Living in

St Julian's

Malta's Entertainment and Property Hub

St Julian's sits immediately north of Sliema and runs from Balluta Bay through Spinola Bay to St George's Bay. It's Malta's most active entertainment district, anchored by Paceville on the northern edge, but also home to some of the island's most established luxury developments — Portomaso, Pendergardens, and the newer Mercury Towers. The mix is unusual: Michelin-grade restaurants alongside university-aged nightlife, premium residential alongside corporate towers, sea views on three sides of a peninsula.

For property buyers, St Julian's offers more luxury inventory than Sliema, a denser concentration of corporate tenants for buy-to-let, and proximity to major employers (gaming, financial services, hospitality). Its main consideration is the Paceville factor — proximity to nightlife is a benefit for some buyers and a deterrent for others. Within St Julian's, the bays are quieter than the inland Paceville zone.

Where is St Julian's?

Geography & connections

St Julian's sits on Malta's northeast coast, immediately north of Sliema and south of Pembroke. The town wraps around three bays: Balluta (closest to Sliema), Spinola (central), and St George's (northern, adjacent to Paceville). Swieqi sits inland to the west.

Adjacent localities: Sliema (south), Pembroke (north), Swieqi (west), Paceville (northern district within St Julian's). Drive time to Malta International Airport: 20–25 minutes. Drive time to Valletta: 15 minutes.

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Lifestyle and community

What life in St Julian's looks like

Dining and nightlife

Malta's densest restaurant district outside Sliema, with fine dining along Spinola Bay, casual seafront eating in Balluta, and the full Paceville nightlife strip. Mix is unusually wide — corporate lunches to late-night bars.

Shopping and leisure

Bay Street Mall, Portomaso retail, and high-street shopping along the seafront. Boutique focus rather than department-store breadth.

Outdoor lifestyle

Three bays mean multiple swimming and lido options. The St Julian's seafront connects to Sliema's promenade for an extended walking circuit. Watersports, kayaking, and boat charters operate from the bays in summer.

Services and corporate infrastructure

Concentration of corporate offices, gaming companies, and professional services. Walking distance to many of Malta's largest employers makes St Julian's particularly popular with corporate employees.

Property market snapshot

What property costs in St Julian's

Apartments (1–2 bedroom)from ~€300,000; mid-tier in the €400,000–€600,000 range
Seafront apartments (Spinola, Balluta Bay)€500,000 and up
Luxury developments (Portomaso, Pendergardens, Mercury Towers)€600,000–€2,000,000+
Long-let rental (1-bedroom)€1,000–€1,500 per month, with corporate-tenant premium
Long-let rental (2-bedroom)€1,400–€2,200 per month, depending on location and quality

Yitaku platform observations, calibrated against National Statistics Office of Malta property market data. Last reviewed 25 May 2026.

Who St Julian's is for

Audience fit

Young professionals and expats

Walking distance to corporate offices (gaming, financial services, consulting). Strong evening social scene. Mix of established expats and first-time movers to Malta.

Investors

Corporate tenant demand makes St Julian's strong for buy-to-let, particularly in newer developments with parking and amenities. Premium developments command premium yields but with higher entry costs.

Digital nomads

Café culture, fast internet, walkable mixed-use district make St Julian's a natural home for the digital-nomad audience that grew significantly in Malta during 2020–2024.

Families

Less common than in Sliema or Swieqi due to the Paceville factor, but the quieter bays (Balluta, Spinola) work for families with older children. Adjacent Swieqi and Pembroke are more family-oriented for buyers prioritising children.

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Frequently asked

Common questions about St Julian's

Is St Julian's a good place to live?

St Julian's works well for professionals, expats, and investors prioritising proximity to employment centres and active social life. The Paceville factor is a consideration — properties closer to the entertainment district are louder, particularly at weekends. The quieter bays (Spinola, Balluta) and luxury developments insulate from this.

What's the average property price in St Julian's?

Apartments in St Julian's typically range from ~€300,000 for smaller older units to €600,000+ for mid-tier and €1,000,000+ for luxury developments. Portomaso, Pendergardens, and Mercury Towers command the highest prices, often well above €1,000,000.

Is St Julian's a good investment?

Strong rental demand from corporate tenants, expats, and short-let visitors makes St Julian's a reliable buy-to-let location. The premium developments (Portomaso, Pendergardens) typically command the highest yields. The Paceville sub-area is highest-demand for short-let but more volatile.

How does St Julian's compare to Sliema?

St Julian's has more luxury inventory and a denser concentration of corporate tenants; Sliema is more established and slightly more residential. St Julian's is louder, particularly near Paceville, but offers better proximity to major employers. The two are walkable from each other along the seafront.

Can foreigners buy in St Julian's?

Non-EU buyers generally need an AIP Permit to buy outside Special Designated Areas. Several SDAs sit within or adjacent to St Julian's (Portomaso, Pendergardens, Tas-Sellum nearby), allowing foreign buyers to acquire there without an AIP.

Is parking included with St Julian's apartments?

Newer developments (Portomaso, Pendergardens, Mercury Towers, and most post-2015 builds) typically include parking. Older apartments often don't. Confirm parking arrangements before viewing.