Lining the coastline is a promenade known as the Sliema Front that has become the ideal spot for joggers and walkers as well as a prolific meeting place for locals during the summer season.

Sliema, which means 'peace or comfort', was once a quiet fishing village on the peninsula across Marsamxett Harbour from Valletta and has views of the capital city.

Sliema is considered a desirable place to live and is relatively affluent, with extremely high property prices compared to the national average.

Residents of Sliema are stereotypically known for their usage of English as a first language, although this is changing in the 21st century due to demographic shifts.

The construction age of the church is unknown but it was included in a map by the Order of St. John even before being handed the Maltese islands to them.

He met his fate there, having been killed by a bombardment from Fort St. Elmo at the other flank of Marsamxett Harbour, where Sliema stands.

The town began to develop rapidly in the second half of the 19th century, becoming popular as a summer resort for wealthier Valletta residents.

Various Victorian buildings graced its three-kilometre sea promenade which overlooked rugged rocks, farms and even a small sandy beach.

A distinctive group of six traditional houses with Maltese balconies has survived remarkably intact at Belvedere Terrace, set back from Ix-Xatt (the Strand).

In 1941, during the Second World War Siege of Malta, Sliema was hit by some Axis bombers during an air raid that caused the death of 21 civilians.

The Victorian houses that lined Tower Road have all been replaced by apartment buildings built in modern architectural style.

The promenade has been upgraded in the late 1990s and is a common spot for leisurely walking, particularly on warm summer nights when it remains crowded into the early hours of the morning.

The prevalence of use amongst Sliema residents of English as a first language is decreasing although it remains significantly higher than other localities on the island.

Due to the iGaming[clarification needed] industry's introduction in Malta, Sliema has also seen a huge influx of foreigners, primarily from Scandinavia.

[citation needed] It was the birthplace of several famous people: former prime minister Alfred Sant; Michael Falzon of the Malta Labour Party; George Stivala, High Commissioner for Malta in Australia during the 1950s and 1960s; Archbishop George Caruana (1882–1951), the venerable Don Nazzareno Camilleri (1906–1973), British journalist Peter Hitchens,[5] vocalist Marc Storace of the Swiss heavy metal band Krokus, and Dublin-based singer/songwriter Adrian Crowley.

Like all Maltese towns and villages, the annual Sliema parish feasts are very popular and highly anticipated within the locality.

Sliema also has four band clubs which take part in the parish feasts held in the summer months and are active all year round.