St. Julian's: Heritage, Coast and Festive Traditions

St. Julian's can be considered from several perspectives when planning a trip: coastal spots, heritage and local festive traditions each offer specific points of reference. If you are looking for a hotel here, consider before choosing whether swimming spots, historic buildings or a particular festival date will be the main focus of your stay. The following features of the area can help you weigh these interests.

Coastal character and swimming spots

San Ġiljan first developed as a fishing village. The small bay provides a mooring for numerous colourful Maltese boats throughout the year. The area's early history and the bay's year-round use as a mooring therefore coexist.

For planning a swim, two names offer different points of reference: Spinola Bay is listed in St. Julian's as a place for swimming and as a beach; bathing spot B06 at St Julian's Bay is next to Spinola Street and has a concrete platform. The first focuses on swimming and the beach, while the second highlights its location next to the street and the platform.

Architectural history and heritage

St. Julian's still preserves some old houses and boathouses. If you are considering the area's cultural history, these surviving buildings offer a different perspective from the dates associated with the churches: here, the focus is on different types of buildings, while there, it is on dates and building history.

Ħarq Ħamiem Cave was added to the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands on 15 May 2025.

The church's history offers two different dates: the first Lapsi church is said to have been built in 1580 by the Knights of St John; work on a new church in St. Julian's began on 9 July 1961. Thus, a cautiously worded historical attribution sits alongside a precisely dated start of construction.

Festive traditions and travel dates

Musketterija has been part of St. Julian's local festive tradition since 1982. During the event, hunters fire blank rounds using black powder from the roof of the parish church while the statue of the patron saint is carried out of the church.

During the Ġostra, participants run and climb as far as they can along a greased pole suspended at an angle over the sea. The difference between the customs lies in their form: Musketterija combines gunshots with carrying out the statue, while the Ġostra is about making progress along the pole.

An additional feast of St. Julian's is celebrated on the last Sunday in August. If you would like to time your trip to coincide with this feast, check the specific dates for your chosen year before planning.

Getting to another place

Paceville is within walking distance of St. Julian's. If Paceville is part of your travel plans, this walkable connection is a specific point to consider when choosing your destination.

Discover more destinations: Qormi, Naxxar, Qala, Victoria, Mgarr, Gzira, Hal Kirkop, Xlendi

For the broader travel overview: Malta.