Valletta
Country: Malta · Region: Western Mediterranean · Currency: Euro
Valletta is Malta's UNESCO World Heritage capital, featuring remarkable 16th-century Hospitaller architecture and serving as the main cruise port for the island. The compact peninsula city is best explored on foot and offers impressive historical sites, museums, and harbor views.
Top sights
St. John's Co-Cathedral, Palace of the Grand Masters, Fort St. Elmo, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Lascaris War Rooms
Things to do
- St. John's Co-Cathedral
- Ornate 17th-century cathedral with intricate marble floor, magnificent barrel-shaped ceiling fresco by Mattia Preti, and two works by Caravaggio.
- Palace of the Grand Masters
- Former residence of the Knights' leadership, now the President's office and Maltese parliament, featuring impressive staterooms and Knights' armoury.
- Fort St. Elmo
- Historic fortress built by the knights at the peninsula tip, now housing the National War Museum with exhibits from the Bronze Age onwards.
- Upper Barrakka Gardens
- Scenic garden on the peninsula's upper south side offering spectacular views of the Grand Harbour.
Getting around
The city is best explored on foot as it is only a couple of kilometres in length, though it is steep in parts with stairs; alternatively, electric mini-cabs operate daytime with a maximum fare of €5.00, or the Barrakka Lift connects the waterfront to the main city level.
Tips
Buy St. John's Co-Cathedral tickets online to skip the queue, and book Hal Saflieni Hypogeum tours in advance as only 80 visitors are permitted daily.
Best for
History, architecture, culture