Nowadays, Valletta is chockablock with high street shops and international chains, but there are a fair few businesses that have stood the test of time and are still going strong - some even after over a hundred years! Here are just a handful of old school heroes that you can still visit and enjoy today. We just love our capital city!
1. Wembley Stores - 1924
Wembley Stores’ green corner shop front is an absolute landmark in Valletta. This daily-needs shop also stocks traditional Maltese foodstuffs, which make excellent souvenirs!
2. Prego - 1947
Having a coffee at Prego is like stepping back in time. Everything you see is original, and it’s said that Prego hasn’t been revamped since the 1960s! A vintage-lover’s fantasy.
3. P. Muscat Opticians - 1849
If you needed a pair of spectacles way back in the mid 1800s, you’d put your top hat on and head to P. Muscat in Republic Street! This beloved mainstay is a true reminder of Valletta’s past.
4. Ellul Wines & Spirits - 1878
Ellul started off as a liquor shop selling homemade Maltese Anisette, and is still going strong today! Ellul now imports all sorts of fancy alcohol and tobacco, and their St Lucy Street shop is an antique dream.
5. Tal- Ħwawar - 1888
Tal-Ħwawar is exactly what it says on the tin - a shop filled to the brim with all sorts of herbs and spices! Nothing’s changed in this 130-year-old highly Instagrammable treasure trove of cinnamon, curry powder and pepper.
6. C. Camilleri & Sons - 1843
If you were a child back in the 19th Century, you’d beg your nannu to take you to C. Camilleri and Sons for humbugs, liquorice and toffees…and kids are still doing the same today!
7. D’Amato - 1885
D’Amato is the ultimate stop for music connoisseurs, and has been for over a century! It’s even thought to be the oldest-standing record shop in the world, which makes it the highlight of any trip to Valletta for vinyl hipsters.