The Grand Harbour is an impressive sight whatever the time of day, but it really comes into its own as the sun starts to dip, painting the sky in amber and blush. For it is then that the golden fortifications wear their soft mantles and prepare themselves for the night. It’s a view which has remained – more or less – unchanged for centuries, and which has been witness to the waves of history experienced by these islands. And for the third consecutive year, every Thursday over the summer quarter, the Valletta Waterfront – a ribbon of shops and restaurants stretching the northern side of the harbour – are hosting a celebration of Maltese traditions, in a destination which embodies the character of these isles. 

From 7.30pm onwards, the Valletta Waterfront’s Maltese Nights will bring the past back to life through a number of activities: from traditional folk dancing to the festive atmosphere of traditional – and popular – local village bands. There will also be birds of prey displays, showcasing the wild beauty of fowl such as owls and hawks; you and your kids can even participate in street games which have been popular for centuries, such as hopscotch, and rope-skipping, while every two weeks your little ones can experience pony rides on a carriage along the promenade.

All activities are free of charge and also include pop-up theatrical shows, featuring a cast of sympathetic characters from Maltese folk narrative which will further display the island’s creative heritage. And, there will even be a special guest: the terramaxka, a Maltese street organ which lived its heyday in the later 19th and early 20th centuries. While this vibrant music-maker is no longer seen tracing the streets of the island – and, indeed, its popularity took a hit when radio was introduced – its sounds will ring across the harbour every Thursday evening this season.

And, after all that excitement, you can head to one of the promenade’s many eateries and watering holes, which serve up a wide array of choices, whether you fancy pizza, meats, fish or just a great drink savoured over the sparkling bastions of the Three Cities. 

To get to the Valletta Waterfront by bus, take route 133 from the main terminal in Valletta or head down through the Upper Barrakka panoramic lift. Electric cars are also available from just outside the capital, while the area is also easily accessible by taxi from your accommodation. If you have a self-drive, you may park on the quays for only €3, flat, in the Atrium parking located in the middle of the promenade, or free of charge on the road itself. For more information, click here.