-scale rather than resort-style.

The restaurant and bar scene along the Sliema–St Julian's border is, in my view, the finest dining corridor in Malta. The concentration of quality restaurants in this area — fine dining, casual Italian, excellent seafood — is exceptional, and the standard of cooking at the better establishments is genuinely impressive by any Mediterranean standard. For a full guide to the island's best restaurants and nightlife, visit our Malta Nightlife and Gastronomy Guide.

For guests on shorter stays — three nights, a long weekend, a city break — Sliema offers an outstanding combination of location, quality and character. It is well connected to Valletta by ferry and to the rest of the island by bus, making it an excellent base for exploring without the noise and intensity of St Julian's.

The Honest Limitation

Sliema has no sandy beach. The swimming here is from rocky platforms and lido areas along the promenade — perfectly enjoyable and with excellent water quality, but not the same experience as a sandy beach resort. Guests for whom beach access is a primary motivation should look at Mellieha or St Paul's Bay instead.

St Paul's Bay and Qawra: The Family Resort Heartland

I have always treated St Paul's Bay and Qawra as a single resort area — they are adjacent, connected, and together form the largest concentration of hotel infrastructure outside St Julian's. The combined area offers something that neither St Julian's nor Sliema can quite match: a genuine resort environment with all the facilities and entertainment that implies, in a setting that is considerably more family-oriented and less frenetic than Paceville.

The hotel offering here is excellent and varied. The db San Antonio Hotel & Spa — one of our most consistently booked Malta properties — is here, with its rooftop infinity pool, six restaurants and comprehensive all inclusive programme. The Qawra Palace Resort & Spa, the DoubleTree by Hilton, and the AX Odycy Resort all add significant leisure infrastructure to the area, giving families and couples a range of options at every price point.

The dining scene in St Paul's Bay is the second strongest on the island after St Julian's. The Carvv Grill & Enoteca at the DoubleTree by Hilton is one of the finest steakhouses in Malta — a genuinely impressive dining experience that I would recommend to any serious food lover staying in the area. Beyond the hotels, there are good independent restaurants and a broad selection of bars along the waterfront that keep the evenings lively without the intensity of Paceville.

The beach situation in St Paul's Bay is honest rather than beautiful. The coastline here is predominantly rocky, but the majority of hotels have invested in purpose-built lido platforms that provide direct sea access — and the water quality is excellent. For families in particular, St Paul's Bay offers a combination that works well: good hotels with pools and entertainment, a lively-enough dining and bar scene for the adults, and a pace of life that is more manageable than St Julian's.

The Honest Limitation

St Paul's Bay and Qawra are not the most scenic parts of Malta. The built environment is predominantly functional rather than characterful, and guests arriving with expectations of picturesque Maltese village life will find this part of the island somewhat commercial. The area rewards guests who engage with its hotel facilities and restaurant scene rather than those who want to wander and explore.

Mellieha: Malta's Most Characterful Resort Town

Mellieha is where I personally feel most at home in Malta — and I say that as a professional observation rather than a sentimental one. It is the only major resort area on the island that manages to feel like a genuinely Maltese place rather than an international tourist resort. The hilltop town, with its narrow streets, small cafés, parish church and unhurried pace of life, gives guests a connection to the real Malta that the other resort areas, for all their considerable merits, cannot quite replicate.

The accommodation in Mellieha is more limited than in St Julian's or St Paul's Bay, but it includes some genuinely excellent properties. The Maritim Antonine Hotel, the Pergola Hotel & Spa and the Solana Hotel are all here, offering a range of options for guests who want a quieter, more relaxed base. Just beyond the Mellieha boundary, in the Marfa Bay area, the Ramla Bay Resort and the Riviera Resort offer all inclusive holidays in what are, in my view, the most peaceful and scenically beautiful settings available anywhere on the island. It is worth noting that the Riviera Resort is an adults-only property — an important distinction for families.

The restaurant scene in Mellieha is more modest than in St Julian's or St Paul's Bay, but it has its highlights. The Al Ponte Pizzeria & Restaurant at the Maritim Antonine Hotel is, genuinely, one of the best Italian restaurants in Malta. For guests who take their pizza seriously — and I do — it is worth the visit regardless of where you are staying.

Mellieha Bay is the most important practical advantage this area holds over all others. It is the largest sandy beach in Malta — a genuine, wide, sandy beach with shallow water, good facilities and the kind of seaside atmosphere that the rest of the island's predominantly rocky coastline simply cannot offer. For families with young children, for guests for whom a real sandy beach is non-negotiable, Mellieha is the only serious option in Malta.

The Honest Limitation

Mellieha's relative isolation — it sits at the northern end of the island, roughly 20 to 25 minutes by road from St Julian's — means that spontaneous exploration of the island's main entertainment districts requires planning and transport. Guests who want everything within walking distance will find Mellieha less convenient than the central resort areas.

The Honest Comparison: Who Should Book Where

Rather than ranking these areas — which would be misleading, since they serve genuinely different needs — I would frame the choice as follows.

Choose St Julian's if energy, entertainment and hotel infrastructure are your priority. If you want the finest hotels, the best nightlife, casino access, a broad restaurant choice and the convenience of everything within walking distance, St Julian's is unmatched on the island.

Choose Sliema if atmosphere, character and quality of the everyday experience matter more to you than resort facilities or beach access. If you are on a shorter stay, if you are travelling as a couple, or if you want a base that feels genuinely cosmopolitan rather than resort-like, Sliema is the most rewarding choice.

Choose St Paul's Bay if you are travelling as a family or want a comprehensive resort experience with good hotel facilities, a lively dining and bar scene, and a pace of life that is active without being overwhelming. The hotel choice and the overall leisure offering here is the strongest family proposition on the island.

Choose Mellieha if the real Malta matters to you — the character of the town, the quality of the beach, and the peace of the northern coastline. If you have young children who need a proper sandy beach, if you want to be within walking distance of the Gozo ferry, or if you simply want to stay somewhere that feels like a place rather than a resort, Mellieha is the most distinctive and rewarding choice.

Quick Comparison: St Julian's vs Sliema vs St Paul's Bay vs Mellieha

	St Julian's	Sliema	St Paul's Bay	Mellieha
Nightlife	Excellent	Moderate	Good	Limited
Beach access	Small sandy beach	Rocky platforms	Rocky + lidos	Malta's best sandy beach
Hotel choice	Outstanding	Good — boutique-led	Very good	More limited
All inclusive options	N/A	Very limited	Good	Good (Marfa Bay)
Restaurant quality	Excellent	N/A	Very good	Good
Casino	Yes	No	No	No
Family friendly	Limited	Limited	Very good	Excellent
Peace & quiet	Poor	Good	Moderate	Excellent
Character	International resort	Cosmopolitan	Functional resort	Authentically Maltese
Best for	Couples, groups, nightlife	Short stays, couples	Families, beach lovers, all inclusive	Families, beach lovers

How Far is Each Area from Malta Airport?

Transfer time is a practical consideration that is frequently underestimated when choosing where to stay in Malta — and it is one where the four resort areas differ quite significantly. Malta International Airport is located in Luqa, in the south of the island. From here, the distances to the main resort areas are as follows.

St Julian's — 12km, approximately 20 minutes by taxi

St Julian's is approximately 12 kilometres from Malta Airport, with a taxi transfer taking around 20 minutes in normal traffic conditions. This is one of the shortest transfers on the island, which makes St Julian's an excellent choice for guests arriving late or departing early. The direct TD2 airport bus also connects the airport to St Julian's in approximately 30 minutes and runs regularly throughout the day and night.

Sliema — 13km, approximately 20 to 25 minutes by taxi

Sliema sits at a similar distance from the airport to St Julian's — approximately 13 kilometres — with a transfer time of 20 to 25 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. The same TD2 and TD3 airport bus services connect Sliema to the airport directly, making it an equally well-connected option for guests using public transport.

St Paul's Bay — 24km, approximately 35 to 40 minutes by taxi

St Paul's Bay is approximately 24 kilometres from Malta Airport, with a taxi transfer typically taking 35 to 40 minutes. The TD5 airport bus connects the airport to the Bugibba area, though journey times by bus are longer. For families travelling with luggage, a pre-booked private transfer is the most practical option for this route.

Mellieha — 32km, approximately 40 to 50 minutes by taxi

Mellieha is approximately 32 kilometres from the airport, with a taxi or private transfer taking between 40 and 50 minutes depending on traffic conditions — longer in peak season when the roads north of the island can become congested. There is no direct airport bus to Mellieha; guests typically transfer via Bugibba or Valletta. For guests staying in the Marfa Bay area adjacent to Mellieha, the transfer time is marginally longer still.

Thomas's honest note: The transfer time difference between St Julian's and Mellieha — roughly 25 to 30 minutes each way — sounds modest on paper. Over a week's holiday, however, it adds up. For guests on short stays of three or four nights, the shorter transfer to St Julian's or Sliema is a genuine practical advantage. For guests on longer stays who are choosing Mellieha for the beach and the character of the area, the longer transfer is simply the cost of being in the right place.

Quick Airport Transfer Reference

Area	Distance	Taxi Transfer	Airport Bus
St Julian's	12km	~20 min	TD2 / TD3 — ~30 min
Sliema	13km	~20–25 min	TD2 / TD3 — ~30 min
St Paul's Bay	24km	~35–40 min	TD5 — ~45 min
Mellieha	32km	~40–50 min	Via Bugibba — 60+ min

Hotel Pricing by Area: What to Expect on a Bed & Breakfast Basis

One of the most practical questions our customers ask is how hotel pricing compares between the four resort areas. The honest answer is that the pricing landscape in Malta is more nuanced than a simple expensive-to-affordable ranking — the area you choose determines not just the price but the type of hotel experience available to you.

The figures below represent approximate nightly rates on a Bed & Breakfast basis for four and five-star hotels in peak summer season (July and August). Rates in shoulder season — May, June, September and October — are typically 20 to 35 per cent lower across all areas.

St Julian's — The Premium Market

St Julian's commands the highest hotel prices on the island, reflecting both the quality of the properties available and the demand generated by its location and entertainment offering. Four-star hotels in St Julian's typically range from £120 to £200 per room per night on a Bed & Breakfast basis in peak season. Five-star properties — the InterContinental Malta, the Westin Dragonara, the Hilton Malta, the Hyatt Centric and the recently opened voco Malta — range from £180 to £350 per room per night, with suites and premium room categories exceeding this range considerably.

The pricing premium in St Julian's is, in our assessment, largely justified by the quality and facilities of the properties available. A four-star hotel in St Julian's will typically offer more in terms of facilities, location and hotel infrastructure than a four-star equivalent elsewhere on the island.

Sliema — The Boutique Mid-Market

Sliema occupies an interesting pricing position. The majority of its accommodation is boutique in character — smaller properties with strong locations and personalities — and pricing reflects this rather than a simple market rate. Boutique four-star hotels in Sliema typically range from £95 to £160 per room per night in peak season, offering strong value for the location and atmosphere. The larger properties — the Barcelo Fortina and the Marriott — sit at the upper end of this range and into five-star territory at £150 to £250 per room per night.

For guests on shorter stays who want a high-quality base with excellent dining access, Sliema's pricing relative to what it delivers is, in my view, the best value proposition on the island.

St Paul's Bay — The Family Resort Value Zone

St Paul's Bay and Qawra represent the strongest value-for-money proposition for guests seeking large-format resort hotels with good facilities. Four-star all inclusive properties in this area — including the db San Antonio Hotel & Spa and the Qawra Palace Resort — typically start from £80 to £130 per room per night on a Bed & Breakfast basis, with all inclusive rates adding approximately £40 to £60 per person per day. The DoubleTree by Hilton sits at the upper end of the four-star market in this area at £110 to £180 per room per night.

The key pricing advantage of St Paul's Bay is that the all inclusive rates here represent genuine value — the hotels are large enough to operate the all inclusive model efficiently, and the quality of the food and facilities is strong enough to make the daily rate worthwhile.

Mellieha — The Value and the Specialist

Mellieha's pricing is the most varied of the four areas, reflecting the diversity of its hotel offering. The boutique and mid-market hotels in the town itself — the Pergola Hotel & Spa, the Solana Hotel — are among the most competitively priced four-star options anywhere on the island, typically ranging from £70 to £120 per room per night in peak season. The Maritim Antonine Hotel sits slightly above this range at £100 to £150 per room per night.

In the adjacent Marfa Bay area, the Ramla Bay Resort and the Riviera Resort Adults Only offer all inclusive rates that represent some of the best value on the island for guests seeking a beach-focused all inclusive holiday in a genuinely peaceful setting.

Thomas's honest note: Price should never be the primary driver of your area choice in Malta — the differences between areas are significant enough that a cheaper hotel in the wrong location will consistently disappoint. That said, for guests whose primary goal is a beach holiday with good all inclusive value, the combination of Mellieha Bay's sandy beach and the competitive pricing of the Marfa Bay all inclusive properties makes this part of the island genuinely compelling from a value perspective.

Price Comparison Summary: Peak Season BB Rates (per room per night)

Area	4-Star Range	5-Star Range	All Inclusive Add-On
St Julian's	£120–£200	£180–£350+	N/A
Sliema	£95–£160	£150–£250	N/A
St Paul's Bay	£80–£130	£110–£180	£40–£60 pp/day
Mellieha / Marfa Bay	£70–£150	Limited	£35–£55 pp/day

Rates are approximate peak season (July–August) averages for Bed & Breakfast board basis. All inclusive add-on rates are per person per day. Rates vary significantly by property, room type and booking date. GotoBeach recommends booking early for the best available rates.

Book Your Malta Holiday with GotoBeach

As the UK's only dedicated Malta specialist, GotoBeach offers hand-picked hotels across all four of these resort areas — selected by our product team on the basis of first-hand inspection rather than commission rates. Whether you are drawn to the energy of St Julian's, the character of Sliema, the family facilities of St Paul's Bay, or the beach and tranquillity of Mellieha, we have the right property for you.

All holidays are available with flights included from a range of UK airports, low deposits from just £30 per person, and our best price guarantee. Speak to one of our Malta specialists today — we will make sure you stay in exactly the right part of the island.

Where to Stay in Malta FAQ

Which area of Malta is best for nightlife?

St Julian's — specifically the Paceville district — is Malta's undisputed nightlife capital. The bars along the main entertainment strip remain open until the early hours, and the area offers casino access at both the Dragonara Casino and Casino Malta. St Paul's Bay is the second strongest nightlife area on the island, with a broader and more family-friendly atmosphere.

Which area of Malta is best for families?

St Paul's Bay and Mellieha are the strongest family areas. St Paul's Bay offers the best hotel infrastructure for families — large resorts with pools, entertainment and all inclusive options. Mellieha offers Malta's best sandy beach at Mellieha Bay, making it the preferred choice for families with young children who need proper beach access.

Which area of Malta has the best sandy beach?

Mellieha Bay is Malta's largest and finest sandy beach — the only resort area on the island with a genuinely wide, sandy beach with shallow water suitable for young children. Elsewhere, swimming is predominantly from rocky platforms and purpose-built lido areas, which are enjoyable but a different experience.

Is Sliema good for a short city break?

Yes — Sliema is, in our team's assessment, the ideal base for a short stay in Malta. The promenade, the boutique hotel offering, the quality of the restaurants along the Sliema–St Julian's border, and the easy ferry connection to Valletta make it the most rewarding and well-rounded short-break destination on the island.

Which area of Malta is best for all inclusive holidays?

St Paul's Bay — specifically the Qawra area — has the strongest all inclusive hotel offering in Malta's central resort districts, with properties including the db San Antonio Hotel & Spa. Mellieha and the adjacent Marfa Bay area also offer excellent all inclusive options, including the Ramla Bay Resort and the Riviera Resort (adults only).

Is St Julian's noisy at night?

Yes — honestly, it is. The Paceville nightlife district generates significant noise, particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. This is not a criticism — it is simply the nature of the area. Guests who value peace and quiet should choose a hotel positioned away from Paceville, or should consider Sliema or Mellieha instead.

How far is Mellieha from the main resort areas?

Mellieha is approximately 20 to 25 minutes by road from St Julian's and Sliema, and 15 to 20 minutes from St Paul's Bay. It is served by the public bus network, but guests who want spontaneous access to the island's main entertainment districts will find some degree of planning or taxi use necessary.

Which area of Malta is closest to the Gozo ferry?

The Marfa Bay area — immediately adjacent to Mellieha — is within walking distance of the Ċirkewwa ferry terminal. St Paul's Bay is approximately 20 minutes from the ferry by road. St Julian's and Sliema require a 40 to 60 minute transfer depending on traffic. For a full guide to Gozo, visit our dedicated destination page.

Are there good restaurants in all four areas?

Yes — though the quality and variety differs significantly. St Julian's and the Sliema–St Julian's border have the finest restaurant scene on the island. St Paul's Bay has a very good selection, including the Carvv Grill & Enoteca at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Mellieha has fewer options but includes the Al Ponte Pizzeria & Restaurant at the Maritim Antonine Hotel — one of the best Italian restaurants in Malta. For a full guide to dining on the island, visit our Malta Nightlife and Gastronomy Guide.

Which area of Malta is best for couples?

It depends on the type of couple. For couples who want energy, entertainment and excellent hotels, St Julian's is the strongest choice. For couples who prefer a more refined, quieter atmosphere with excellent dining, Sliema is outstanding. For a romantic, peaceful retreat with sea views, the Riviera Resort in Marfa Bay — an adults-only all inclusive property — is the most distinctive option on the island.

What is the cheapest area to stay in Malta?

Mellieha generally offers the most competitive hotel pricing on the island, particularly for four-star properties in the town itself. St Paul's Bay offers the best value for large-format all inclusive resorts. St Julian's is the most expensive area, though the premium is largely justified by the quality and facilities of the properties available.

How much does a 4-star hotel cost in Malta per night?

In peak season (July–August), four-star hotels in St Julian's typically range from £120 to £200 per room per night on a Bed & Breakfast basis. In Sliema, expect £95 to £160. In St Paul's Bay, £80 to £130. In Mellieha, £70 to £150. Shoulder season rates — May, June, September and October — are typically 20 to 35 per cent lower across all areas.

Is Malta expensive for hotels compared to other Mediterranean destinations?

Malta sits at a mid-range price point relative to other Mediterranean destinations. It is generally more affordable than the Algarve or the French Riviera, comparable to the Greek islands, and slightly more expensive than Turkey. The value proposition in Malta is strongest in St Paul's Bay and Mellieha, where all inclusive options deliver a high quality-to-price ratio. For our full range of Malta holidays, visit our dedicated destination page.

Editorial Disclaimer

This guide reflects the personal experience and professional assessment of Thomas, Product Manager at GotoBeach, based on first-hand visits to all four resort areas. Hotel pricing figures are approximate peak season averages and are subject to change based on availability, booking date and market conditions. Airport transfer times are estimates and may vary depending on traffic. We recommend speaking with a GotoBeach Malta specialist before booking.

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Published by GotoBeach.co.uk on 8 May 2026 — The UK’s Only Malta Specialist