No advisory against travel
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Updated 2026-10-07T12:08:40Z
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Is Sliema safe? 🇲🇹
Malta · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Sliema scores 85/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Sliema is a very safe destination for travelers, with low crime rates and strong official security presence. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Sliema 🇲🇹
Malta · Assessed 13 October 2026
85
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime81/100GoodCrime index 43.0 / 100
Sentiment83/100GoodGenerally positive
Advisories100Good
Stability80Good
Health96Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Malta: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-09T07:11:34.8184078-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
75 / 100 (Generally positive)
75
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
23k residents
94
City SignalCity Geocoding
Robbery / mugging
LowWhile isolated incidents like a robbery in 2025 have occurred, the risk of mugging or armed robbery for visitors is generally low.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in crowded tourist spots and on public transport.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Generally positive
83/100
Reported feel75Generally positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
While residents express concerns about tourism impacts, general sentiment from traveler reports indicates a safe and pleasant experience, with most visitors feeling secure.
Yes. Sliema is a very safe destination for travelers, with low crime rates and strong official security presence.
Sliema benefits from Malta's overall low crime environment, with official advisories recommending normal precautions. While there have been isolated incidents, including a past robbery and a notable murder, these do not reflect a widespread risk to tourists. The primary concerns for visitors revolve around managing petty crime and being aware of local issues related to tourism.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026Residents' groups are advocating for measures to curb 'party tourism' and its associated issues.— Times of Malta
- Aug 2026Increased police and military patrols were deployed in tourist areas following resident concerns about security and short-term rental regulations.— MaltaToday
- Oct 2025A murder of a Palestinian jihadist in Sliema was reported, which sparked regional attention.— Times of Malta
- Jul 2025A man wanted for a robbery in Sliema was extradited from Italy.— MaltaToday
Common scams
- Overcharging for goods or services, particularly in tourist-heavy areas.
- Distraction theft, where an accomplice distracts you while another attempts to steal from you.
Full briefing
Sliema offers a very safe environment for travelers, with official advisories consistently recommending normal security precautions. The island's low crime statistics, including a very low homicide rate, contribute to this assessment. While there have been isolated incidents, such as a robbery in 2025 and a notable murder in 2025, these do not indicate a pervasive threat to visitors.
Recent reports from August 2026 highlight increased police and military presence in tourist areas, a response to resident concerns about security and the impact of short-term rentals. This heightened visibility aims to address issues stemming from tourism, though some residents, as noted in September 2026, continue to call for more fundamental changes to manage tourism's effects.
Travelers should remain vigilant against petty crime, particularly pickpocketing and bag-snatching, which can occur in crowded locations. While serious crime is rare, exercising standard precautions such as securing valuables and being aware of your surroundings, especially at night, is advisable. The primary concerns for visitors are managing minor theft and being mindful of local discussions regarding tourism management.
Was this Sliema, Malta report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Sliema districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Sliema safety map.
GżiracautionAdjacent to Sliema, can have higher petty crime rates; exercise vigilance, especially at night.
Paceville (St Julian's, adjacent)cautionKnown for nightlife, can experience increased petty crime and rowdiness; stay aware of surroundings.
Sliema PromenadesaferWell-lit and busy tourist area, generally safe with usual precautions.
Tower RoadsaferMain street with shops and restaurants, safe during the day and early evening.
Qui-Si-SanasaferResidential and commercial area, generally safe with standard precautions.
Tigné PointsaferModern development with shopping and residential areas, considered safe.
07 · After Dark
Is Sliema safe at night?
While isolated incidents like a robbery in 2025 have occurred, the risk of mugging or armed robbery for visitors is generally low.
After dark, be most careful around Gżira, Paceville (St Julian's, adjacent). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Sliema safety FAQ (2026)
Is Sliema safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Sliema is a very safe destination for travelers, with low crime rates and strong official security presence. Sliema benefits from Malta's overall low crime environment, with official advisories recommending normal precautions. While there have been isolated incidents, including a past robbery and a notable murder, these do not reflect a widespread risk to tourists. The primary concerns for visitors revolve around managing petty crime and being aware of local issues related to tourism. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Sliema safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Sliema report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Sliema should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Sliema (2026)?
- Overcharging for goods or services, particularly in tourist-heavy areas.
- Distraction theft, where an accomplice distracts you while another attempts to steal from you.
How does Sliema compare with other places in Malta (2026)?
Sliema ranks #3 of 3 Malta destinations we've assessed, scoring 85/100. See the Malta safety overview for the full list.
How is this sliema safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: sliema.json (CC BY 4.0).