Valletta in 1 Days - Tasting Maltese pastizzi, imqaret and ftira (served as the tour’s lunch)
In Collaboration with Best Tours Malta. Updated on February 16, 2026.
Through the language of food you will be told the stories behind the Maltese capital, its buildings, its culture and its people. We move on foot through Floriana and Valletta, stopping to taste traditional and contemporary Maltese items (coffee infused with chicory, Kinnie, pastizzi, imqaret, Twistees, sea-salt chocolate and a ftira lunch). Meeting point: in front of the Valletta Tourist Info (on‑
This itinerary was created in collaboration with Best Tours Malta, inspired by the tour Valletta Food Tour. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Tasting Maltese pastizzi, imqaret and ftira (served as the tour’s lunch)
- Sample local drinks: Maltese coffee, Kinnie and a local beer
- Photo stop with Grand Harbour panorama and noon cannon firing at the Saluting Battery
- See Triton Fountain and Renzo Piano’s Parliament House entrance to Valletta
- Walk the gardens and historic streets of Floriana and Valletta
More than 13 itineraries in Valletta.
Itinerary
Day 1
Meet in front of the Valletta Tourist Information Office (on the side of the Triton Fountain). The tour runs 10:30–14:00 and doubles as your lunch. Comfortable shoes recommended; not wheelchair accessible.
Floriana: Gardens walk and local stories
Walk through Floriana’s gardens and past the local church and police offices while your guide introduces the suburb’s role in Valletta’s history and how those influences appear in Maltese food.
- MondayClosed
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- Thursday9:30 – 11:00 AM
- FridayClosed
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
Tips from local experts:
- Wear comfortable, flat shoes — garden paths are uneven and include short flights of steps.
- Bring a small water bottle; there are shaded benches in the gardens for short rests.
- If you use a camera, keep it secure near garden edges and steps; traffic can be close on narrow stretches.
Triton Fountain & Parliament House (entrance to Valletta)
Take in the entrance to Valletta at the Triton Fountain and view Renzo Piano’s Parliament House while your guide links architecture and public life to Malta’s culinary influences.
- MondayOpen 24 hours
- TuesdayOpen 24 hours
- WednesdayOpen 24 hours
- ThursdayOpen 24 hours
- FridayOpen 24 hours
- SaturdayOpen 24 hours
- SundayOpen 24 hours
Tips from local experts:
- Meet the guide in front of the Valletta Tourist Information Office on the side of the Triton Fountain (this is different from the Tours Information Office).
- Stand on the paved areas to avoid blocking pedestrian flow around the fountain during busy periods.
- Allow a few quiet minutes for photographs — the Parliament House façade can be bright; a small polarising filter helps for clearer photos.
Grand Harbour panorama & Saluting Battery (photo and cannon firing)
Enjoy the spectacular view over Grand Harbour; time the visit to see the traditional cannon firing at the Saluting Battery and capture couple-friendly photos with the harbour as background.
- Monday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- SundayClosed
Tips from local experts:
- We aim to reach the Saluting Battery in time for the cannon firing (commonly at noon) — arrive to the viewing area early for the best unobstructed photos.
- The Saluting Battery and Upper Barrakka have steps and terraces; this stop is not wheelchair accessible and can be windy.
- Cannon firing is loud; sensitive visitors or babies should bring ear protection for the short firing moment.
Valletta walking food tastings (pastizzi, imqaret, Twistees, Kinnie, coffee & ftira lunch)
Stroll Valletta’s streets while tasting a curated sequence of local items: Maltese coffee with chicory, Kinnie, a local beer, pastizzi (pea or ricotta), imqaret (fried date pastry), Twistees, sea-salt chocolate and finish with a traditional ftira served as lunch.
Tips from local experts:
- If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, tell your guide at the start so tastings can be adjusted where possible.
- Most tastings are quick, standing or short seated stops — save space for the final ftira, which is the main sit-down lunch on the tour.
- Carry a small hand-sanitiser and wet wipes; public restrooms are available in central Valletta but not at every tasting stop.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 1 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Couples |
| Transfers | - |
| Restaurants | 1 |
| Total Activities | 4 |
| Total Places | 4 |
| Activities Types | Neighborhood, Attraction, Meal |
Why this experience
Valletta's fortified streets hold stories told best through food. In this guided food tour, you'll taste your way through Maltese culture — walking past baroque palaces and harbour views while sampling pastizzi, imqaret, and ftira alongside a local guide from Best Tours Malta. You'll learn why these dishes matter to Malta's identity, and why Valletta's narrow streets became the perfect stage for culinary tradition. This is for couples who want cultural immersion without the typical museum pace — you're moving, tasting, and connecting with the city's living history.
Before you go
- Best time: Spring or autumn (March–May, September–November). Summer crowds make narrow streets warm; winter is mild but occasional rain.
- Budget: Tour includes tastings and guide. Budget additional EUR 15–25 for lunch or drinks at stops the guide recommends.
- Difficulty: Moderate. You're walking on uneven paths through Floriana Gardens and Valletta's steep streets. Comfortable flat shoes essential.
- What to bring: Water bottle, camera, small bag (hands free for tastings), sunscreen.
- Getting there: Arrive at Valletta City Gate. Best Tours Malta will brief you there. Most visitors arrive via bus from Sliema or central Malta.
- Accessibility: Floriana Gardens and Valletta have uneven surfaces and short flights of steps. Not wheelchair-accessible; guide can modify route for limited mobility.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour and when does it start? The tour is approximately 3.5 hours. Start time is set when you book. Arrive 10 minutes early at City Gate.
Is this tour suitable for someone with dietary restrictions? Yes. Best Tours Malta can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and allergy requirements when you book — just mention them in advance.
What's included in this itinerary? This guided food tour is operated by Best Tours Malta. The tour includes a professional local guide, all food tastings (pastizzi, imqaret, ftira, and Maltese specialties), and a walk through Valletta and Floriana. Water is included; lunch is at your own cost.
Will I learn Maltese while tasting? Your guide will teach you Maltese names and food vocabulary as you taste — a fun side effect of the experience. You'll leave knowing how to order what you just ate.
Complete your trip in Valletta
After this food-focused day, you might want to explore deeper without the pace of a tour, or extend your time if food tours inspire you.
- Valletta in 2 Days - Romantic couples itinerary — Slow down, add sunset and intimate dining
- Valletta in 3 Days - Friends fun, food, culture and harbour play — Extend your food experience with nightlife and boat rides
- Valletta in 1 Days - Gentle accessible day for seniors — A calmer way to see the city if you want more time afterwards
Browse all Valletta itineraries at TheNextGuide.
*Last updated: April 2026*
