Wise Owl Bookshop

Wise Owl Bookshop is an independent seller whose motto is simple: affordable and new books. Its main shop is in Victoria, the capital of Gozo, which Maltese people still call by its older name of Rabat, and a second shop trades in Birkirkara on the main island. For a UK visitor, it is a friendly alternative to the larger chains, with English paperbacks at modest prices and a good shelf of books in Maltese.

The business appears among the bookshops in Malta in our directory, and it is one of the few that serves both islands.

What the shelves hold

The online shop is organised into plain categories: activity books, art and crafts, book sets, biography, comic books, children's books, classics, cookery and health, colouring books, educational titles, fiction, history and war, journals, languages, manga, philosophy, self help, toys, true stories and young adult. English-language fiction is well represented, including popular romance, family sagas and historical series, often sold as complete sets.

There are also practical and hobby titles, such as guides to keeping chickens, gardening manuals and nature writing, and a field guide to the Majjistral Nature and History Park. Prices are shown in euros, with examples from €2.50 and many books between €4.00 and €15.00, while a few collector sets cost more. Some listings show as sold out, so stock moves quickly.

Children are well served too. Alongside picture books and activity books there are Dr Seuss favourites, soft toy and book combinations, colouring books and early readers. Parents on holiday can pick up a few inexpensive titles to keep younger travellers busy, and teenagers will find manga, fantasy series and young adult romance without paying full publisher prices.

Books in Maltese and Maltese authors

Wise Owl is closely tied to Wise Owl Publications, which publishes Maltese writers. The shop highlights new titles in Maltese, from novels for adults to illustrated books for young children, such as story sets about fairies, a series of adventure readers for Year 3 pupils and counting and seasons books for the very young.

Visitors curious about the language will find a children's book a gentle way in, and families settling on the islands may be glad of the Maltese reading material that schools expect. The publisher also helps schools to arrange visits from Maltese authors, with pupils ordering signed copies in advance.

Visiting the Gozo and Birkirkara shops

If you are exploring Gozo, the Victoria shop is easy to combine with a walk around the Citadel and the market streets; our Gozo guide covers the island's sights, and you can compare hotels in Gozo if you are planning a stay. On a rainy day, a browse through new paperbacks is a pleasant break.

Gozo also has a strong outdoor scene, with nearby businesses such as Apnea Total Malta freediving and Aloha Boat Charters Malta. For wider ideas, see things to do in Malta and the Malta weather guide.

Opening hours and ordering

The Birkirkara shop is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00 and on Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00, and it is closed on Sundays. The Gozo times are printed in a split pattern with an error in the evening figure, so confirm them before you make the trip.

Online orders are posted to Malta and Gozo only. Overseas customers need to ask the shop about shipping, so UK readers are best served by visiting in person. For a second independent seller in our listings, see Agenda Bookshop.

Getting in touch

If you want to know whether a title is in stock, which shop holds it or how to buy Maltese books, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the business.