Around Sliema
Malta
Distance 14.3km Climb 90m
Tuesday 26 September 2017
Walk 8 from the booklet Malta 10 Great Walks was our walk today. If you would like a copy of the booklet then please follow the link. The booklet gives a good description of routes and points out loads of interesting information. I am writing the basic details of our walk, it would be wrong of me to copy all of the information from the booklet.
We took the number 42 bus down the road from the hotel into Valletta Bus Concourse. From the Concourse we took the bus number TD13 out of Valletta to the start of the walk at Msida Creek. The bus driver told us when to alight but we knew where we were as it fit in with the description in the booklet.
From the bus stop we crossed the road and stood in a square across Msida Creek looking at Msida Parish Church The Church of St Joseph the Worker.
We walked around the end of the Creek to the front of the Church and headed towards the sea, eastwards. Msida Creek was full of boats and sailing crafts of many different sizes and designs. I took many photos, too many to include here.
We followed the directions in the booklet and passed many interesting buildings and features arriving at The Black Pearl. Near where there is a monument to Paul Ripard a keen Maltese Yachtsman.
Walking behind the Royal Malta Yacht Club, we could see across the water the Battlements of Valletta where we had walked on the previous Friday.
We could also see more interesting features mentioned in the booklet to our north.
Our walk followed the seafront as it turns first northwards, then westwards then again northwards until we reached a bridge on our right. On our way we had passed a number of people getting boats ready and loading equipment to go out and do some diving.
The bridge was a crossing onto Manoel Island so we crossed to have a look, visiting Ducks Village on our left. There were a lot of chickens, pigeons and a couple of guinea fowl, living with the ducks. We walked as far as we could, it looked as though a lot of work is being done on the Manoel Island Fort.
Returning to the main land, walking back passed Ducks Village, we continued to our right along the promenade.
The promenade was wide, on our left was a very busy road running by large buildings and hotels. On the promenade to our right there were little kiosks where people were selling ferry/boat trips, a very busy area. A lot busier than anywhere else we had walked so far on Malta, and totally different.
It was very warm so we soon stopped for an iced coffee at one of the many cafes over the road on our left. M&S was just along the road, I thought this was going to be one of our stops, but no Anne fortunately just walked by. We then did stop at a couple of other gift shops and another large shop before we crossed back over the road near the bus terminal.
We passed the Sliema to Valletta ferry landing, we had passed the Valletta to Sliema ferry landing in Valletta on our walk The Battlements of Valletta the previous Friday. Further north we could see St Elmo's Fort where we had also walked round the base the previous Friday.
We were now heading to an area of Sliema called The Point. This area is very modern, walking under the raised walkway we continued along the seafront. Parts of old defences mixed with modern walls and paths.
The seafront rises gently and is a place where the modern meets the old. We saw Fort Tigne where there is some restoration work going on in the area.
Turning round we followed a new pathway between modern apartments to reach the centre of The Point.
Stopping for Anne to look into a couple of expensive looking shops. Eventually Anne came out and at the end of the square we turned left. From here if we had continued straight on we would have been on the raised walkway we had walked under a little earlier. However we decided to turn right and walk through what appears to be an old but interesting arched street.
We were a little off the route in the booklet but that did not matter as we were going the right direction. Crossing onto a main street we took this right and headed towards the sea.
Reaching the coast at a playground, we turned left. Along the coast we could see Fortizza.
Passing the front of Fortizza we followed the booklet and walked down the steps to the natural limestone at sea level. The day was really warm and a large number of people were sitting out in the sun. Again we were overdressed as we stepped around and about groups and couples topping up their tans.
Reaching a set of steps we climbed back up to the promenade.
Passed St Julian's Tower, we turned left and the promenade followed the side of St Julian's Bay.
Independence Gardens were down on our right.
Continuing around the Bay we passed a few impressive looking buildings, details are in the booklet.
Passing a bar we decided it was time to have a rest and a couple of shandies. We sat watching the Bay and the people passing by on the promenade.
Following the curve of the Bay we reached the Love Statue.
Turning right we walked up hill and reached a small park. Walking through the park the booklet advises you to have a look at the marina below.
Returning to the park we turned right towards Paceville and walked passed this modern church.
At the bottom we crossed the road and walked up the road passing the entrance of The Westin Resort a grand looking hotel. When the path drops slightly we were looking down on St George's Bay.
Walking around the Bay, we reached the small sandy beach.
Leaving the beach we walked away from the coast into Paceville.
After looking at a few shops we worked our way up to the road to catch a bus.
The first bus due was the number 16 that took us back into Valletta. It very much followed most of our walk along the sea front.
We had covered 14.3km with 90m climb. Arriving at the Valletta Bus Concourse we ran round to catch the number 42 bus. It was dark when we reached our hotel and we were tired, it had been a very good walk, another good walk from the booklet Malta 10 Great Walks. I would recommend checking out this link to anyone interested in doing any walking in Malta.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Malta or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow link to my previous walk in Malta The Citadel to Saltpans - Gozo 25 Sept 2017
Follow link to my next walk in Malta The Three Cities - Malta 27 Sept 2017
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