Malta doesn’t typically make its way onto the list of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. However, in recent years, there has been intensive investment into the country’s tourism industry and, now, more and more people are deciding to fly to Malta and experience all that the country has to offer. And Tas-Sliema, which was once just a small fishing village, is now the most developed city in Malta and an increasingly popular vacation spot for backpackers and high-budget travelers alike. The name of the city translates to “peace” and that name is certainly fitting. The city of Tas-Sliema is laid-back, gorgeous, and a fantastic place to find a little rest and relaxation.
Tas-Sliema, which is often just called Sliema, is home to the most famous resort in all of Malta as well as the largest shopping center in the country. The city itself has a large commercial and residential district as well as a wealth of amazing cafes and restaurants to dine in. If you’re looking to get in some physical activity during your vacation, there are plenty of beachside promenades in the city that are great for a jog or a leisurely walk. However, if you really want to see everything that Tas-Sliema has to offer, the best way to do so is by hiring a motor scooter and cruising around the city on your own schedule.
Here is everything you need to know about scooter hire in Tas-Sliema. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motorcycle as well. This guide includes:
- The best places to find motor scooter hire in Tas-Sliema
- The normal cost of motor scooter rental in Tas-Sliema
- Whether you need an international driving permit to hire a motorbike in Malta
- Whether it’s safe to drive a rental scooter around Tas-Sliema
- The best things to do in Tas-Sliema with a motor scooter
Where Can You Find a Scooter Rental in Tas-Sliema?
If you plan on flying into Malta International Airport, the only international airport serving the Maltese Islands, you may not be able to find motor scooter hire right at the airport; however, there are several rental companies situated very close to the airport. So, you can take a taxi from the airport to one of the rental companies and then ride straight to your accommodation in Tas-Sliema.
If you want to wait until you get to the town of Tas-Sliema to hire a motor scooter, there are several places around the town where you can find rental shops. There are a whole bunch of rental services available in the areas around St. Julian’s Bay. There are also many places to rent a motorbike around the popular beaches, such as Sliema Beach, Fond Ghadir Beach, and MedAsia Playa.
What Is the Normal Price of a Scooter Hire in Sliema?
While hiring a scooter in Tas-Sliema isn’t exactly cheap, it also isn’t overly expensive. If you want to rent an average scooter, such as a Kymco Agility 125, you can expect to pay around €30 per day. If you want to go for a motorcycle, of course, you’re going to have to pay a little more. Something like a Hyosung Aquila 250 will cost you around €40 per day.
Whatever kind of vehicle you plan on renting, you should make sure to ask about insurance and helmet rental. First of all, you should always wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle or motor scooter, even if you have to pay a little more to rent one. Secondly, you should never drive in a foreign country if you don’t have insurance. Also, you should see if your rental company offers reduced rates for weekly or monthly rentals.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit to Hire a Scooter in Malta?
If you have a driver’s license from a country that’s part of the European Union, you do not need an international driving permit to hire a scooter in Malta. Your EU driver’s license will be recognized by local law enforcement. Even if you’re from a country outside of the EU, you are allowed to drive with your national driver’s license in Malta for up to 12 months. After the 12 months is up, you will need to get a Maltese driver’s license.
However, while an international driving permit is not mandatory for foreigners, it may still be a good idea to get one just in case you get pulled over by law enforcement and they cannot read the language on your license. If you want to apply for your IDP, you can do so online here. There is a $20 application fee. You should apply at least two weeks before departing for Malta because that’s how long it typically takes to arrive in the mail. Once you have your international driving permit, it will be valid for one full year.
Is It Safe to Drive a Moped Around Tas-Sliema?
First of all, if you’re coming from the United States to Malta, you might be a little confused by the fact that they drive on the left side of the road. That means that you’ll be crossing traffic when you go to make a right turn. You should also be prepared for windy mountain roads that can often be very narrow. You might also have to get used to seeing donkeys and horse-drawn carts on the road alongside cars and buses.
Driving in Malta can feel very chaotic as local drivers will often disobey the rules of the road in order to get around slower drivers. They also tend to honk the horn more than drivers in other parts of the world. With all that being said, though, Malta has the smallest number of motor-related fatalities than any other European nation. So, in summary, you shouldn’t be nervous about driving in Malta.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Tas-Sliema With a Motor Scooter?
Now that you’re an expert on everything related to hiring a motor scooter in Tas-Sliema, Malta, here are some of the best places to go around the town to get you started on your journey:
Tigne Point Beach
Winding around the edge of Sliema is one of the best places in the world to experience the crystal-clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea: Tigne Point Beach. Parts of the beach sit beneath the walls of the old Fort Tigne, which you can climb onto via a set of concrete paths and steps to enjoy outstanding views of the water. The beach is definitely more popular between May and September, though, when locals flock to cool off in the summer months.
In the fall and spring, the water at Tigne Point beach is still tolerable and you might even see some crazy locals taking a plunge in the middle of winter. But, regardless of what time of the year it is, Tigne Point is a fantastic place to get a view of Tas-Sliema and the capital city Valletta.
Manoel Island
If you want the feeling of stepping into the past, take a trip to Manoel Island, a part of Sliema that juts out to the south. For whatever reason, Manoel Island seems to have resisted modernization more than the other parts of the city, and the area is still filled with limestone boulders and rolling bushes that have not been built over. It’s not difficult to find yourself in a nice natural area to watch the waves of the Mediterranean roll in.
On Manoel Island, you can also see some historic monuments and examples of 16th-century architecture. The building of Lazzaretto was used to quarantine patients during the Black Plague and its history is as interesting as it is sad. You can also visit Fort Manoel, which was originally built by the Knights of St. John. Later, the fort was built up and used as British barracks during World War II.
Fond Ghadir
If you’re making your way to Tas-Sliema, you’re probably most interested in lounging out by the ocean and taking in beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea. Well, imagine sitting in a bathing pool carved out of natural stone and letting the waves gently roll over you. Luckily, to achieve this, all you have to do is take a short scooter ride to Fond Ghadir, an area known as the “Roman Baths” to the locals. And, while these bathing pools actually only date back to the 1800s, they're still a great place to kick back and feel like an emperor.
If you want to make the most of your experience at Fond Ghadir, bring yourself a cooler full of cold beverages, some food, and a towel. Relax in the sun until things get too hot and then jump into one of the many bathing pools to cool down. Maybe even talk to some of the locals that are bound to be walking around the area.
See All of Sliema on a Rental Scooter
Can you imagine a better vacation than cruising down the Maltese coastline, feeling the Mediterranean breeze on your face, and smelling the salty water? Well, make your way over to Tas-Sliema, hire a motor scooter, and have the time of your life!
Written by 
