Saint John City
City in Malta with rich cultural heritage
Saint John (San Ġwann) reads like a commuter suburb with small churches, local cafés and convenient access to Sliema and Valletta; visitors use it as a calm base for Malta’s bus routes and bays.
Saint John at a Glance#
Costs: Budget-friendly suburban Malta - $50-100/day; cheaper than coastal resort towns, many local eateries.
Safety: Very safe, typical Maltese suburb - low crime; quiet residential streets after dark.
Best Time: April-October - warm Mediterranean climate; busiest in summer months.
Why Visit Saint John?#
Close to Valletta’s bustle, San Ġwann appeals to travelers seeking lively neighborhood life without the tourist crush. Kappara’s cafés and small bars set a local tone, pastizzi-filled bakeries offer instant comfort, and weekend village festas bring music, fireworks and traditional processions. Good transport links make it easy to explore the island’s major sites while returning to a community atmosphere and family-run restaurants.
Best Things to Do in Saint John#
Best Time to Visit Saint John#
Visit Malta in spring (March-May) or September for warm, calm weather and fewer crowds. Winters are mild but rainy; July-August are hottest and busiest.
November - February
12°C - 16°C (54°F - 61°F)
Mild and wetter - quieter streets and lower rates, though some outdoor venues close and days can be overcast.
March - May
15°C - 23°C (59°F - 73°F)
Sunny, pleasantly warm and perfect for swimming or pacing the coast - best balance of weather and smaller crowds.
June - September
25°C - 32°C (77°F - 90°F)
Hot, busy and vibrant - peak beach season with lively nightlife but higher prices and crowded bays.
Saint John's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 10°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (533 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Saint John#
Saint John (St John’s area) is served from Malta International Airport (MLA) with quick road connections to St Julian’s, Swieqi and Msida. Public buses (Tallinja) and taxis/Bolt rides are the primary ways to reach these towns from the airport.
Malta International Airport (MLA): Malta’s sole airport serves Valletta and the northern resort towns. From the airport you can take a public bus to Valletta and other towns (journey times typically 20-40 minutes) or a taxi/Bolt straight to St John’s / St Julian’s / Swieqi (about 10-20 minutes). Airport taxi fares to the northern resort strip (St Julian’s/Swieqi) are commonly around €15-€25 depending on time and luggage.
Gozo (ferry access): If you arrive separately on Gozo, transfers back to the main island require the Gozo Channel ferry and onward land transport; however Malta International (MLA) is the main air gateway for international flights.
Train: Malta has no railway network.
Bus: Malta’s Tallinja bus network links the airport with Valletta and the main towns. Cash and Tallinja Card fares vary (single journeys typically around €2-€3 depending on route); airport-to-St Julian’s or Swieqi takes roughly 20-30 minutes by bus. Frequent bus services and short taxi rides make moving between St John’s / St Julian’s / Swieqi / Msida straightforward.
How to Get Around Saint John#
Malta is best navigated on buses and short taxi/Bolt rides; the Tallinja bus network is inexpensive and frequent for most trips. For convenience in off-hours or with luggage, taxis or ride-hailing are worth the extra cost.
- Tallinja buses (€2-€3) - The Tallinja bus network is the main public transport on Malta and connects the airport with Valletta, St Julian’s, Swieqi and Msida. Buses are frequent on main corridors but can be crowded at peak times; using a Tallinja card reduces fares. Buses stop close to most hotels and entertainment areas in St Julian’s and Swieqi.
- Taxi / Ride-hailing (Bolt) (€10-€25) - Taxis and Bolt are available from the airport and around St Julian’s and Swieqi; they are convenient for luggage and late-night trips. Fares are higher than the bus but reasonable for short distances - expect €10-€25 depending on pickup point and time of day.
- Ferry (Valletta↔Sliema) (€1.50-€2.50) - Short ferries operate between Valletta and Sliema (near St Julian’s) and are a quick, pleasant way to cross the harbour (10-15 minutes). Ferries are useful when combining a visit to Valletta with time in the resort strip but are not a direct link to Swieqi.
- Car hire / taxis for day trips (€25-€60 per day) - Hiring a car gives full flexibility for exploring the island, beaches and the north coast - parking can be tight in busy areas. For most visitors staying in St Julian’s/Swieqi, taxis or buses cover common trips without needing a rental.
- Bicycle / e-scooter rental (€6-€15 per day) - Bikes and e-scooters are available in parts of the island and can be handy for short hops inside resort areas, but roads can be busy and hilly. Use caution and stick to quieter streets where possible.
- Walking - St Julian’s, Swieqi and Msida are compact in many neighbourhoods and easily explored on foot; promenades and concentrated dining/entertainment areas are pedestrian-friendly. Walking is often the fastest way to get around locally.
Where to Stay in Saint John#
St. Julian’s / Sliema - €30-90/night
San Ġwann (Saint John) has few tourist hotels; budget travellers typically base in St. Julian’s or Sliema where hostels and cheaper hotels are concentrated.
Hotel Juliani (St. Julian’s) - Affordable sea-view rooms available.
Nearby budget-friendly options in St. Julian’s area - Varied price points, good transport links.
San Ġwann / Attard - €70-150/night
Mid-range visitors will find several comfortable hotels a short drive away, offering pools and reliable services-ideal if you want quieter neighbourhoods with quick access to Valletta.
Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa (nearby) - Comfortable rooms, spa and gardens.
Mid-range hotels in San Ġwann area - Good balance of comfort and price.
Valletta / St. Julian’s - €150+/night
There are no major five-star resorts inside San Ġwann; for luxury, stay in Valletta or St. Julian’s where full-service hotels and seaside resorts are available.
The Phoenicia Malta (Valletta) - Historic luxury, close to the harbour.
Hilton Malta (St. Julian’s) - Seaside luxury with comprehensive facilities.
Where to Eat in Saint John#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Saint John’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Saint John#
Shopping in San Ġwann is mostly small supermarkets, local boutiques and everyday services rather than tourist shopping. For a broader retail selection, nearby Sliema and Valletta offer high-street brands, malls and specialist souvenir shops. Local bakeries, grocers and weekend market stalls cover daily needs.
Nightlife in Saint John#
Nightlife in San Ġwann itself is limited to neighbourhood bars and occasional live-music nights. The town is pleasant for evening walks and casual meals, but for a lively club or bar scene you’ll head to nearby St. Julian’s (Paceville) or Sliema. Most late-night activity occurs outside San Ġwann.