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A trip to Malta means different things to different people. Some envision beaches and parties, while others seek its rich history and culture. Valletta, the capital, may lack the fame of other European capitals, but visit it, and you’ll see it’s key to a Malta itinerary. After multiple visits myself, I compiled this guide to things to do in Valletta.
Since you might be tight on time, with maybe even just one day in Valletta to explore, I won’t give you an exhaustive list of every museum and historical landmark. Instead, let this Valletta blog post introduce you to sightseeing in Malta and provide a basic suggested route of local highlights. That way, you can visit Valletta with confidence and explore more when you’re ready.
Things to know about Valletta
Context is important to appreciate why Valletta is an interesting destination to visit.
Valletta is the capital of Malta, built in the 1500s by the Knights Hospitallers. It’s not the oldest settlement on the island, nor was it the first capital. However, Valletta’s history is deeply tied to the Order of St John and, as a result, is very well preserved.
Another thing that makes Valletta so special is the way it has been preserved. All of Valletta has a traditional feel to it, basically making it the “old town.” Ignore the cars and a few buildings, and you can easily picture it from hundreds of years ago. All of these characteristics make the city an easy place to enjoy and experience.
One last factor that is very much worth mentioning is the size of the city.
Valletta is tiny. You can easily walk from one end of the city to the other; I’ve done it.
Looking at a map, you may not realise it because of the surrounding towns and cities, but Valletta only makes up a very small area of Malta. Not only does that add to its charm and make sightseeing easier, but it’s also why you must see other places in Malta to get the full picture.
Getting to Valletta
To make sightseeing in Valletta easier, I’d like to share a few other tips. First, let’s discuss how to get there.
Valletta is the main entry point for visiting Malta, whether by plane, ferry, or cruise boat.
Flying to Valletta is pretty straightforward, although Malta International Airport isn’t exactly near the city. It is located in the interior of the island at Luqa.
To get from the airport to Valletta:
- organize a transfer – options for shared or private
- take a taxi – fares are prepaid, with prices here
- board a bus – ride the X4 bus to the Valletta Bus Interchange
Passengers on cruises and ferries need not worry. These ships arrive at the Valletta Cruise Port, just outside the city.
Finally, visitors coming from elsewhere in Malta have two main options.
Bus is by far the easiest choice, as most bus lines pass through its bus station. However, it is possible to take the ferry from Sliema and the Three Cities, which is an experience in itself. Parking and driving in Valletta seems particularly unpleasant, so I’d actively avoid doing it if you can help.
Where to stay in Valletta
Another thing to think about is where you’ll be staying.
In my guide on where to stay in Malta, Valletta is just one of many tourist options. That’s because you might find that getting accommodation in Valletta isn’t as easy as expected.
This could be because the area’s hotels and bed and breakfasts are booked out or because you can’t afford the generally higher cost per night. In those situations, I recommend looking in the Sliema or Three Cities areas instead.
But since we’re talking about Valletta, these are Valletta’s most well-rated places to stay:
Your first things to see in Valletta
Again, the point of this Valletta guide is to help you make an itinerary for when you first visit the city. These Valletta attractions are where I would start my sightseeing if I were you.
This list is designed so that you can explore the city independently. But you might prefer to have someone show you around rather than trust me. Don’t worry, I get it.
In that case, walking tours are pretty easy to come by, but this Valletta walking tour provides particularly great value. Another option is this walking tour highlighting the city’s curious food culture. Just go with what best works for you.
City Gate Fortifications
Valletta very much is a destination that makes a major first impression. If you’re visiting the city by land, the first thing you’ll see past the elaborate Triton Fountain is the massive fortifications on either side of the City Gate.
What’s great is how they get even more impressive as you cross the high bridge leading into the city proper. It’s only then that you can see down into the deep trench below the fortifications. These giant fortifications and the narrow gate set the stage nicely for visiting Valletta, as it makes it feel even more special that you’re allowed inside.
Valletta isn’t the only fortified city in Malta, but I’d argue it’s the most dramatic.
Castille Palace
Just after entering the city, I recommend taking a quick detour rather than continuing along the city’s main street.
If you turn right after the bridge at the strikingly modern building of Parliament, you’ll head up a staircase. While it may not seem like much at the top, continue following the road and you’ll reach quite a significant spot.
In what looks like an open square stands the grand Castille Palace. Built as an auberge or headquarters for the Order of St. John, this elegant building is now the office of the Prime Minister of Malta. So, while you won’t be stepping inside, you can admire its Baroque architecture.
It’s also not the only interesting sight on the square, with several noteworthy landmarks and monuments sure to grab your attention.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Just off the square in front of Castille Palace lies an entrance to the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
These small gardens are one of the few hints of nature in the stone city of Valletta. While the gardens with their fountain and trees are a nice spot for a break, that’s not what draws most people. No, it’s the views from the Upper Barrakka Gardens that make this place special.
From their terrace, you look down to The Saluting Battery with its cannons and across the Grand Harbour to other towns and cities of Malta. If you want a classic view of Malta, this is the place to go.
Republic Street and St. George’s Square
When you entered through the City Gate of Valletta you would have seen a pedestrian directly in front of you.
That was Republic Street, arguably the main street through Valletta. This long street stretches the entirety of the city and links up several major Valletta highlights. Walking along Republic Street is a great way to get an initial sense of the city, even if it is mostly lined with shops and places to eat.
I won’t go into all the different landmarks along the street here, as we’ll cover many of them individually. But one spot worth mentioning is St. George’s Square, which marks the point when it transitions from a pedestrian street to a road.
St. George’s Square sits neatly at the geographical centre of the city and is home to a major Valletta sight – the Grandmaster Palace. This major landmark is one of the most popular things to do in Valletta, at least normally that is. The palace is undergoing years of renovations until 2023, so there’s still a bit of a wait to see it.
St. John’s Co-Cathedral
Besides the Grandmaster Palace, it’s fair to say that the other standout attraction in Valletta is St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Malta is a deeply catholic country due to its close bond with the Order of St. John and this is hands down its most dazzling place of worship.
While the exterior of the building isn’t unimpressive, you just have to see the inside to see what the big deal is. I’ll let the above photo of the ceiling frescoes and gold-adorned arches do the talking I think. This is one of those attractions that lives up to the hype.
City Streets
Those keen on wandering in Valletta should have no problem delving into all of the city’s nooks and crannies. Besides the pedestrian streets parts of Republic Street and Merchants Street, most of Valletta is filled with backstreets just begging to be explored.
One benefit of aimlessly walking around the city is that it’s nearly impossible to get lost. Valletta is surrounded on three sides by water and features steep streets that fall away on either side of Republic Street. So, head uphill away from water when in doubt and you should be fine.
As nice as Republic Street is, I think the backstreets are best for spotting traditional Maltese balconies and fascinating old buildings. Exploring the city’s backstreets may be a bit more effort, but the sights and views are worth it. I was tempted just to fill this post with random street views of Valletta, that’s how taken I am with this side of the city.
Lower Barrakka Gardens
A counterpart to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the Lower Barrakka Gardens is another great place to go for city views.
These gardens aren’t too far from the others, so the views over the harbour are relatively similar. What’s different about the Lower Barrakka Gardens though are the various monuments attached to it.
One is the Monument to Sir Alexander Ball, which looks like an ancient Greek temple and somehow doesn’t seem all that out of place. Then there’s the Siege Bell War Memorial across the road that commemorates the Siege of Malta during WWII and puts you even closer to the water’s edge.
Fort St. Elmo
Fort St. Elmo is a large fortress that rests at the end of the peninsula Valletta sits across. On one side of its high walls lies St Elmo Bay, and on the other, the entrance to the Grand Harbour. This means it’s another great spot for water views around Valletta, but that’s not all.
You’ll need to pay to enter the fort properly, as it hosts the National War Museum inside. The museum and fort underwent a revamp a few years ago, which coincided with my first visit to Valletta. This is one spot I need to come back to.
Valletta Museums
One thing I’ve been guilty of when visiting Valletta during my trips has been ignoring all of the city’s museums.
Valletta is quite a cultural hub for Malta and has a surprising density of museums despite its size. Most focus on the city’s history – which is understandable – but take different approaches.
For an easy and informative experience, check out the audio-visual show at The Malta Experience. As for the National Museum Of Archaeology, its traditional approach offers fewer surprises.
Casa Rocca Piccola is a private museum set inside a former noble palace that displays what noble life was like in Malta in the past. One of Malta’s most famous organizations, the Knights Hospitallers, has its own small history museum that seems quite interesting as well.
If you’re looking for something non-history related, consider visiting MUZA – Museum of Fine Arts. Set inside a knight’s palace, it’s full of Maltese art and collected pieces from the Baroque period.
This should make it clear for you that there are more than enough things to do in Valletta that one day won’t be enough.
Visit the Three Cities
During several of these things to do in Valletta, you’ll spend time at viewpoints looking out over The Grand Harbour.
The settlements you’ll see aren’t part of Valletta but rather three combined cities known as The Three Cities. Made up of Birgu, Senglea, and Bormla, the Three Cities are older than Valletta.
Even though there are lots of things to do in the Three Cities, not many people know that, and it’s surprisingly quiet as a result. Once you feel content with what you’ve seen of Valletta, I highly recommend popping around here for a more quaint Maltese charm.
Day Trips Around Malta
Don’t think that by visiting Valletta and the Three Cities, you’ve seen everything Malta has to offer.
There are countless other great places to visit in Malta that showcase the different sides of this island nation. What’s great is that the things to do in Valletta get you ready and excited to explore the rest of Malta, especially as it’s the hub of the island’s bus network.
If you’re looking for quick suggestions here for day trips from Valletta, here are a few common ones you might find interesting. The seaside village of Marsaxlokk is an easy trip from the capital, offering a harbour full of traditional boats and a waterfront market. Then there’s the historic fortified city of Mdina, which frankly makes Valletta seem modern.
Otherwise, you have plenty of cruises around Malta to pick from if you want a day of sun and swimming.
Are you planning to visit Valletta in Malta on an upcoming trip? If you’ve been before, what other Valletta attractions would you recommend to people? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
