Shopping in Malta

Where to shop

In Malta there are no major malls and only a couple of smaller shopping arcades in the modern resort region of Sliema.  In contrast, the narrow streets of Valletta, Mdina/Rabat and Victoria have a wealth of smaller shops hidden away around every corner.  Markets are also very popular and the chief markets in Valletta are the open market on Merchant Street and the huge Sunday market at St James Ditch.  Most markets sell everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to collectibles, even animals.  Markets take place in the mornings and the stallholders will have packed away by noon. 

 

There are also two crafts centres for you to walk around.  Here you can not only buy goods, but also see the craftsmen in action.  Ta’ Qali in Malta is situated near Mdina and on Gozo you will find the craft centre at Ta’ Dbiegi, San Lawrenz on the road to the Azure window.

What to buy

TEXTILES
Lace is the island’s speciality.  Only a few years ago it was common to see the women of every village sitting out in their shady courtyards producing lace.  Most of the authentic handmade items you will observe are made on Gozo, but, beware however of imitation lace.  Among the assortment of genuine items are lace-edged handkerchiefs, napkins, tablecloths and full-lace shawls. 

 

Equally abundant are the cheap and chunky woollen cardigans and sweaters that hang outside the shops in Malta and Gozo.  Cotton goods such as T-shirts, towels and jeans are very reasonably priced, particularly in markets.

 

Malta Weave is an especially hardwearing cloth that is used for creating dresses, skirts, tablecloth and bedspreads. 

 

BRASS AND IRON
Replica brass dolphin door-knockers, as seen in Malta and other old quarters, are favourite souvenirs.  Wrought ironwork is a local tradition and items range from candlesticks to an entire suit or armour.

 

CERAMICS
Modern potters use both traditional and modern designs and you can purchase pieces with a variety of glazes, although styles are mainly rustic, in browns and blues.  Reasonably priced are the ceramic and sculpture ‘seconds’, sold at the Craft Centre in Ta’ Qali.

 

GLASS
Local glassware is stylish, marvellously coloured, and reasonably priced. It is handmade on both Malta and Gozo.   The typical bright colours that swirl within every piece are introduced by adding powdered pigments as the glass is in its molten state.  Selections of items are produced, from vases to bowls to perfume bottles.  Each item is produced in colours reflecting the dominant tenors of the island, blues and aqua of the sea, verdant greens of the spring landscape, and the beige of the sand and rocks in the hot summer sun.

 

JEWELLERY
More portable than glass, and often just as striking, is the delicate filigree silver and gold jewellery produced by Maltese artisans.  You can observe them at work in many places and prices are often keen.  The streets of Valletta are the best place of shop.

 

EDIBLES
One theory about the origin of Malta’s name is that it came from melita, the Greek work for honey.  It indicates how significant this foodstuff was to the islands in ancient times.  These days honey is used to sweeten a choice of Maltese dishes and you ca buy pots of it to take home.

 

Cheese is one of the major products, particularly on Gozo, where it is still hand produced on small farms.  The small rounds of sheep’s milk cheese can be compared with Italian mozzarella and are served fresh, covered in herbs or peppered or preserved in olive oil; with sun-dried tomatoes.

 

For those with a sweet tooth, the nougat and toffee produced here is excellent.  You can buy large blocks of both at stalls in every market and at festas.

 

Malta also produces an remarkable alcoholic liqueur.  Bajtra is prepared from the juice of the prickly pear – found in abundance all across the island – which imparts a purple tinge to the liquid.  The juice is flavoured with herbs and honey, and the resulting drink is unique.