MT
Marsaxlokk
A fishing village of brightly painted boats and a Sunday fish market
A fishing village of brightly painted boats and a Sunday fish market
The colourful wooden fishing boats are a symbol of Malta and are best seen in the morning light.
Photo: Kritzolina, CC BY-SA 4.0
On Sunday mornings, stalls sell fresh fish alongside produce, souvenirs and local snacks. Smaller markets run on other days.
Arrive early; it gets crowded by late morning.
Photo: Kritzolina, CC BY-SA 4.0
On the Delimara peninsula, a natural rock pool with clear water is popular for swimming and jumping. There are no facilities and the sea can be rough.
Swim only in calm conditions.
Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0
Order the catch of the day, such as lampuki (dorado) in season (late summer to autumn), octopus or sea bream, at the waterfront restaurants.
Prices vary; check the menu or ask before ordering whole fish by weight.
Buses run from Valletta in about 30 minutes. Marsaxlokk is about 15 minutes by road from Malta International Airport.
The village is small and walkable; St Peter’s Pool is about 30 minutes on foot.
Malta uses the euro (€). English is widely spoken, and buses run across the islands.
Prices are approximate; check current rates.
Boats, market and a swim.
Browse the Sunday market, eat a seafood lunch, then walk to St Peter’s Pool for a swim.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Malta is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
The main market is on Sunday mornings.
Ask the price of whole fish before ordering.
Only swim at St Peter’s Pool when the sea is calm.
Buses from Valletta are frequent.
Quick answers for planning time in Marsaxlokk.
Mainly on Sunday mornings.
A traditional brightly painted Maltese fishing boat.
By bus from Valletta in about 30 minutes.
Yes, in calm weather; there are no facilities.
April to June and September to October.
English is an official language, but translation helps with Maltese signs.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Malta travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.