St. Julians combines coastal attractions with a local history that ranges from its origins as a fishing village to local festival traditions. If you are considering the town as a place to stay, you can first decide whether you would rather focus on bathing spots, older buildings or local traditions. In San Ä iljan, there are specific points of interest for all three, each of a different kind.
Bathing spots and coast
Spinola Bay is designated as a swimming and beach location in San Ä iljan. At St Julian's Bay, bathing spot B06 is next to Spinola Street and has a concrete platform. These two descriptions offer different points of reference: Spinola Bay is identified as a swimming and beach location, while B06 is identified by its location on Spinola Street and its platform. If you include a bathing spot in your plans, pay attention to the specific place name so it is clear whether you mean Spinola Bay or B06 at St Julian's Bay.
Fishing village, boats and cultural heritage
San Ä iljan first developed as a fishing village. Some old houses and boathouses have survived. The reference to the small bay of San Ä iljan also fits with this: numerous colourful Maltese boats are moored there all year round. The buildings and boats show two sides of the town: its older architecture and the use of the bay as a mooring place. If you would like to discover the town's maritime character as well as its bathing spots, you will find specific points of interest here.
The Ħarq Ħamiem cave is also part of the cultural heritage. It was added to the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands on 15 May 2025. Alongside the houses and boathouses, it is another place that can be mentioned in connection with the islands' cultural heritage. For those interested in cultural history, it adds a distinct aspect to the town's history.
Church architecture and local history
The first Lapsi church is believed to have been built in 1580 by the Knights of St John; this date should be understood as tentative. Work on a new church in San Ä iljan began on 9 July 1961. The dates refer to different points in time: one indicates a presumed construction date, while the other marks the start of work. Thus, 9 July 1961 marks the beginning of construction, not its completion.
Distinctive festival traditions
Date of the additional feast
The additional feast of San Ä iljan is celebrated on the last Sunday in August.
Musketterija and Ä ostra
The Musketterija has been part of the local festival tradition since 1982. During this custom, hunters fire blank rounds loaded with black powder from the roof of the parish church as the statue of the patron saint is carried out of the church. The Ä ostra is a traditional festival competition: participants run and climb as far as they can along a greased pole suspended at an angle over the sea. The events are quite different: the Musketterija centres on the gunfire and carrying out the statue, while the Ä ostra challenges participants to get as far as possible along the pole.
Getting around during your stay
Paceville is within walking distance of San Ä iljan. If you would like to include Paceville in your travel plans, you can consider walking there. This adds a practical travel tip to the topics of the coast, local history and festival traditions.
Discover more destinations: Xaghra, Gzira, Gharb, Paola, Ghanjsielem, San Lawrenz, Naxxar, Sliema.
For the main travel overview: Malta.
