Area comparison
Sliema vs St Julian's
Deciding between Sliema and St Julian's? Here is how the two areas compare on property prices, rents, and day to day living, using live listing data from Darscover.
Last updated 26 september 2026
Prices at a glance
Median asking prices and live listing counts for both areas, refreshed daily.
| Area | Median sale price | Median rent | For sale | For rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sliema | 805 000 € | 1 800 € / per month | 142 | 374 |
| St Julian's | 650 000 € | 1 500 € / per month | 159 | 258 |
Sliema is the pricier of the two: its median asking sale price runs about 24% above St Julian's.
On rentals, Sliema is the dearer of the two, with a median asking rent about 20% above St Julian's.
Figures as of 26 september 2026, from live asking prices on Darscover.
Lifestyle and who each area suits
Sliema
Sliema is Malta's coastal flagship, a dense urban strip running along the Marsamxett harbour from Tigné Point in the south to St Julian's in the north. Originally a 19th century summer retreat for Valletta nobility, today it is the country's most cosmopolitan address, packed with high-rise apartments, retail towers, and an unbroken seafront promenade.
Sliema reads as Malta's Manhattan: walkable, dense, retail-heavy, and overwhelmingly geared to international residents and short-let tenants.
Best for
- expats
- young professionals
- buy-to-let investors
- short-let operators
Getting around
The Sliema Ferry runs every 30 minutes to Valletta in roughly 10 minutes, and the seafront sits on Malta's busiest bus corridor.
Neighbourhoods and sub areas
Tigné Point, The Strand, Tower Road, Qui-si-Sana
St Julian's
St Julian's wraps around three small bays (Spinola, Balluta, and St George's) and contains both Malta's main nightlife district (Paceville) and its premier marina address (Portomaso). It is the headquarters location for most of Malta's iGaming sector and a magnet for international employees.
St Julian's is loud, young, and corporate at once: tower-block apartments above 24-hour streets, with luxury marina compounds tucked just inland.
Best for
- iGaming employees
- investors targeting short-let yield
- young professionals
- international students
Getting around
Sits on the same coastal road as Sliema with a 5 to 8 minute drive between centres and a 25 minute drive to the airport.
Neighbourhoods and sub areas
Portomaso, Paceville, Spinola Bay, Balluta
Which should you choose?
Lean towards Sliema if you want expats, young professionals, buy-to-let investors and short-let operators. Lean towards St Julian's if you want igaming employees, investors targeting short-let yield, young professionals and international students. The price table above shows the budget difference between them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sliema more expensive than St Julian's?
Sliema is the pricier of the two: its median asking sale price runs about 24% above St Julian's.
Which is better, Sliema or St Julian's?
It depends on your priorities. Sliema suits expats, young professionals, buy-to-let investors and short-let operators. St Julian's suits igaming employees, investors targeting short-let yield, young professionals and international students. Use the median prices above to weigh the budget difference.
Ready to look at homes?
Browse live listings in either area, or open the full market report for the numbers behind these medians.