Shopping · Valletta · Malta
Shopping in Valletta
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: C T Johansson, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Valletta's main shopping streets are Republic Street and Merchants Street, with Maltese crafts and food products the best buys. Larger malls and international brands are in Sliema. Best souvenirs: Maltese filigree, Mdina glass and Gozo lace.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 2
- Top souvenir
- Maltese filigree
Where to shop
Republic Street
The main pedestrian street from City Gate, with fashion chains, jewellers and souvenir shops.
Merchants Street
Parallel to Republic Street, with smaller shops and a daily street market for clothing and goods.
Tigné Point and The Strand, Sliema
Malta's biggest concentration of shopping malls and international brands.
Markets
Is-Suq tal-Belt
Valletta's restored 19th-century covered market on Merchants Street, now a food hall with stalls and a supermarket.
Marsaxlokk Sunday market
Fish, fresh produce, honey and souvenirs along the harbour of the fishing village.
What to buy
Maltese filigree
Fine silver and gold filigree jewellery, often featuring the eight-pointed Maltese cross.
Mdina glass
Colourful hand-blown glass from workshops at Ta' Qali, sold in Valletta shops.
Gozo lace
Traditional bobbin lace, best bought on Gozo from local makers.
Local food products
Kunserva tomato paste, capers, carob syrup, honey and Maltese wines.
Ħelwa tat-Tork
A sweet sesame and sugar confection, sold in blocks in shops and markets.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Street · Lower Valletta
Strait Street
The narrowest long street in Valletta was once the Gut, a strip of bars and music halls frequented by British and American sailors.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- History
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Ħobż biż-żejt, Ftira, Bigilla and Imqaret. Snack bars and cafés across the island, especially near swimming spots. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Valletta | $$$$ | City Gate, Republic Street and the cathedral end of the capital |
| Floriana | $$ | Bastion suburb of gardens and the Granaries just outside City Gate |
| Sliema | $$$ | Seafront promenade, shopping and swimming platforms facing Valletta |
| Gżira and Ta' Xbiex | $$ | Marina-side apartments and local restaurants facing Manoel Island |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in EUR. Tipping is appreciated rather than expected. Around 5–10% in restaurants for good service is normal if service is not already included; round up for taxis.
- Swimwear belongs on the beach or rocks; put on a top before walking into town or a shop.
- A multi-day bus card pays off quickly if you take several buses a day.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January; the busiest months are July–August.
- January: Valletta Baroque Festival (usually January)
- April: Malta International Fireworks Festival (usually late April, over the Grand Harbour)
- July: Malta Jazz Festival (usually July, on the Valletta waterfront)
- December: Christmas lights and nativity cribs across Valletta (December)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for families, shopping, beach and first-timers
Sliema
Seafront promenade, shopping and swimming platforms facing Valletta
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Valletta?
Maltese filigree, Mdina glass, Gozo lace and Local food products.
+Where is the best shopping in Valletta?
Republic Street: The main pedestrian street from City Gate, with fashion chains, jewellers and souvenir shops.
+What are the best markets in Valletta?
Is-Suq tal-Belt and Marsaxlokk Sunday market.