The best bars in Valletta

Trabuxu is one of Valletta’s most iconic places for a drink in a more intimate setting. The bar sits in a vaulted cellar, with that unmistakable capital-city feel: stone walls, low lighting, conversations that stretch and glasses of wine that keep arriving slowly.

It is the perfect spot if you want to avoid overly loud bars and start the evening with something more local. Maltese wines, Mediterranean bottles, charcuterie, cheeses and tightly packed tables: Trabuxu ticks every box for a Valletta wine bar you should try at least once.

Bridge Bar is one of the best bars in Valletta if you want a view without overthinking it. Its terrace overlooks the Grand Harbour, with the Three Cities opposite, honey-coloured façades in the sun and a very Maltese mix of locals, travellers and expats.

It is not the most sophisticated bar in the capital, and that is exactly the point. You come for a cold beer, an easy drink, a memorable view and a perfect starting point before walking towards Strait Street.

Café Cordina is not just a café: it is an institution. Right in the heart of Republic Street, it is one of Valletta’s best-known places, with an always-busy terrace and a historic interior that instantly sets the tone.

It is not the most underground address, but it is a logical stop if you are discovering the capital for the first time. Come for coffee by day, a spritz in the late afternoon or a drink before heading down to the livelier alleys around Strait Street.

Strait Street, also called Triq id-Dejqa, is the most obvious place to go out in Valletta. Once the street of British sailors, it has kept its lively, compact and slightly bohemian edge. Today you find bars, small terraces, music spots and cocktail addresses one after another.

The good plan is not to choose one place and stay there all night. Walk, listen to the vibe, enter wherever it moves and switch bars as the evening goes on.

Legligin is a very good option if you want to drink something other than a standard cocktail. The address focuses on Maltese wines, local products and a more relaxed atmosphere, perfect before moving on to a livelier street.

The place is small, so timing matters. Arrive early if you want a table without stress, especially on weekends. It works well for couples, small groups or an aperitif with more food than clubbing.

Café Society captures the newer energy of Valletta well: younger, more creative and more nocturnal. You go for a good cocktail, a lively vibe and a central location without jumping straight into Paceville intensity.

It is an excellent address if you want something livelier than a wine bar but more stylish than a classic pub. It works very well at the beginning of the night, especially if you continue towards Strait Street or St Julian’s.

The Pub is a special address in the capital. It is not a trendy cocktail bar or a panoramic terrace: it is a real pub, simple, historic, full of stories and known by many visitors interested in Malta’s British past.

You go for a pint, a direct atmosphere and an unpretentious stop between more polished bars. It adds variety to a Valletta crawl, especially if you want to mix wine, cocktails and pubs.