Saint Julian's City
Coastal city in Malta with nightlife
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 at a Glance#
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.
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#
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.
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.
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.
November - February
12°C - 16°C (54°F - 61°F)
Mild and a bit rainy - calmer pace, cheaper rates, though limited outdoor-sunshine days are possible.
March - May
15°C - 23°C (59°F - 73°F)
Sunny and pleasant - great for seaside walks, rooftop bars and quieter beaches before peak summer.
June - September
25°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.
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.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (86 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 (57 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 (37 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 23°C and lows of 16°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 30°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 23°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 (42 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 (77 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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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.
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.
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#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
