Shopping in Malta is a significant part of visiting the country. If you want to bring home some souvenirs from your trip to Malta, there will be an overwhelming amount of options at your disposal. To make sure you get the best products without paying exorbitant prices, we have put together this shopping guide that will help you shop till you drop in Malta. 

Shopping In Malta: Some Basic Information and Tips

• Most brick and mortar retailers are closed on Sunday. On other days of the week, the usual operating hours are 9 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM. 

• Euro is the local currency. You can get your dollar bills exchanged in banks, which offer the best rates. Some hotels also offer money exchange services. You can also find several money exchange agencies across the country. 

• The banks are closed on Sunday. On Saturday, the banks operate between 8:30 am to 12:30 PM. On weekdays, banks provide customer services from 8 AM to 1:30 PM. 

• Mastercard, VISA and American Express issued cards are widely accepted in Malta. ATMs are also abundant. 

• Avoid smaller shops as they tend to charge excessive prices from tourists. Shop from supermarkets and bigger shops to get the best deals. 

• Sliema is the shopping hub of Malta. If you can’t find anything there, you won’t find it anywhere else in the country. 

Where To Go To Buy Crafts And Jewellery In Malta? 

Because of the high level of detail reached by Maltese artisans and jewellers, Malta’s crafts and jewellery have developed a global appeal. If you shop at the right place, you will find the prices quite reasonable. 

Browse through the traditional styles of silver and gold filigree pendants, bracelets, and earrings. Maltese silverware is a valuable element of the country’s heritage, and collectors hunt for it in auction houses around the world. Check for the Maltese Government Consul seal for verifying the authenticity of the items before you buy. 

You should also check out the handmade glassware Maltese artisans make. You can custom made the items if you visit the factories. Ready-made designs are commonly available in markets across the country. Pottery items are also popular tourist grabs. 

Basket ware and wickerwork are Maltese crafts that are both decorative and functional. Hasiras is the best-seller item within this category. These are cane-made window blinds that keep out the scorching sun. 

Hand-knitted woollen clothing in bright and traditional motifs will be constant reminders of your visit to Malta. The carpets, in particular, are quite famous for their high durability and beautiful design. 

The Ta’Qali crafts village in Valletta is the prime go-to location for buying traditional Maltese crafts. In these stores, you can see the craftsmen working their magic right in front of you. It’s guaranteed that you won’t return empty-handed from there. 

Go to the Cittadella Crafts & Shopping Center (Victoria) and the Ta’Dbiegi Crafts Center if you opt to take the ferry to Gozo. These shops are highly recommended for shopping for authentic Maltese handicrafts. 

Where To Shop For Fashion Products In Malta? 

Valletta, as Malta’s capital, boasts a plethora of shopping complexes and arcades, particularly along Republic Street. Top local and international fashion brands can be found here. 

But, you might find the choices more diversified in Sliema. Hailed as Malta’s shopping Mecca,  Sliema houses the best fashion stores operating in the country. Perfumes, clothes, shoes-whatever you are looking for, you can expect to get the best prices here. 

Where To Shop For Antiques In Malta?

Malta is also known for its fine antiques, which is understandable given that the islands were home to numerous aristocrats between the 16th and 18th centuries. 

Silverware, clocks, furniture, marine items, and jewellery are among the most spectacular antiques you will find for purchase in the country. You will find antique stores in all towns, but we would suggest buying from open-air markets for cheaper rates. 

Best Souvenirs To Buy In Malta

Maltese Wine

Thanks to the country’s amicable climate, the breweries in Malta produce premium quality wine. Meridiana, Delicata, Marnisi, and Marsovin are the most famous wine producers in Malta. You can go to their vineyards and cellars, indulge in some wine tasting, and bring home a few bottles. 

These producers make wine from usual grape types like Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. On top of that, they source some of their wines from local grape types like the Ghirghentina and Gellewza to create unique flavours. 

Limestone Art

Limestone can be found all around Malta, from architecture to nature to products adorning the shelves of shops. The decors are one of the most common Maltese souvenirs people buy and you can fancy them to add a bit more glamour to your living room. 

Bus Toys

Buses used to be the lifeblood of the Maltese public transportation system. Now, people have become more reliant on taxis, Uber and other ride-sharing apps. Even though the utility of buses has diminished, they still bear significant cultural importance in Malta, similar to the red telephone boxes you would still see around the islands. 

The vibrant toy buses are a token of the Maltese culture. For this reason, they sell like hotcakes among tourists. You can get one too to remind you of the memories you made in Malta. 

Pottery & Ceramics

If you are on the lookout for something that will make a genuine difference in your interior aesthetics, we would suggest you go for Maltese ceramics and pottery. The blend of Mediterranean colours, patterns, and designs make these items an irresistible package. 

Almost all the pottery and ceramics you will find in Maltese markets are handcrafted by local artisans. These are the perfect souvenirs to bring back from Malta and will also serve as excellent gift items for your family and friends. 

Qubbajt

If you have a sweet tooth, you must try out the Maltese nougat, also known as Qubbajt. It’s equally popular among children and adults in Malta. We are sure once you taste a bar of Qubbajt, you will not be able to resist the temptation of bringing some back home to share with your loved ones.