Strait Street — Valletta's Red Light Past and Hipster Present

If walls could talk, the ones on Strait Street (Triq id-Dejqa) would need to be censored. It is the narrowest main street in Valletta but has the widest history on the entire island.

For centuries — from the 16th to the mid-20th century — it was known as "The Gut." The place where British Royal Navy sailors sought entertainment after long voyages: bars, taverns, women, alcohol. When the fleet left Malta in the 1970s, the street went silent. And it stayed that way for decades.

The Renaissance

The last fifteen years transformed Strait Street. Restaurateurs, jazz musicians and artists discovered that this narrow alley with its balconies overhead and stone steps has a magic that cannot be bought. Today it is the centre of Valletta's nightlife — with class.

What to Do Here

• Lunch or dinner: A dozen restaurants with local menus, ranging from simple to more refined.
• Jazz and live music: Several bars host regular concerts. Check current schedules on-site or on social media.
• Evening walk: Lanterns, narrow alleys, the sound of a guitar. The most beautiful walking street in all of Valletta — after dark.

History Written in the Walls

Look for traces of the old entertainment district: shop signs from the 1950s, remnants of original bar signs. Some facades are untouched for 70 years. The street is a living museum with no entrance fee.