Ta' Qali Artisan Village

Ta' Qali Artisan Village is the place to watch Maltese craftspeople at work and take home something handmade. It lies under the bastions of Mdina, the old capital, across 105,000 square metres, and is popular with visitors and locals alike. Inside, you can see lace, glass-blowing, filigree, jewellery, pottery, furniture-making, metalwork and stonework being produced.

On VisitMalta.co.uk the village appears in our directory of gift shops in Malta, which suits the way most visitors use it: wandering between workshops and buying directly from the maker.

What you can see and buy

The village is a collection of independent workshops. Valletta Glass is one of the island's best-known traditional glassblowing studios. Mediterranean Ceramics, set up in 2008 by David and Brian Grima, brings more than twenty years of earthenware and ceramics experience. Malta Stone makes handcrafted pieces from Maltese limestone and calcite, and a gold and silver workshop produces jewellery from 9ct to 18ct gold and 925 silver, including filigree.

Other makers include Abraham Woodworks, a family business producing wooden doors, furniture and complete kitchens, Medina Steels for bespoke steelwork mixed with wood, ceramic, marble and terrazzo, Scic Crafts Studio for personalised wooden gifts such as frames and keepsake boxes, and NemNem Candle for candles inspired by Maltese tradition. The MANI Centre showcases locally made crafts. For books about the islands to read afterwards, the directory also lists the Agenda Bookshop.

The village is part of a wider push to protect Maltese craftsmanship. A national strategy for the artisan sector, called Crafting Ahead, was launched in January 2026, and a dedicated Artisan Villages Malta website went live in April 2026 to showcase the island's craft traditions and creative industries. For visitors, the result is a living showcase of skills passed down through generations rather than a souvenir arcade.

Visiting hours and getting here

The gates are open daily, but opening times vary from artisan to artisan. Arriving in the morning gives the best chance of seeing makers at work. Most workshops open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday, and some are open on Sunday. Most shops close on public holidays, although events sometimes keep some open.

By car, the village sits at the foot of Mdina near the Ta' Qali National Park and the National Stadium, and signs lead you in. By bus, several routes stop at the entrance or within five minutes' walk, at the stop named Snajja: route 56 from Valletta, route 202 from Sliema and St Julian's, and route 186 from St Paul's Bay and Buġibba. Our Valletta guide and things to do in Malta pages help you combine the trip with the capital.

Facilities and accessibility

There is ample parking and there are restrooms by the main entrance and near the North Gate. An on-site café serves coffee and traditional Maltese ftira, with picnic zones for packed lunches, and free Wi-Fi is available in the central square.

The terrain is flat with paved pathways suited to wheelchairs, walkers and pushchairs, and ramps lead into the major workshops. If you need help during a demonstration or workshop, contact the village in advance or ask any member of staff on arrival.

Planning a day around Mdina

The village is just below Mdina, so many visitors pair the two. Our Mdina guide explains the silent city, and staying nearby is covered in our hotels in Mdina and Rabat guide. The island's old-world craft traditions also tie in with its history, which our Knights of Malta guide explores, and with the temples at the Ħal-Tarxien Prehistoric Complex. Check our Malta weather guide for the best months to wander outdoors.

To plan a visit or ask about a craft, a workshop or a gift, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the village.