Our Christmas markets here in London are world-class. But we get it, sometimes you want to get out of the city, get out of the country even, to find something new and exciting to check out. And sure, you could go to the gorgeous German Christmas markets – the blueprint for many markets around the world. Or you could go to the smallest capital city in Europe, which has been transformed into Santa’s City.
Valetta, the capital city of Malta, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. But that clearly doesn’t mean they can’t have a bit of fun. Because each year, for Christmas, the city is transformed by the arrival of the annual Christmas market and funfair, Fairyland.
Fairyland and Santa’s City
Fairlyand stretches throughout the city, bringing market stalls, fairground rides, ice skating, and more to the picturesque waterside spot. The seasonal activation transforms Valetta’s picturesque Pjazza Tritoni into Santa’s City, with attractions extending all the way to the Granaries in Floriana.
Image: @fairylandmalta, via IG
One of the trademarks of Fairyland is its now-iconic Christmas landmark, Rudolph’s Wheel. This Christmassy Ferris Wheel lights up Valetta’s skyline, and offers stunning views across the (admittedly tiny) city. It’s sort of like our London Eye – except maybe not quite as big.
Other attractions at Fairyland include:
- Candy Cane Slide
- Santa’s Magical Carousel
- Frosty Bike Circuit
- Dasher’s Roundabout
- Fantasia Tinsel Track!
- An ice-skating rink
- Food court
- Christmas market stalls
- And more.
Christmas in Valetta
But there’s more to Valetta than just Fairyland at Christmas time. The city truly fills itself with Christmas cheer, with surprises and decorations waiting around every corner. The Valetta Cultural Agency organises all manner of events and activations that spread throughout the tiny city. On any given day, you could come across a choral concert, stilt walkers, live music, shadow puppetry, and more.
Wander away from Fairyland, and you’ll spot Christmas trees dotting the streets and waiting at the end of passages. You’ll also find even more Christmas market stands waiting with handmade souvenirs and plenty of warming food and drink.
Valetta, Malta
Far be it from me to tell you to visit just any random tiny city just because it has a Christmas market, either. In fact, in October of this year, Condé Nast Traveller crowned it the ‘best city in the world’. That’s no small claim! The tiny city beat out the likes of Tokyo, Cape Town, and Copenhagen to earn the title.
The entire city has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. And it’s one of the world’s most concentrated areas of historical sites. The city spans just 0.55 square kilometres, but is home to 320 monuments, and is filled to the brim with gorgeous 16th-century buildings.
But for now, it’s not Valetta. It’s Fairyland, and its capital is Santa’s City.
📍 Fairyland Santa’s City runs from December 5, 2025 – January 4, 2026.
✈️ Travel to Valetta by way of Malta International Airport. From there, an airport shuttle will have you in Valetta in under 15 minutes.