IL-Merill Aparthotel is centrally , though quietly located in the heart of Sliema , Malta’s leading metropolitan area. The property is ideally positioned , within walking distance of the Strand Sliema , with a beautiful rocky beach only five minutes away. There are also direct links with Malta’s capital city , Valletta , the old capital Mdina , and the bustling St. Julians – Paceville , via Sliema’s bus terminus. Sliema and the coastline up to neighbouring St. Julians constitutes Malta's main coastal resort. It is a centre for shopping , restaurants and café life. Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area , and houses several of Malta's most popular hotels. Tower Road is its 5Km promenade , full of shops , restaurants , pubs , banks , supermarkets , Internet cafés , and day cruise boats. The road continues north to St. Julians and Paceville and southward towards the Strand Gzira , Ta' Xbiex , Msida and Valletta. Sliema was once a fishing town on the peninsula , across the Grand Harbour from Valletta. The areas' elegant villas and town houses line the quiet , inland streets. The Sliema promontory offers on one side stunning views across to Valletta , and on the other open sea views. The promenade , which runs for several kilometres from Gzira just south of Sliema to St Julian's , is ideal for walkers and joggers. There are plenty of seats along the promenade , and on summer evenings the seafront becomes a sociable meeting place for locals.