Ta' Qali Craft Village

From prehistoric times, the Mediterranean was a major source of arts and crafts that would go on to flourish across the whole continent and beyond. Unfortunately, when package travel became readily available to the Med’, tourists insisted on ignoring the fine arts and crafts and took home unbelievable tat for souvenirs. Malta’s Craft Village is on a mission to end this tawdry tradition!

So if, in the past, you let the hot weather addle your brain enough to believe a stuffed straw donkey would look particularly nice on your sideboard, or that there could be social occasions when you might actually need to don that sombrero, then this is the place for your souvenir shopping. It’s somewhere you can go to right those wrongs!

Every country in the Med’ has its own unique items to present to the visitor as precious souvenirs. And fortunately Malta’s finest traditional crafts are useful, tasteful and plentiful.

The island’s modern-day artisans have come together and can be found working in unison at the Crafts Village in Ta’ Qali, a former RAF wartime air-field. Here, these local experts create all kinds of beautiful articles, from blown glass to the famous Maltese lace, and from pottery to intricate filigree jewellery. There’s not a plastic statue to be seen! Well, not many!

Whether you're looking for a special souvenir to take home, or just feel like spending an interesting day out watching these skilled craftspeople at work, the Crafts Village at Ta’ Qali is well worth a visit.

As well as the well-known Maltese products listed above, you’ll also find: art and sculpture, ceramics and stone, home produced food and drinks, furniture, gifts, fabrics and metalwork.

If you’re staying on Gozo, do not fear, for there is still ample opportunity to take back home some quality souvenirs. Gozitan crafts have undergone a revival in recent years, not only because they make interesting souvenirs but also because of their cultural significance.

Some crafts, such as knitwear, basket making and lace, have a long history in Gozo. There are two main centres where you can browse and buy crafts: the Crafts Centre in the Citadel of Rabat (Victoria) and the Ta' Dbiegi Crafts Village, at San Lawrenz.   

If you have a car then getting to the Crafts Village is quite simple – just follow signs to Ta’ Qali and the village itself is well signposted from there. If you are not sure about getting to Ta’ Qali is smack in the middle of the island near Attard, and it’s where the football stadium is located, so just aim for the floodlights.

For bus users there are plenty of direct routes from Valletta to the village.