Things to Do in St Julian’s Malta 2026: The Complete Local Guide

St Julian’s is the engine room of Maltese tourism, and for good reason. The bay, the restaurants, the nightlife, the football screenings, the ferry connections, the lido days: if you are looking for things to do in St Julian’s Malta this summer, the list is longer than any single trip can cover. This guide cuts it down to what is actually worth your time in 2026, with a particular focus on what makes this corner of the island different from the rest.

Whether you are here for a weekend or a full week, the options range from completely free to properly curated. Here is where to start.

Spend a Day at Aqualuna Pool

Aqualuna is the outdoor pool venue managed by ST Hotels, sitting on the Gzira waterfront at the edge of St Julian’s. It is one of the most enjoyable things to do in St Julian’s Malta when the temperature hits its July peak: a refined lido with full catering, sea views, and a capacity that keeps the experience relaxed rather than crowded. Arrive for the late morning, stay through the afternoon, and let the pool and the seafront handle the rest. Find out more about Aqualuna here and plan your visit around your stay.

Walk the Balluta Bay Seafront

Balluta Bay is the postcard version of St Julian’s, and it earns it. The Art Deco chapel, the open bay, the mix of locals and tourists at the waterfront cafes: it is the right place to start any day in the area. The seafront walk between Balluta and Spinola Bay takes under twenty minutes at a comfortable pace and connects most of the dining and drinking options on the northern St Julian’s strip. It is one of those things that costs nothing and delivers every time.

Take the Ferry to Valletta

The Valletta ferry runs from Sliema, just minutes from St Julian’s, and it is the fastest and most enjoyable way to reach the capital. The crossing takes around 10 minutes and drops you directly into the lower part of Valletta, within walking distance of the main gate, the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and the Strait Street strip. For a half-day out, this is one of the most efficient things to do in St Julian’s Malta and one of the few where the journey itself is worth having.

Eat Your Way Through Spinola Bay

Spinola Bay is St Julian’s answer to the question of where to eat when you cannot decide. The bay is ringed with restaurants covering everything from traditional Maltese fare to Japanese, Italian, and Lebanese kitchens, and the waterfront tables fill up quickly after 19:00 in summer. Go early or book ahead. The quality across the strip is consistent enough that proximity to a good table is often the deciding factor. For guests staying at Azur Hotel, Spinola Bay is walkable in under five minutes.

Catch a Malta Summer Festa

The village festas are one of the most distinctly Maltese things you can experience in summer, and several of the best ones take place within day-trip distance of St Julian’s throughout July and August. Brass bands, fireworks, street processions, and enough pastizzi to last the season. Our full guide to Malta summer festas 2026 covers the calendar, what to expect, and how to plan your visit around the dates.

Nightlife in Paceville

Paceville is the nightlife district that sits at the top of St Julian’s, and it operates at a completely different frequency from the rest of the area. Clubs, bars, late-night food, and a crowd that skews young and international: if evening energy is on your list of things to do in St Julian’s Malta, Paceville covers it comprehensively. Read our guide to nightlife in Sliema and St Julian’s for the full breakdown of what is worth your time and what is not.

Where to Stay for the Best Things to Do in St Julian’s Malta

The right base makes the difference between covering everything and spending half your trip in transit. ST Hotels has five properties in the Gzira, St Julian’s, and Sliema corridor, all within walking distance of the main things to do in St Julian’s Malta this summer. Alavits Hotel puts you at the World Cup screenings and a short walk from Aqualuna. Azur Hotel sits at the Spinola Bay dining strip. Bayview Hotel and Spa adds a pool and spa for guests who want recovery built into their stay. Blubay Apartments and Valletta View Apartments offer self-catering flexibility for longer stays.

For more on planning your summer visit, read our complete summer in Malta guide and our guide to the best beaches in Malta 2026. For official travel information, visit the Malta Tourism Authority.