November 11, 2025 
6 mins to read When you start working in Valletta, the Maltese capital quickly feels more like a neighbourhood than a tourist attraction. The city is small, but every corner has a story. You’ll see locals chatting in narrow limestone streets, office workers taking their lunch at the harbour walls, and students reading under balconies draped with flowers.
For expats in Valletta, it’s easy to blend in with the rhythm of daily life, grabbing a coffee before work, walking to the office through the old city gate, and meeting friends for an evening drink by the sea. Living and working in Malta gives you a Mediterranean lifestyle that’s social, sunny, and full of charm.
If you’re planning to spend more time here, these are five things to do in Valletta that will make you feel like a local.
1. Wander off Republic Street and get lost on purpose
Most tourists stick to Republic Street, but the real Valletta reveals itself when you turn into one of its side alleys. Each street leads to a view of the sea, a tucked-away bakery, or a tiny bar where everyone knows each other.
Start your day with a flat white at Lot Sixty One Coffee Roasters, then take your time exploring the old backstreets like Old Bakery Street or St. Lucia Street. The balconies above you tell stories of the families who’ve lived there for generations.
If you pass Strait Street, you might hear music from a jazz rehearsal or smell fresh pasta from a small restaurant. It’s one of the city’s oldest entertainment districts, once filled with sailors and bars, now revived with independent cafés and creative studios.
2. Watch the city breathe at Upper Barrakka Gardens
The Upper Barrakka Gardens might be on every guidebook’s list, but locals know how to make the moment their own. Come early before the cruise ships arrive, grab a takeaway coffee, and find a bench facing the Grand Harbour. The light changes constantly as ships move in and out, it’s hypnotic.
At noon, the old cannons fire their daily salute, a tradition that has lasted since the 1800s. When you’re done, take the Barrakka Lift down to the harbour for one of Valletta’s most scenic short rides.
Just across the water you’ll see the Three Cities Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua, where many people who work in Valletta actually live. You can take the ferry over for just a few euros and enjoy the view of the city from the sea.
3. Find your rhythm in Valletta’s live-music scene
Valletta comes alive after dark, not with big clubs, but with music echoing through the streets. On Friday evenings, locals gather on the steps outside Bridge Bar for live jazz. Bring a drink, sit on the limestone stairs, and listen to the sound of saxophones mixing with the evening breeze.
If you’re into something livelier, head towards The Gut, the area near Strait Street that’s full of small venues and late-night wine bars. Here, you’ll meet artists, bartenders, and travellers who’ve decided to stay a little longer than they planned, which tends to happen in Valletta.
For upcoming music and cultural events, check Visit Malta’s Valletta guide.
4. Eat like a local (& skip the menus with pictures)
Valletta’s food culture is simple but full of character. The best places rarely have fancy signs, and many don’t even offer printed menus. Locals often recommend Is-Suq tal-Belt, a renovated food market where you can try traditional dishes like rabbit stew or ftira (a Maltese flatbread sandwich).
For a late breakfast, order a pastizzi from Caffe Cordina, one of the oldest cafés on the island, and people-watch under the old arcades. In the evening, walk down to Valletta Waterfront for seafood and local wine, it’s where Maltese professionals often end their workday.
If you want something truly authentic, try dinner at Rampila or Legligin. The portions are small, but the flavours are huge, and the atmosphere makes you forget you’re in the capital at all.
5. Take the ferry to the Three Cities after work
This short ferry ride across the harbour is one of the best ways to unwind after a day of work. The crossing takes just ten minutes, but the view looks like a painting. Once you arrive in Birgu, explore the quiet stone streets and stop at a harbour café for a glass of local wine.
The area is home to many expats working in Valletta, because rents are lower and life feels slower. Watching the sunset from Senglea’s waterfront is a perfect reminder of why so many people choose to stay in Malta long-term.
Living and working in Valletta
Everyday life in Valletta is surprisingly easy to enjoy. You can walk everywhere, English is spoken almost everywhere, and the city is full of coworking cafés and creative communities. The mix of locals and expats gives Valletta an international energy while keeping its Maltese soul.
Working in Valletta is about finding balance. You’ll finish work and be at the sea five minutes later, spend lunch breaks in centuries-old courtyards, and find friends from all over Europe who came here for a gap year and never left.
How to meet people and feel part of the city
If you’ve just arrived, start by joining events through EnglishCafe Valletta or Expats Malta on Facebook. They host meetups for travellers, students, and young professionals almost every week. You’ll quickly realise how easy it is to build a circle of friends here.
Coworking spaces like Grand Central or SOHO Malta are also popular among expats, you’ll find developers, designers, and marketers from all across Europe sharing ideas (and often, after-work beers).
Ready to make Valletta your everyday view?
Once you spend time in Valletta, it’s hard not to feel connected to it. The sound of the church bells, the smell of the sea, the colours of the buildings, they stay with you. It’s a city that quietly teaches you how to slow down and enjoy life.
If you’re curious about working in Malta or starting your own gap-year adventure, our team at Job Squad can guide you through every step, from job options to relocation advice. We’ve helped many young expats find their place in Valletta, and we’d love to help you do the same.
