Malta area comparison · 2026
Sliema vs St Julian's
Which Malta area is right for you? Malta's two most popular expat areas sit side by side on the north-east coast, each with a distinct character. Sliema is the cosmopolitan seafront promenade; St Julian's is the entertainment and tech hub.
Our verdict
The short answer
Choose Sliema for a calmer residential lifestyle with excellent walkability. Choose St Julian's if you work in iGaming or tech and want restaurant variety and nightlife access within walking distance.
Side-by-side market data
The numbers
Median prices pulled from active listings across every Maltese agency on djar.
| Metric | Sliema | St Julian's |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | €2,300/mo | €2,200/mo |
| Median sale price | €847,000 | €790,000 |
| Rent / m² | €18/mo | €19/mo |
| Sale / m² | €5769 | €6493 |
| Active listings | 4133 | 2797 |
Category winners
Which area wins?
Scored across rent, value and lifestyle — pick what matters most to you.
Best rents
Even match
Best value
Even match
Best lifestyle
Sliema
Area profiles
Vibe, transport & fit
Pulled from our full Malta area guides — who each town is actually built for.
Sliema
Cosmopolitan, walkable, busy, expensive
Excellent — direct bus routes to Valletta, St Julian's, and the rest of Malta. 10-minute ferry to Valletta. Very walkable within the town.
Best for
St Julian's
Energetic, youthful, nightlife, tech
Well connected — direct buses to Valletta, Sliema, and Bugibba. Walkable to Sliema along the seafront. Parking is challenging.
Best for
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