Lying on a promontory across the Grand Harbour from Valetta, Sliema is the island’s leading tourist area. Initially a fishing town, it developed in the early 20th Century as a summer resort for wealthy Valetta residents, who built elegant villas there. Sliema has a magnificent five-kilometre promenade full of banks, supermarkets, restaurants, shops and children’s playgrounds. Many day cruise boats can be taken from its pier. The promenade has a wonderful view on Valetta across the bay and on the open sea, which can be admired from conveniently-positioned benches, and is a popular meeting place in the long summer evenings.