St. Julian's (San Giljan) is where Malta goes to play. By day it's a pleasant coastal town spread around Spinola Bay — one of the most photographed fishing boat harbours on the island — and Balluta Bay with its grand art nouveau houses. By night it becomes Paceville, the island's densest concentration of bars, clubs, casinos, and restaurants, drawing revellers from across Malta until the early hours.
The town has a split personality that works in its favour. The Paceville side is loud, youthful, and commercial, home to international hotel chains and the Dragonara Casino. The Spinola and Balluta side is refined, with upscale restaurants housed in converted townhouses and a promenade that connects westward to Sliema. Portomaso, with its signature tower and marina, sits between the two — a luxury residential and commercial complex that symbolises the area's premium positioning.
St. Julian's is also the heart of Malta's iGaming and tech industries. Office buildings cluster along the coast, making it the most convenient base for professionals working in these sectors. Property here commands some of the highest rents on the island.
Where is St. Julian's?
St. Julian's sits on Malta's central east coast, immediately north of Sliema. It's about 15 minutes from Valletta by car. The town wraps around two bays — Spinola Bay to the north and Balluta Bay to the south — with the Paceville entertainment district behind Spinola Bay heading inland.
The main areas within St. Julian's:
- Spinola Bay — the iconic harbour with fishing boats, waterfront restaurants, and the Spinola Palace gardens
- Paceville — the nightlife district, dense with bars, clubs, and late-night venues
- Balluta Bay — a smaller, elegant bay with art nouveau buildings and a more refined atmosphere
- Portomaso — the luxury marina and residential complex with the Hilton and the distinctive tower
- St. George's Bay — a small sandy beach near Paceville, one of the few in the area
Beaches and Swimming
St. George's Bay
St. George's Bay has a small sandy beach — one of the few in the central coast area. The sand was imported and the beach is artificial, but it's genuine sand and it's popular. It gets very crowded in summer, especially with Paceville's late-night crowd during the day. The water is clean and shallow.
Balluta Bay
A rocky/sandy inlet below the art nouveau buildings. Swimming here is more atmospheric than practical — the bay is small and the water can be choppy. But it's beautiful, especially at sunset with the coloured buildings reflecting in the water.
Spinola Bay
Not really a swimming spot — it's a working harbour with fishing boats and pleasure craft. But you can swim from the rocks at the bay's edge. The water quality is good.
Nearby beaches
- Sliema waterfront — rocky swimming platforms, 10 minutes walk west
- Golden Bay — 20 minutes by car, one of Malta's best natural sandy beaches
- Mellieha Bay — 25 minutes by car, Malta's largest sandy beach
Things to See and Do
Spinola Bay
One of Malta's most iconic views — traditional fishing boats (luzzu) painted in the traditional colours of blue, yellow, and red, bobbing in a sheltered harbour lined with restaurants. The Love statue sits at the harbour's edge. Morning walks around the bay before the restaurants open are genuinely peaceful.
Paceville
Malta's nightlife capital. Dozens of bars, clubs, and late-night venues packed into a few blocks. It's loud, youthful, and chaotic on weekends — and completely quiet on weekday mornings. Love it or hate it, it's the only place in Malta with a proper nightlife scene. Bars stay open until 4am on weekends.
Portomaso Marina
A luxury marina development with the distinctive Portomaso tower (one of Malta's tallest buildings). The boardwalk around the marina is pleasant for an evening stroll, with restaurants and the Hilton hotel overlooking the yachts. The tower's top floor houses a nightclub with panoramic balcony views.
Balluta Buildings
The art nouveau buildings around Balluta Square are some of the finest examples of early 20th-century architecture in Malta. Balluta Buildings, the terracotta-coloured block on the seafront, was built in 1928 and is one of Malta's most photographed structures.
Dragonara Casino
Set in a 19th-century palace on the headland, the Dragonara Casino is one of Malta's oldest and most established gaming venues. Even if you don't gamble, the building and its seaside setting are worth seeing.
Restaurants and Eating Out
St. Julian's has one of the best restaurant scenes in Malta:
- Barracuda — an established seafood restaurant overlooking Balluta Bay. One of Malta's best-known dining spots
- Zest — Asian-fusion on the Spinola Bay strip. Consistently good
- Hugo's Terrace — Mediterranean with panoramic sea views
- Cafe Del Mar — waterfront dining at the Westin Dragonara, poolside atmosphere
- Spinola Bay strip — a string of restaurants along the harbour, ranging from casual to upscale
- Balu's — casual burger joint that's become a local institution
The dining here is more varied and higher quality than anywhere in northern Malta. Sliema's restaurant scene is a 10-minute walk away for even more options.
Nightlife
Paceville is the reason most people know St. Julian's:
- Clubs — multi-floor venues playing everything from house to hip-hop to commercial pop. Open until 4am
- Bars — sports bars, cocktail bars, Irish pubs, wine bars
- Casinos — Dragonara Casino and Oracle Casino
- Late-night food — kebab shops, pizza slices, and 24-hour convenience stores
Weekend nights in Paceville draw people from across Malta. Weekday nights are quieter but still lively. If you live anywhere near Paceville, you'll hear it — the bass travels.
Transport and Getting Around
Buses
St. Julian's is one of the best-connected areas in Malta:
| Route | Destination | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 12, 13, 14, 16 | Valletta | Every 10-20 min |
| 222 | Bugibba/Qawra | Every 20 min |
| 15 | Sliema ferry | Every 15 min |
| Night buses | Various | Weekends only |
Bus to Valletta: 15-20 minutes. To Sliema: 5-10 minutes. To Bugibba/Qawra: ~50 minutes.
Driving
- Valletta: 15 min
- Airport: 25 min
- Sliema: 5 min
- Gozo ferry: 35 min
- Mellieha: 25 min
Parking is difficult — especially around Paceville on weekends and evenings. Portomaso has underground paid parking. Many residents don't bother with a car because the bus connections are so good.
Rental Prices in St. Julian's
St. Julian's commands premium rents — among Malta's most expensive, on par with Sliema:
| Property Type | Monthly Rent (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Studio | from €1200 |
| 1-bedroom apartment | €1,400 – €1,800 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | €1,600 – €2,500 |
| 3-bedroom apartment | €1,800 – €3,500 |
Prices vary dramatically by location. Portomaso and Spinola Bay seafront apartments sit at the top of the range. Properties in or near Paceville are slightly cheaper but noisier. SDA-designated properties (Portomaso, Pender Gardens) can be purchased by foreigners without an AIP permit.
These are long-term prices. Short-term lets — especially during summer — are significantly more expensive.
Browse rental properties in St. Julian's to see current listings and exact prices.
What's it Like to Live Here?
The pros
- Best nightlife in Malta — Paceville is unmatched
- Excellent restaurants — the most varied dining outside Valletta
- Walkable — flat promenade connects to Sliema; buses connect everywhere
- iGaming hub — walking distance to Malta's tech offices
- Premium location — central, coastal, well-connected
- Spinola and Balluta — genuinely beautiful bays with character
- International feel — expats, tourists, and professionals from everywhere
The cons
- Expensive — rents are among the highest in Malta
- Parking is a nightmare — especially evenings and weekends
- Noisy — Paceville's bass travels, even to "nearby" apartments
- Tourist-heavy — year-round, especially around Spinola Bay
- Small beach — St. George's Bay is tiny and gets packed
- Traffic — the coast road between Sliema and St. Julian's is one of Malta's worst bottlenecks
Who is St. Julian's best for?
- Young professionals — especially in iGaming, tech, or finance. Walking to work is a genuine luxury in Malta
- Nightlife lovers — Paceville is on your doorstep
- Social expats — the most international community in Malta
- Couples without children — the urban lifestyle suits DINK life
If you have a family and want space, look at Mosta or Mellieha. If you want similar convenience without the noise, Gzira is quieter and cheaper.
St. Julian's vs Sliema
The two areas are neighbours and the most common comparison for expats:
| Factor | St. Julian's | Sliema |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (2-bed) | €1,300 – €2,500 | €1,200 – €2,500 |
| Vibe | Energetic, nightlife, social | Upscale, shopping, seafront |
| Nightlife | Paceville — Malta's best | Quieter — bars, not clubs |
| Restaurants | Excellent, varied | Excellent, more upscale |
| Shopping | Limited | Malta's best (The Point, Tower Road) |
| Beaches | Small sandy + rocky | Rocky platforms |
| Noise | High near Paceville | Moderate |
| Commute to Valletta | 15-20 min by bus | 10-15 min by bus or ferry |
Pick St. Julian's for nightlife and social life. Pick Sliema for shopping and a slightly more refined atmosphere. They're 10 minutes apart — many people split time between both.
Nearby Areas Worth Considering
- Sliema — Malta's premium residential area, shopping hub, quieter
- Gzira — cheaper alternative, same promenade, 10 minutes south
- Swieqi — residential, quieter, adjacent to St. Julian's
- Pembroke — newer development, family-oriented, nearby
FAQ
Is St. Julian's a good place to live?
Yes — if you can afford it and want an active social life. It's the most convenient base for Malta's tech industry and has the island's best nightlife and restaurant scene. The trade-offs are high rents, parking difficulties, and noise near Paceville.
How far is St. Julian's from Valletta?
About 15 minutes by car, 15-20 minutes by bus.
Is St. Julian's expensive?
Yes — it's one of Malta's most expensive areas for renting, on par with Sliema. Studios start around €900/month and 2-bedroom apartments from €1,300/month.
Does St. Julian's have a beach?
Yes — St. George's Bay has a small sandy beach. It's artificial (imported sand) but genuine. It gets very crowded in summer. For proper beaches, drive 20-25 minutes to Golden Bay or Mellieha Bay.
Is St. Julian's safe?
Generally yes, though Paceville at weekends can get rowdy. The Spinola and Balluta areas are safe and well-lit. Normal urban precautions apply, especially late at night in Paceville.
What is Paceville?
Paceville is St. Julian's nightlife district — a dense cluster of bars, clubs, and late-night venues. It's where Malta's party scene happens, particularly on weekends. If you live within a few blocks, you'll hear it.
Is St. Julian's good for families?
It can work, but it's not the first choice. The noise, crowds, and nightlife-oriented atmosphere make areas like Mellieha, Mosta, or Attard more family-friendly. Schools are available nearby in Pembroke and St. Julian's itself.
