The two main streets for shopping are Republic street and Merchant street these are lined with well-known stores so if you’re looking for something a little more unique then head off into the side streets.Chaotic scenes at the Valletta fast ferry terminal as passengers were turned away. Today things are a little quieter on Strada Stretta but it’s still a great destination for delicious food, good drinks and live-music. During the 19th and mid-20th century this was the city’s most popular entertainment district whereĪmerican and British military men would mingle with locals for wild nights out – there’s a reason why it was nicknamed “The Gut”! There were bars, live jazz music, bordellos, entertainment halls and rooming houses – and lots of people out to have a good time.

Strait Street, known as Strada Stretta to locals, is Valletta’s most famous address. Every street of this small city hides its own share of courtyards, churches, alleyways, artisans and shopkeepers but remember to look up so you don’t miss the painted gallariji (enclosed balconies). One of the best things to do in Valletta is simply to wander around and you should definitely schedule some time for exploring the old limestone alleys. On the ground floor is where you’ll find the food court and 15 different stands serving Maltese street food, Turkish kebabs, Mexican tacos and more.Ī local favourite, Da’ Pippo Trattoria serves whatever they can source fresh that day so while you can’t expect a menu you can expect delicious dishes. Spread over three floors the basement is home to an enormous deli selling everything from fresh fish to spices. Is-Suq tal-Belt is a cool food market housed within a once-derelict Victorian building. Pixxispad, grilled swordfish steak, is another local favourite.įor lunch head to The Harbour Club, where each dish is named after a different street in the Maltese capital. You will find fresh fish on most Maltese menus including Lampuka (also known as Mahi-mahi), which is caught seasonally from August through to December. These fluffy pastries com stuffed with either ricotta cheese or a type of pea puree and a a hugely popular snack. Some of the most popular dishes to try include pastizzi. There are some excellent dining options these days in Valletta serving all kinds of cuisine but do make sure to try some traditional Maltese dishes while here. While the Maltese might not be big on breakfast, the same can not be said for lunch and dinner. See our full disclosure policy for more details. I have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. Today, it’s a wonderful, wanderable city and, at less than a mile long, it’s also almost impossible to get lost!ĭisclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Valetta’s design, based on rectangular grids of wide, straight streets, remains unchanged today – the Knights believed that having straight streets would make the city easier to defend. Valetta itself was designed by military engineer Francesco Laparelli who created the capital after the Knight’s victory at the Great Siege of Malta in 1565 when 700 knights and 8,000 local troops defeated 40,000 Ottoman Turks. Recognising that what the island lacked in resources they more than made up for in strategic location, the Knights set about building forts, watch towers and fortifications along the coast.

The Christian military order had been gifted the island (along with neighbouring Gozo) by King Charles V of Spain, then ruler of Malta. The first foundation stone for Valetta was laid in March 1566 by the Knights of St John.

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