Valletta: Food Tour with Local Snacks, Coffee & Harbour Views

Summary

Walk Valletta’s streets tasting pastizzi and ftira as stories unfold

You’ll walk Valletta’s winding streets with a local guide who shares snacks like pastizzi and imqaret as you go — plus strong spiced coffee and cold beer at lunch. Watch cannons fire over Grand Harbour and hear stories behind every bite. Expect laughter, new flavors, and memories tied to Malta’s sunlit stones.

What’s the experience like?

We started just outside Valletta, in Floriana — I remember the guide waving us over by the old grain stores, his voice echoing a bit off the stone. It smelled faintly of wet earth (it had rained early) and something sweet from a nearby bakery. We wandered through these quiet gardens dotted with statues I didn’t recognize, but our guide knew every name. He pointed out how the city gates used to be a real dividing line — I hadn’t thought about that before. The Triton Fountain was louder than I expected; kids were splashing each other while we waited for our first snack.

I’d heard about pastizzi but never tried one until this day trip in Valletta. They handed us both kinds — pea and ricotta — and honestly, I still can’t decide which is better. The pastry’s flaky mess stuck to my fingers (no napkins, classic), but it was warm and comforting. Our guide told us how people argue about the “right” filling like it’s football or something. Later, we tried Twistees (sort of like cheesy crisps?) and this chocolate dusted with sea salt that melted fast in my hand because the sun finally came out.

The Upper Barrakka Gardens were next — everyone jostled for a spot when the cannons fired over Grand Harbour. It was louder than I’d imagined; you could feel it in your chest for a second after. Someone behind me let out a surprised laugh. We sipped this Maltese coffee spiced with chicory and cloves (I’m not sure I loved it, but it smelled like winter markets). There was also Kinnie — bitter-sweet soda that’s apparently a local thing; half our group made faces but one guy wanted seconds.

Lunch was ftira bread stuffed with tuna, olives, tomatoes — messy but so good you don’t care about your hands. We ended at a little club with cold local beer; people lingered talking about Carnival stories and revolts over coffee cups. I left full but mostly just happy to have wandered Valletta on foot like that, hearing stories you’d never get from signs or guidebooks. Even now if I smell aniseed or see those yellow stone walls in photos, I’m right back there for a second.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Valletta and taste local food

• Start in Floriana suburb
• See grain storage area
• Walk through botanical gardens
• Arrive at Valletta gates
• View Triton Fountain and Parliament House
• Take photo at Grand Harbour
• Hear canons firing
• Walk Valletta streets
• Learn stories through food

Top questions

What foods do you try on the Valletta food tour?

You’ll taste pastizzi (pea or ricotta), imqaret date pastries, Twistees snacks, sea salt chocolate, ftira bread sandwiches, Maltese coffee with spices, Kinnie soda, and local beer.

Does the Valletta food tour include drinks?

Yes — Maltese coffee, Kinnie soft drink, and local beer are included during stops along the route.

Where does the Valletta food tour start?

The tour begins in Floriana near Valletta’s old grain storage area before heading into central Valletta.

Is lunch included on this day trip in Valletta?

The food tastings (including ftira bread filled with Mediterranean ingredients) are enough to count as lunch for most people.

Do you visit Upper Barrakka Gardens on this tour?

Yes — you’ll stop at Upper Barrakka Gardens to watch the Grand Harbour view and see the cannon firing.

How long is the walking distance during the food tour?

The route covers Floriana into central Valletta with several stops; suitable for all fitness levels.

Are public transport options nearby after the tour?

Yes — public transportation is available close to both start and end points of the tour.

What’s included

Your morning includes guided walking through Floriana into Valletta with stops for pastizzi pastries (both pea and ricotta), imqaret date sweets, Twistees snacks, sea salt chocolate, spiced Maltese coffee with chicory and cloves, Kinnie soda tasting, ftira bread sandwiches filled with Mediterranean ingredients for lunch, plus local beer at one of Valletta’s clubs before finishing up near central transport links.