Malta’s markets are working markets rather than craft fairs, so they are worth the early start. Two of them are worth building a morning around.
A food walk helps you avoid the tourist menus along the harbour.
The markets worth an early start
Marsaxlokk
The fishing village market runs along the harbour with the painted luzzu (a traditional fishing boat) boats behind it. Fish first thing, then a long run of stalls selling everything else.
Go early. By eleven it is shoulder to shoulder and the fish has gone. There is a smaller market on other days that is mostly souvenirs.
Eating by the water
Ta’ Qali farmers market
Growers sell their produce direct to you on the site of the old airfield. Cheaper and better than any supermarket, and the place to buy ġbejniet (small dried sheep cheeses), tomatoes and whatever is in season.
If you are self-catering, this solves the week in one trip.
Self-catering stays
The Valletta street market
Merchant Street carries a daily open-air market of clothes, household goods and some food.
The covered Is-Suq hall is now a food court rather than a market, which is worth knowing before you make a trip for it.
Indoor ideas
Where and when
- Marsaxlokk, Sunday
- The fishing village market along the harbour, with the painted luzzu boats behind it. Fish in the morning, then a long run of stalls. Go early: by eleven the fish is gone.
- Ta’ Qali farmers market
- Produce direct from growers, near Attard. Cheaper and better than any supermarket, and the place to buy ġbejniet and whatever is in season.
- Valletta, weekday mornings
- Merchant Street carries a daily open-air market of clothes, household goods and some food. The covered Is-Suq hall is now a food court.
- The Monti
- Most towns have a weekly street market, locally called the monti (an open-air street market), selling clothes and household goods rather than produce. Useful, rarely scenic.
Parking is the whole problem. The village fills from about nine and the approach roads back up well before that. The bus is the better option, and arriving at eight rather than ten changes the morning completely.