Shops at the Valletta Waterfront
The Valletta Waterfront has six shops tucked into its old harbourside stores, covering gifts, leather jackets, Maltese glass, hand-painted ceramics, hats and footwear, and luxury watches. They sit a short stroll from the ship, which makes them ideal for a quick souvenir hunt before you head up into Valletta or back on board.
Written from Valletta Waterfront's own published information. Last checked .
The shops at the waterfront
Global Portier
Forni 1A
A gift shop with a curated mix of elegant items for souvenirs, special occasions and personalised presents.
Global Portier is the place to go when you want a present that feels chosen rather than grabbed. The stock is a carefully edited mix of unique and elegant pieces, suited to birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions as well as straightforward souvenirs.
The shelves are neatly stacked with colourful keepsakes, so it is easy to scan quickly and pick up several small gifts in one go. The shop also offers personalised gifting, which is handy if you would like something with a more individual touch.
Jilda Exclusive Leather
Forni 2F
A leather specialist with men's and women's jackets made with care and a focus on quality.
Jilda Exclusive Leather is dedicated to leather jackets for both men and women. The shop puts its emphasis on quality and a sense of exclusivity, so this is somewhere to try things on properly and take your time rather than grab and go.
A good leather jacket is a purchase you may keep for years. If you are tempted, check the fit, the lining and the feel of the leather, and consider how you will carry it home on the ship or the plane.
Mdina Glass
Founded 1968. Glassmakers can be watched at work at Ta' Qali, free of charge
A Maltese glassmaker founded in 1968, known for handmade decorative and practical glassware.
Mdina Glass has been making glassware by hand since 1968. Its range is wide: tumblers, jugs, vases and bowls for the home, scented candle holders, lanterns, lighting and even sculptures. It is the obvious stop if you want to bring home the Made in Malta glass the islands are known for.
The waterfront shop is a convenient way to see the collection. Those with more time can also visit the maker's base at Ta' Qali, where the glassmakers can be watched at work for free. It pairs nicely with a trip to Mdina, which our Mdina guide describes in more detail.
Mediterranean Ceramics
Forni 2A
A family-run workshop making hand-painted ceramics, lava stone tables and steel structures, with a bespoke service.
Mediterranean Ceramics is a family-run workshop whose speciality is hand-painted ceramics, lava stone tables and steel structures. The patterns are bold and cheerful, in the saturated blues and golds that suit Maltese interiors so well.
The business describes itself as the only workshop offering a fully bespoke service, with custom pieces made for each client. Its atelier and cafe are in the Ta' Qali Crafts Village, close to Mdina, and its products can be carefully packaged and shipped worldwide, which takes the worry out of carrying something delicate.
Mics and Co
Vault 19
Hats, caps, sandals, sunglasses, beachwear and handcrafted wooden gifts for every season.
Mics and Co is the practical stop on a hot day. It stocks a large selection of branded footwear, straw hats, caps and Malta hats, along with sunglasses, beachwear and bandanas. Summer sandals are available in sizes from small children up to adults.
In the cooler months the shop switches to hats, scarves, gloves and umbrellas. For gifts, look for the handcrafted wooden model items, which come in a range of sizes and make a charming souvenir.
Timeless Treasures
Forni 1B
A jeweller and official dealer for Hublot, Omega, Breitling and Bell & Ross watches.
Timeless Treasures grew out of years of experience in high jewellery. It has since added official dealerships for four world-famous watch brands: Hublot, Omega, Breitling and Bell & Ross.
The display of jewellery on velvet busts is a treat to look at even if you are only browsing. If you are thinking of a significant purchase, a quiet visit gives you time to ask questions and compare, away from the bustle of the quay.
Shopping in the old harbourside stores
The Valletta Waterfront is a long row of eighteenth-century stores facing the Grand Harbour, and today the arched doorways hold a small, well-chosen group of shops rather than a sprawling mall. That suits a cruise day well. You can browse at an easy pace in the shade of the colonnade, with your ship in sight, and still have plenty of time left for the capital itself.
Each of the six shops has its own personality. One offers curated gifts, one specialises in leather, one sells Maltese glass, one stocks hand-painted ceramics, one is the place for hats and sandals, and one is an official dealer for several famous watch brands. Between them you can cover most of a souvenir list in one short walk.
If you are planning a wider visit, the neighbouring restaurants and bars at the waterfront make a natural pause between shops, and the main Valletta Waterfront guide shows how everything fits together along the quay.
What to buy in Malta
Malta has a strong tradition of craft, and the best souvenirs tend to be things made on the islands rather than imported trinkets. The cruise port highlights three local favourites: mouth-blown glass, local delicatessen foods and handmade ceramics. All three can be found at, or close to, the waterfront.
Mouth-blown glass is one of the island's best-known Made in Malta products. Pieces range from traditional shapes to bright, modern designs, and prices run across a wide spread, so there is something for most budgets. Every piece is shaped by hand, which means no two are quite the same. Lanterns, vases and tumblers all pack well if wrapped carefully.
For food lovers, the local delicatessen basket is a delight: sun-dried tomatoes, peppery and tangy little cheeses called ġbejniet, local honey and the pastries that the Maltese dunk in coffee or tea. These are easy to carry and make friendly gifts for neighbours or colleagues back home, though do check the rules on bringing food into the UK before you buy.
Handmade ceramics complete the trio. Local artisans produce everything from volcanic stone tabletops to small decorative pieces and keepsakes, often painted in the rich blues and yellows you will notice on doors and walls around Valletta. If you enjoy browsing crafts, the Mdina guide points to more workshops on the island.
Shopping tips for cruise passengers
Time is the main thing to manage on a port day, so decide early whether you want to shop before or after your Valletta sightseeing. Many passengers like to head straight up into the city while it is cooler and return to the waterfront later, when they know exactly what they want to take home. Keep an eye on your all-aboard time and leave a comfortable margin.
Carry something light for your purchases. Glass and ceramics are fragile, so ask the shop to wrap them well, and pack them in the middle of a bag rather than on top. Two of the shops mentioned here, Mediterranean Ceramics and Mdina Glass, have workshops at Ta' Qali, so if you fall for something large or delicate, ask about the options for having it packed and sent home.
Summer days in Malta can be hot and bright, which is where a hat, sunglasses or sandals can rescue the afternoon. In cooler months, scarves, gloves and umbrellas are on sale too. For a longer day out, see our suggestions on things to do in Malta, and for the practical side of reaching the quay, our page on getting to the Valletta Waterfront has the details.
Gifts to take home
A good gift is usually small, distinctive and tied to a memory. A hand-blown glass tumbler or a lantern that glows amber in the evening brings the warmth of Malta to a British living room. A painted ceramic dish or a keepsake can sit on a shelf and bring back the colours of the harbour every time you see it.
For family, consider a straw hat or cap printed with Malta, a pair of sandals for a child, or a carved wooden model. For someone special, the leather jackets and the watch dealer offer something more lasting. For friends who enjoy cooking, honey, sun-dried tomatoes and ġbejniet give a real taste of the islands.
Before you buy, it is worth reading our Valletta food guide so you know which flavours to look out for, and the Valletta Cruise Port page to plan around your sailing.
Location
Questions about Shops at the Valletta Waterfront
How many shops are there at the Valletta Waterfront?
There are six shops in the restored stores: Global Portier, Jilda Exclusive Leather, Mdina Glass, Mediterranean Ceramics, Mics and Co and Timeless Treasures, covering gifts, leather, glass, ceramics, hats and watches.
What is the best souvenir to buy in Malta?
Mouth-blown glass, handmade ceramics and local foods such as honey, sun-dried tomatoes and ġbejniet cheeselets are the classic choices, because they are made on the islands and each feels distinctive and personal.
Can I watch glass being made?
Yes. Mdina Glass lets visitors watch its glassmakers at work for free at its Ta' Qali premises, which is a rewarding short trip if your day in Malta allows time to leave the capital.
Can large or fragile purchases be sent home?
Mediterranean Ceramics says its products can be carefully packaged and shipped worldwide, so it is worth asking there about posting larger or fragile pieces rather than carrying them through the port and onto your ship.
Where can I buy a sun hat or sandals?
Mics and Co sells straw hats, caps, sunglasses, beachwear and sandals for children and adults, so it is a convenient stop if you find the Maltese sun stronger than you expected.
Are there luxury watches at the waterfront?
Timeless Treasures is an official dealer for Hublot, Omega, Breitling and Bell & Ross, and it also has a background in high jewellery, so it suits anyone looking for something special.
Is shopping here suitable for a short cruise stop?
Yes. The shops are close to the cruise terminal, so you can browse quickly, then visit Valletta, or do your shopping on the way back, while keeping a comfortable margin before your all-aboard time.
What gifts are good for people who cook?
Local honey, sun-dried tomatoes and ġbejniet cheeselets are popular edible gifts, and a handmade glass jug or ceramic piece makes a lasting present. Check UK rules on bringing food home before you buy.
Photos: Valletta Waterfront and Valletta Cruise Port.