Sight guide · Valletta · Malta
Visiting 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.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mandyy88, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Strait Street is a street in Lower Valletta, Valletta. Allow 1–2 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Street
- Area
- Lower Valletta
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, after dark, food and history
- Best months
- March, May and November
About 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. Many old bar signs survive, and the street now holds wine bars, small restaurants and occasional live music.
Tip: Come after dark for a glass of Maltese wine at a table set out in the narrow street.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–2 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Lower Valletta, quieter residential streets, Strait Street bars and Fort St Elmo.
Best time to visit Strait Street
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- March: 18°C (64°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- November: 21°C (70°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 2 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Valletta has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Valletta itinerary visits Strait Street on day 2, together with Fort St Elmo and National War Museum, Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell and Casa Rocca Piccola.
- No. 12 of the 16 sights in our Valletta things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Valletta.
Near Strait Street
Also in Lower Valletta, so you can walk between them:
- Manoel Theatre — 45 minutes, low cost
- Casa Rocca Piccola — 1 hour, mid-priced
- Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell — 30 minutes, free
If you like Strait Street
- City Gate, Parliament House and Pjazza Teatru Rjal — Upper Valletta, 30 minutes
Staying near Strait Street
Stay in Lower Valletta ($$$) to walk here: quieter residential streets, Strait Street bars and Fort St Elmo. All areas to stay in Valletta.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Strait Street?
Plan 1–2 hours. With Manoel Theatre nearby, it fits a half-day in Lower Valletta.
+Is Strait Street free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Strait Street?
March, May and November, the quietest of the good months. Come after dark for a glass of Maltese wine at a table set out in the narrow street.
+Do I need to book Strait Street in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.