Strait Street at morning

Strait Street (Triq id-Dejqa) is a narrow, straight lane running through the lower part of Valletta, Malta, between Triq San Ġwann and the Marsamxett side of the peninsula. The street was once known to British servicemen as 'The Gut', a nickname earned in the 19th and early 20th centuries when its bars, music halls, cabarets and lodging houses served the sailors and soldiers of the Royal Navy and other fleets stationed in Malta. After the war and the departure of the British forces the street fell quiet and many premises closed, and in recent years it has been revived with wine bars, restaurants and small music venues. In the morning, before about 10:00AM, the street is calm and photogenic, with shuttered doorways, faded signs, wrought iron balconies and washing lines overhead, and the narrow canyon of limestone buildings catches slanted light. A walk from the Triq San Ġwann end down toward the Marsamxett side takes roughly 15 minutes at an easy pace, with time to stop for photographs and for coffee at the few cafes that open early. Several plaques and old signs hint at the street's history, including references to the music and dance halls that once lined it. The street slopes in places and its steps can be slippery when wet. At night the street is busy with diners and drinkers, particularly Thursday to Saturday, so a morning visit offers a very different experience. The route links well with St John's Co-Cathedral and the Grand Master's Palace, which are a few streets away. Visitors should respect residents living above the street and keep voices low in early hours.