Sunday, 30 September 2018

Around Sliema (in reverse) Malta 27 Aug 2018

Around Sliema (in reverse)
Malta
Distance 14.3km Climb 100m
Monday 27 August 2018


This was another walk we did on our holidays last year, Around Sliema, today we would be doing the walk in reverse. This is Walk 8 from the booklet Malta 10 Great Walks. 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 walks as it would be wrong of me to copy all of the information from the booklet. 

We jumped on the number 222 bus near our hotel and got off near Paceville. It only takes a few minutes to walk down through the streets to the beach, but we had to have a look in a few shops, so it took a little longer.


From St Georges Bay we headed to the north side of the bay climbed up hill on a side street, turning left onto the Triq Il Professur W Ganado, a short walk along the road and we had a great view over the Bay we also had time to find a Geocache.


Once found we returned to St George's Bay and started the walk from the booklet. People were already claiming their spots on the beach.


We followed the road eastwards as it climbed slightly, around the coast


Passed the grand looking hotel Westin Resort. At the end of the street we crossed over and headed towards the Portomaso complex with its large blue tower. Passing a modern church on our way.


At the complex we had a quick look through the arch at the marina below. Back on our route we crossed the road, walking through a small modern park onto a busy road, where we turned left.


This took us down to St Julian's Bay and the famous LOVE Statue.


After a few photos we moved off the route in the booklet slightly as we crossed the road and took some steps up onto the Triq il-Kibra.


My phone showed there was a Geocache in a nearby street, so we had a quick look for it. Unfortunately we did not find it. After todays walk I saw a note that the Geocache owner moved the cache to a more accessible location. We returned another day and found it.


Today though we returned to the promenade and continued south east around the bay. Across the bay we could see the large Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, with the Balluta Buildings nearby. We would be soon passing these.


Passing the Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we followed the road to the corner and around the corner to the right. After a few meters the promenade opens a little, with trees and statues.


As the promenade follows the coast round to our left, we called into Independence Garden to collect another Geocache.

Continuing to the end where we stopped for a short break and drink at the café next to St Julian's Tower.


After our rest we returned down the promenade a little way then made our way through a few street to find the Geocache at the Sliema Scouts HQ.


Returning to St Julian's Tower we continued along the promenade. We could see people sunning themselves on the flat natural limestone at sea level, where we had walked last year.


This year we stayed on the promenade and saw the white shadows which are on the cover of the booklet.


The next feature is a low fort which was formerly Sliema Point Battery also known as Il-Fortizza, where the coast turns southwards.  


Passed Il-Fortizza, we could see across the bay, with Valletta and the Fort St Elmo.


Some interesting artwork.


We followed the promenade along the coast to the left, after a few hundred meters we turned right across the road. After a few turns left and right, we arrived at one of the entrances of The Point.


After the expensive shops we walked between modern apartment's up beside Fort Tigne. A lot of restoration work has taken place in the area.


We could see across the Marsamxett Harbour to Valletta. People were on the rocks below.


Parts of old defences where mixed with modern walls and paths. We took the walkway around the coast of The Point.



This took us under a raised walkway. We returned to the original promenade by the coast. Looking left, south, over Sliema Creek we could see Manoel Island.


We were now on The Sliema Strand.


We crossed the road to have a look into a few of the shops, opposite the Sliema to Valletta Ferry Jetty.


Eventually the promenade reached the narrow bridge that took us onto Manoel Island. A quick look at Duck Village before we crossed the road for some refreshment at a local café/bar.


Leaving Manoel Island we turned left. As we walked on, Lazzaretto Creek was to our left, where there were some expensive looking boats, yachts.


We continued on, passing The Royal Malta Yacht Club and down to The Black Pearl which is now a restaurant. 


We were walking westwards beside Msida Creek which was full of many different boats and sailing crafts. Over the road there are many Embassies from countries all over Europe and around the World.


 We soon arrived at Msida Parish Church The Church of St Joseph the Worker. 


Crossing the square at the top of Msida Creek we found a bus stop and jumped onto the first bus that took us back into Valletta. 

We had covered 14.3km with 100m climb. Arriving at the Valletta Bus Concourse we ran round to catch the number 42 bus back to our hotel. It had been another good walk from the booklet 
Malta 10 Great WalksI 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 our previous walk in Malta The Battlements of Valletta (in reverse) 25 August 2018. 
Follow link to our next walk in Malta Qrendi and The Blue Grotto 29 August 2018.


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