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There is plenty of tempting must-buys to take home. For a taste of the Mediterranean, choose among the many local deli treats from olives and sun-dried tomatoes to fine wines. If you want something to appreciate for longer, try the intricate, filigree silverware or a work from one of the Islands' renowned artists.
Markets
Markets play an integral part in the Maltese culture. Almost every town and village has its version. They are an exercise in social networking also, catching up with neighbours and local news, apart from buying daily necessities.
For treasure hunting, search the bric-a-brac at the Sunday market, Il-Monti, just outside Valletta's city gate. For more mainstream goods, try the daily market in Merchant Street, Valletta. A weekly market is held on Tuesdays on the outskirts of Cospicua, one of the Three Cities. Then there is Tokk, the daily market on the main square in Victoria, Gozo at which you'll find everything from fishing pots to beach towels.
For local colour, nothing beats Marsaxlokk fish market. You'll come across a wide variety of very edible and tasty fishes on display. Many tour operators organise trips to Marsaxlokk, but be prepared for an early start if you want to see the best of the catch. A necessity if you're self-catering, but fun and worth a trip if you want to buy some deli delights is the supermarket. All major centres are served by super or mini-markets.
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Traditional handcrafted glass is produced across the Islands. Some factories are open for visits. Favourite objects include vases and figurines sometimes swirled with Mediterranean-inspired hues of blue. Potteries produce too vast a range of items to describe, but there is something for everyone from practical items for the house to more decorative objects.
Basketware and wickerwork are local crafts with a practical purpose. Maltese homes use cane blinds, hasira, on doors and windows to cut out the harsh summer sun. But there are numerous smaller items to take home as well.
If you're visiting Gozo in high summer, don't be surprised to find heavy-knit sweaters on display all over the Island. Plan for winter and stock pure-wool knitted sweater. Woven wool rugs in cream and white are also favourite buys.
Gozo is also famed for its fine lace. Women still perch outside on doorsteps working the bobbin. There has been a revival in recent years in this traditional craft.
Fashion and music
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In Sliema, shopping action is found on two main streets, Bisazza Street and Tower Road, but the side streets house interesting options, especially for fashion, sports, interiors and shoes. Up the coast, St Julian's has excellent shopping, leisure and entertainment outlets.
Valletta has several shopping malls and arcades. Along Republic Street and amongst the grid of streets with tiny crafts shops, restorers and household shops, Valletta has designer names, fashion, music and much more too. Another advantage of shopping in Malta is the abundance of café and restaurants to stop off at.
Antiques
As home to so many of Europe's nobility from the 16th to 18th centuries, it is not surprising that Malta has a reputation for some of the finest antiques and examples of craftsmanship. From furniture and silverware to maritime prints, art, distinctive Maltese clocks, the Islands' museums and palaces house myriad gems.
Antique shops are scattered across almost every town. Some handle finer items, while those offering what seems like bric-a-brac reveal cherished curios and items of bygone times. Both style of shops are a delight. Alternatively, visit an open-air market. In Victoria, Gozo, you'll find several rustic antique shops spilling their wares out on the pavements.
To view antiques in their setting, visit the palaces open to the public, especially Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar, and Casa Rocca Piccola, Valletta, both homes to Maltese nobility. If you want to export antiques, first check if the artefact is over 50 years old. If it is, you will need an export licence issued by the Museums Department.
