SOLO

SOLO is an independent record and book shop on Bordin Street in Msida, and it is aimed at people who like their music on vinyl and their reading on the visual side. The shelves are organised by genre and subject, so you can browse a punk section one minute and a rack of photography books the next. If you are a UK collector visiting Malta, it is the sort of shop worth a detour from the usual beach and sightseeing routine. Designers, illustrators, photographers, musicians and anyone who enjoys flicking through a record bin will feel at home, and the range also suits people who simply want an unusual gift.

The shop appears in our directory of bookshops in Malta. You can send a question through the enquiry form on this page, and we will pass it on.

Vinyl records by genre

The records are sorted into clear genre groups. Electronic, techno and ambient sit together, as do folk and world music, hip hop and reggae, and soul, blues and jazz. Heavier tastes are covered by metal, doom and stoner, punk, punk rock and hardcore, and post-punk and dark sounds, while psychedelic, hard rock and prog form a group of their own.

There are also sections for post-rock, experimental and instrumental music, rock and indie, and rock'n'roll, lo-fi and garage. In short, the stock runs from wave, noise and hardcore to reggae and hip hop, so a digger with specific tastes has a good chance of finding a corner that suits.

Stock changes as records sell and new ones arrive, so if you are hunting for a particular title or pressing, it is best to ask before you travel. Bringing a list of artists or subjects you like makes the enquiry easier to answer, and a short note on format and budget helps too.

Books, prints and merchandise

The book side leans towards art and design. Categories include architecture and design, art, graphic design and typography, graphic novels, illustration, lifestyle, photography, street art, underground culture and writing, plus zines. The shop also mentions tattoo, non-fiction, novels, comics, food and history among its subjects.

Alongside books you will find prints, t-shirts, bags, mugs and notebooks, which make easy gifts to take home in a suitcase. For visitors planning a day in the area, our Valletta guide and the things to do in Malta page suggest what to pair with a visit.

Opening hours and getting there

The shop opens Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and again from 16:00 to 19:00, and on Saturday from 11:00 to 18:00. Many small Maltese shops close for a midday break, so plan around the gap between 14:00 and 16:00. No Sunday or Monday hours are listed, so do not plan a visit for those days.

Msida is a lively, central town and sits beside the Msida Creek between Valletta and the Sliema and Gżira waterfront, so it is easy to combine with a day out. Browsing a shop like this makes a relaxed, unhurried break from museums and beaches, especially on a hot afternoon when you would rather be indoors. The Upper Barrakka Gardens and St John's Co-Cathedral are nearby in the capital, and a new record or book makes good company for the beach, as our best beaches in Malta list shows.

Planning your visit

If you are exploring further afield, our Mdina guide, Three Cities guide and Gozo guide cover the island's older towns, and where to stay in Malta explains the main areas to base yourself. For general background, read about Malta.

To check whether SOLO has a record or book you are after, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the shop.