Madliena
Madliena’s pristine location between two valleys provides a perfect opportunity for countryside walks. This hamlet is located on one of the highest points on the island thus helping to ‘cool’ down the hot summer nights with its gentle breeze off the nearby coastal areas. From here one can see right across the island, all the way from Marsaxlokk, to Mdina, Valletta, and the north of the island. An important feature in Madliena are the Victoria lines where a natural fault runs roughly east to west across the island. It was the British who, by 1900 built a series of forts with intervening walls and gun emplacements along the 12km of the ridge. Because of its vantage point, Madliena was mostly used for military reasons with the most important site being the Madliena Tower. Within close vicinity, one can also find the Meditteraneo Water Park, Malta’s only marine park. This is a popular place with its many water rides, attraction pools and marine part where one can also swim with dolphins.
Sliema
Sliema and the coastline up to neighbouring St Julian’s constitutes Malta’s main coastal resort. A centre for shopping, restaurants and caf’e life. Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta’s most recent hotels. Sliema, which means `peace’, was once a quiet fishing town on the peninsula across Grand Harbour from Valletta. The Sliema promontory offers on one side stunning views across to Valletta and on the other, open sea views. The promenade, which runs for several kilometres from Gzira just south of Sliema to St Julian’s, is ideal for walking, jogging or just relaxation. There are plenty of seats along the promenade, which is also dotted with little bistros, restaurants, cafes, ice-cream parlours and the like. On summer evenings the seafront becomes a sociable meeting place for locals and tourists alike. The coastline has two tower fortifications: a watch tower built in the 17th century; the other was built by the British in the 1880’s.
St. George’s Bay
St. George’s Bay lies between St. Julians Bay and Malta’s nightlife capital Paceville, within walking distance to either of them, but in a quieter niche with extended sea and bay views of this most popular place. Picturesque St. Julians, still used by fishermen, is lined with bougainvillea-clad cafes and restaurants; Paceville offers a vibrant nightlife to suite all tastes from nightclubs to quieter piano bars, together with some great bars and even greater eating places. A mix between a cosmopolitan town and a fishing village, St. Georges is an ideal place for fun and relaxation, and at the same time, a centre-point for easy commuting and touring of the island. A 16-cinema complex is only metres up the road, as is the tenpin bowling centre, together with shopping and leisure centres that are unique to this island. St. Georges offers all kinds of watersports and scuba-diving. A culmination of dazzling lights and dimly-lit streets in a safe environment for families and friends alike.
St. Paul’s Bay
St. Paul’s Bay and its surrounding areas: The coastline in the St., Paul’s Bay area has some wonderful open sea views and a vista across to St Paul’s Island, where, according to legend, the ship carrying the Apostle is said to have been wrecked. Standing prominently on the isle is a large statue of the Apostle commemorating this legendary event. The coastline promenade provides a long, though mostly level and easy walk from St Paul’s Bay all the way to Qawra Point, with its tower and views over Salina Bay. St Paul’s Bay started life as a small fishing village and one can still see these going out to sea in the early hours. The parish church, built in 1617, was carefully restored after suffering heavy damage in World War II. Nearby is the Wignacourt Tower built in 1610 during the reign of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt. It served as Malta’s northern-most defensive outpost until fort St. Agatha was built in Mellieha in 1649. Today, it houses a small museum dedicated to Malta’s rich military-architectural heritage.
St. Paul’s Bay is located on the North East coast of Malta and is the largest resort on the north of Malta, 15kms from Valletta. The old town of St. Paul’s Bay has extended to the south and engulfed the popular tourist areas of Bugibba and the newer resort of Qawra. This is a large and popular tourist area and part of neighbouring resorts, stretching for 5km along St. Paul’s Bay, around Qawra Point and into Salina Bay. A picturesque resort with good attractions and easy access to some of Malta’s finest scenery and best rocky beaches. This is traditionally Malta’s largest summer resort and can be split into four areas of contrasting age and amenities – Xemxija, Bugibba, Qawra and the Old Town. Of the group, Bugibba, is the largest resort in the area, with good views of St Paul’s Bay and its islands. Proving its popularity, Bugibba has the liveliest nightlife, a cinema, bingo hall and even a casino, however St.. Paul’s Bay still offers the best views and the quieter side of life.
Almost the entire foreshore is rocky, In many locations the rocks are flat and suitable for sunbathing
There are 3 small harbours along the sea front either in the old town area of St Paul’s bay or in Bugibba
Swimming and snorkeling is popular from the rocks. The entire area is great for water sports. There is a small beach at the head of St Pauls Bay, the rest is rocky. The nearest large sandy beaches are about 8km away at Mellieha Bay and further away in Golden Bay. There is a regular bus route to these beaches from St Pauls Bay. Next door is Bugibba which is the main hub of activity at night in the area, but te old town St. Paul’s Bay has a selection of quieter bars and cafes. Some of the hotels in this area also have their own nightclubs and special nights of entertainment. The area is well covered with tourist cafés and restaurants whilst more sophisticated dining can be found at Old St. Paul’s Bay.