On one of the biggest bays in a country surrounded by water, Marsaxlokk is an obvious location for Malta’s fishing center, and a charming one at that. A quaint city of limestone buildings that crawl towards a turquoise sea of bobbing luzzus, Marsaxlokk is worth a visit any day. On Sundays, the city comes to life with a local market selling everything from tablecloths to honeys and jams, headlining with goods straight out of the sea. The fisherman return to shore early to start offloading their boats and preparing their stalls. The locals know it and are ready to haggle and score first pick of the morning’s bounty.

A rainbow of Mediterranean fish like lampuki fill the vendors bins, side by side with moray eels and other creatures you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see. Get there early when the stalls stock the widest product variety; there’s no guarantee of what will be available or when it will be brought home for a fresh meal. The local fish is something you should definitely taste before leaving.

For the full experience, pick up some Maltese pastries as you stroll through the market and continue exploring along the stunning seaside towards Fort St. Lucian. Return to the Marsaxlokk promenade for lunch with a view of the village activity. There are plenty of restaurants specializing in seafood, but if you are looking for something specifically, ask one of the fish vendors for a recommendation when you visit them in the morning.