Saint Julian's Travel Guide

Town

St. Julian’s trades in Spinola Bay’s painted boats, waterfront restaurants and late-night bars; travelers arrive for dining on fresh fish, boat trips, and the dense cluster of hotels and casinos.

Saint Julian's Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsMnajdraĦaġar QimTa' DmejrekTa' QaliTa' Ħaġrat TemplesSan Anton PalaceSkorba TemplesVerdala PalacePalazzo FerreriaTriq il-Wiesgħa TowerBuskett GardensMisraħ Għar il-KbirRoyal Opera House, VallettaĦal Saflieni HypogeumMaltaSt Paul's IslandTa' Qali National StadiumManoel IslandTarxien TemplesGrandmaster's Palace, VallettaGħar DalamSt. Paul's CathedralMaltese islandsRotunda of MostaSaint Julian's

Saint Julian's essentials

Country: Malta
Driest months: Jun-Aug
Pay in: Euro (€)
Language: Maltese

Where to Go in Saint Julian's

Sight Ġgantija ĠgantijaAncient megalithic temples on Gozo, extremely early structures Sight Għar Dalam Għar DalamPrehistoric cave in Malta with ancient animal remains Sight St. Paul's Cathedral St. Paul's CathedralMdina cathedral housing baroque art and historic relics Island Gozo GozoSmaller Maltese island with rural landscapes and megaliths Island Comino CominoTiny Maltese island famed for the Blue Lagoon Island Malta MaltaMain Maltese island housing Valletta and historical sites History Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum Ħal Saflieni HypogeumUnderground Neolithic burial chamber in Malta, exceptionally preserved History Mnajdra MnajdraNeolithic megalithic temple complex on the southern coast History Ħaġar Qim Ħaġar QimNeolithic megalithic temple complex near Qrendi Nature Filfla FilflaSmall uninhabited rocky islet south of Malta Nature Ta' Qali Ta' QaliLarge public park with crafts village and national stadium Nature Popeye Village Popeye VillageFormer film set in Malta converted to village attraction
Neighbourhoods

Saint Julian's at a Glance

Local Time
1:06 AM
GMT+1
Population
13,792

Costs: Moderate to expensive (nightlife hub) - $80-180/day; nightlife, dining and hotels drive prices.

Safety: Generally safe but lively at night - low violent crime; expect noise and rowdy crowds in Paceville at night.

Best Time: May-October - peak season for beaches, clubs, and events.

Paceville in St. Julian’s is Malta’s primary nightlife district, with dozens of bars and clubs concentrated in one area.

Why Visit Saint Julian's?

A magnet for nightlife and seaside dining, St. Julian’s attracts visitors who want lively evenings and waterfront charm. Spinola Bay’s elegant restaurants and terraces set a scenic tone by day; Paceville’s bars and clubs dominate after dark. Fresh seafood, Maltese pastries and harbor promenades make it a good pick for travelers who want dining, entertainment and convenient access to boat trips.

Best Things to Do in Saint Julian's

Saint Julian's Bucket List

Don't Miss

Spinola Bay - Picturesque bay lined with restaurants and historic fisherman houses by day and night.

Balluta Bay and Church - Small sandy bay and baroque Parish Church overlooking promenade popular for evening strolls.

Portomaso Marina - Modern marina with yachts, dining, and waterfront promenade plus casinos and nightlife nearby.

Paceville nightlife district - Malta’s main nightlife area with clubs, bars, and entertainment open late into the night.

Hidden Gems

St. George’s Bay viewpoint - Small headland offering quiet sea views and sunset photo spots.

Dragonara Casino gardens - Coastal gardens beside an early-20th-century casino building with shaded benches.

Balluta Steps and hidden alleys - Narrow alleys and steps behind the bay revealing local cafes and bakeries.

Day Trips

Valletta - Malta’s capital with St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Upper Barrakka Gardens reachable by bus.

Mdina - The old capital, quiet fortified town with medieval streets and panoramic views.

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Saint Julian's

Aim for spring (March-May) or September to enjoy warm weather, calm seas and fewer crowds in Saint Julian’s. Winter is mild but wetter; summers are busiest and hottest.

Winter

November - February12°C - 16°C (54°F - 61°F)

Mild and a bit rainy - calmer pace, cheaper rates, though limited outdoor-sunshine days are possible.

Spring

March - May15°C - 23°C (59°F - 73°F)

Sunny and pleasant - great for seaside walks, rooftop bars and quieter beaches before peak summer.

Summer

June - September25°C - 32°C (77°F - 90°F)

Hot, crowded and lively - peak season for beaches, nightlife and boat trips, with higher prices in July-August.

Climate

Saint Julian's'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 (520 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 49 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 10° - 16° 13° 86 mm partly cloudy 74% 4.5 m/s 0.4 low 9.9h
February Very Good 10° - 16° 13° 57 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.5 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.8h
March Very Good 11° - 17° 14° 37 mm partly cloudy 80% 4.3 m/s 1.0 high 11.8h
April Excellent 12° - 20° 16° 22 mm some cloud 83% 4.6 m/s 1.5 high 13.0h
May Ideal 16° - 23° 20° 8 mm mostly sunny 82% 4.4 m/s 1.9 very high 13.9h
June Ideal 19° - 28° 24° 2 mm clear 80% 3.7 m/s 2.3 extreme 14.4h
July Ideal 22° - 30° 26° 0 mm clear 77% 3.6 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.1h
August Ideal 23° - 31° 27° 5 mm clear 75% 3.3 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.3h
September Ideal 21° - 28° 25° 42 mm mostly sunny 75% 3.4 m/s 1.5 high 12.3h
October Excellent 18° - 25° 21° 77 mm some cloud 76% 3.7 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.2h
November Very Good 14° - 21° 17° 83 mm partly cloudy 74% 3.7 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.2h
December Good 12° - 17° 15° 101 mm partly cloudy 73% 4.2 m/s 0.3 low 9.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Saint Julian's

Saint Julian’s is easily reached from Malta International Airport (MLA) by bus or short taxi/Bolt ride. The town is a hub for nightlife and waterfront dining, and transport links are concentrated and frequent.

By Air

Malta International Airport (MLA): Saint Julian’s is one of the closest resort towns to Malta’s airport; taxis and Bolt rides take about 10-20 minutes and typically cost €15-€25. Regular buses also run from the airport to St Julian’s (20-30 minutes) for lower fares.

Gozo (ferry access): If you arrive on Gozo, use the Gozo Channel ferry plus road transfer; international flights go to MLA for Saint Julian’s and the main island.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no rail system on Malta.

Bus: Tallinja buses connect the airport and Valletta with Saint Julian’s and Sliema; journey times from Valletta or the airport are typically 20-30 minutes and fares are in the low single euros. Night and weekend timetables may differ so check schedules in advance.

How to Get Around Saint Julian's

Saint Julian’s is compact and well served by buses and short taxi rides; Tallinja buses are cheap and frequent while taxis/Bolt are the most convenient for late nights or luggage.

  • Tallinja buses (€2-€3) - Tallinja buses are the main public transport option and run frequently between the airport, Valletta and Saint Julian’s/Sliema. Buses are economical and stop near main hotels and nightlife areas, but can be busy in peak hours.
  • Taxi / Bolt (€10-€25) - Taxis and Bolt provide quick, direct transfers to Saint Julian’s and are handy for late-night returns from entertainment venues. Expect fares around €10-€25 depending on pickup point and time.
  • Car hire (€25-€60 per day) - Renting a car gives freedom to explore the island, though parking in Saint Julian’s can be limited and driving is on the left. For most visitors staying in Saint Julian’s, public transport and taxis are sufficient.
  • Ferry (Valletta↔Sliema) (€1.50-€2.50) - Harbour ferries between Valletta and Sliema are a quick, scenic option if combining a visit to Valletta with the resort strip; they land close to Saint Julian’s via short local connections. Ferries are frequent and inexpensive.
  • Bicycle / e-scooter (€6-€15 per day) - Short distances along the promenade and nearby streets are rideable by bike or e-scooter, but traffic and hills make them less suitable for inexperienced riders. Stick to quieter streets where possible.
  • Walking - Saint Julian’s central areas and the promenade are compact and ideal to explore on foot; walking is the easiest way to move between restaurants, bars and the seafront. Wear comfortable shoes for uneven pavements.

Where to Stay in Saint Julian's

Budget

Paceville / Spinola Bay - €25-60/night

Budget options around Paceville and Spinola Bay include small hostels and economical hotels; expect lively nightlife nearby and compact rooms.

Aston Hotel - Basic rooms near Spinola Bay.

Hostel Malti (Paceville area) - Simple beds close to nightlife.

Mid-Range

Spinola Bay / Sliema promenade - €60-150/night

Mid-range choices concentrate around Spinola Bay and the Sliema promenade; boutique hotels and comfortable chains are easy to reach.

Hotel Juliani - Boutique seafront hotel at Spinola Bay.

AX The Palace (Sliema, nearby) - Upscale rooms a short walk across the promenade.

Luxury

Seafront / Spinola Bay - €150+/night

Luxury hotels line the seafront and offer full amenities, spa facilities, and easy access to St. Julian’s nightlife and Sliema shopping.

Hilton Malta - Large seafront resort with pools.

InterContinental Malta - Full-service luxury hotel on the waterfront.

Eat & Drink

Where to Eat in Saint Julian's

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Saint Julian’s‘s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza
Burger
Italian
Mediterranean
Regional
Kebab
Pasta
Chinese
Indian
Seafood
Chicken
Turkish
Coffee Shop
Sushi
Pastizzerija
Asian
Sandwich
Maltese
Steak House
Fish & Chips

Nightlife in Saint Julian's

St. Julian’s is one of Malta’s main nightlife hubs, with Paceville famous for its dense cluster of bars and clubs. Spinola Bay and Portomaso offer more relaxed evenings with waterfront dining and cocktail bars. Expect busy streets and late-night crowds during weekends and the high season; book restaurants and clubs if you’re going on peak nights.

Shopping in Saint Julian's

St. Julian’s offers a mix of tourist shopping and everyday stores. Bay Street Entertainment Complex provides indoor shops, dining and a cinema, while Spinola Bay and Portomaso have boutique stores and waterfront eateries. For full retail choices, Sliema and Valletta are short bus rides away, with larger malls and more brand-name stores.