Capital of Malta — Valletta

Valletta, the capital of Malta, is unlike any other city you might have visited. It is Europe’s 4^th smallest capital city after Vaduz, Vilnius of Lithuania, and Luxembourg. Valletta is really small. The city is just about a kilometer long and 600 meters wide. But it is still packed with many attractions and activities. The entire city is UNESCO World Heritage listed. Valletta was also the European Capital of Culture for 2018.

Located in the Grand Harbor of Malta, Valletta is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and 16^th century bastion walls on either side, which has protected the city from invasions. Inside, you will find limestone houses with bright-colored windows. You will see religious motifs on ceramic plates and ted telephone boxes, from the days when Malta used to be a British colony.

Valletta is multicultural, as the city is positioned between Tunisia and Sicily. You can see statues that go back 5000 years, ornate Baroque legacy from the Knights of St John, gardens, museums, and the beautiful waterfront. Modern-day Valletta has many restaurants, hotels, villas for rent, and bars. And thanks to the city’s small size, you will always be close to a beach.

Valetta Map

Valletta Quick Facts

Best Time to Visit

The islands of Malta have mild climate throughout the year. The summer season is between July and September. The temperature can go beyond 30 degrees Celsius. There is very little cloud coverage. This is a good time for those who want to relax on a beach or swim.

Visit between April and June if you want to avoid the crowds. The cost of accommodation will also be lower. Many annual events are held in Valletta during the spring. The winter is a good time for sightseeing. The weather will be mild.

Valletta was not always the capital of Malta. Mdina used to be the capital once. Valletta was proclaimed to be the capital city on 18th March 1571.

How to Reach Valletta

• By Air – The Malta International Airport is only 8 kilometers from Valletta. You can reach the city center in 10 minutes. There are direct flights to more than 100 cities all over Europe. There are flights also to the Middle East, Cairo, Tel Aviv, Cairo, and Casablanca. You will find taxis and buses at the airport.

• By Boat – It is a popular port for many cruises. So you can definitely see Valletta for a day from your Mediterranean cruise liner.

Top 9 Places to Visit

1. St John's Co-Cathedral – Its façade is not that impressive but you are sure to love its interior. The cathedral is considered one of the most remarkable and important monuments in Malta. Its ceilings and walls are decorated with elaborate artwork. The floor is so ornate and delicate that you cannot wear heeled shoes inside. From here, you can walk down to the Republic Street. There are many restaurants, cafes, and quaint shops here.
2. Grandmaster’s Palace and Armory – Located at the center of Palace Square, this is the city’s most famous building. Many traditional ceremonies are held here. A part of the building is not the Presidential Palace of Malta. The other parts have been turned into a museum. See the grand hallways, gilded moldings, works of art, the huge state rooms, the impressive Red Room, the 18^th century Baroque ceiling paintings, and the 15^th to 18^th century armory.
3. Valletta City Gate, Parliament House – The City Gate will be the first landmark as you enter. It is a modern structure. The Parliament House is located just behind the gate. Also see the Royal Opera House, which was bombed in 1942 during World War II. This was redesigned and renovated by the Italian architect Renzo Piano. They are all beautiful structures you cannot miss.
4. Barrakka Gardens – The Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens used to be military posts before. Now, they are beautiful parks that overlook the city’s waterfront towards the west. You will find many water fountains, statues, and benches. Cannons are fired at noon every day to remind visitors of the military history of the parks.
5. Valletta Waterfront – The city’s redesigned waterfront has many cafes, restaurants, and bars. Many of them have painted doorways. You will get stunning views of the Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. See the cruise liners come and go as you enjoy your seaside dining.
6. Auberge de Castille – This is one of the most photographed buildings in the city. As you enter through the elegant steps, you will see the high doorway, which is flanked by cannons. The exterior has beautiful carved stone. In the inside, you will find an attractive paved courtyard.
7. National Museum of Archaeology – Malta has a long history that goes back to the Neolithic times. Visit the museums if you don’t have time to see all the historic sites. You can see artifacts and fossils from Megalithic Temples, displays from Hypogeum, and many other interesting exhibits.
8. National War Museum – Valletta has an extensive military history. You can understand the lengthy military history at this impressive museum. It is at Fort St Elmo, which is one of the many forts of the city.
9. Manoel Theater – Commissioned in 1731, it is one of Europe’s oldest theaters. The lavish auditorium has plush velvet chairs and gilded box seats. The acoustics are excellent. It hosts many performances throughout the year, including classic opera and music concerts. A 2-week Baroque Festival is held in January with the music of Bach and Vivaldi.

Nightlife

St. Julians has the most happening nightlife scene in Malta. Valletta, by comparison, is more laid back. But you will still find many bars, cafes, and restaurants, especially around the waterfront. Many tables and chairs spill out onto the streets. Cafe Society and Bridge Bar are both very good cocktail bars. You will get wonderful views of the waterfront from here.

Valletta has featured in many Hollywood movies like Assassin Creed, World War Z, The Devil’s Double, Murder on the Orient Express, Eyewitness, American Assassin, and The Count of Monte Cristo.

Food, Drinks

The cuisine of Malta is a mix of Italian, African, and Mediterranean influences. You will find pasta, seafood, soups, stews, and pastry dishes.

There are many Michelin-starred restaurants and rooftop venues in this small city, many offering panoramic views. Chic bars spoil out on to the limestone stairways, city squats, and narrow streets. Many of them play live music.

Head to the Victorian market on Merchants Street or the Tiny Street, which is often called “the Gut”. It used to serve the sailors once. Legligin and Nenu are two places where you will get local Maltese dishes. Rabbit Stew is the national dish. Many locals will have the stew with Maltese bread, potatoes, and carrots. Sea bass and swordfish are also popular.

Day Trips from Valletta

Three Cities Boat Tour – Senglea, Cospicua, and Vittoriosa are three beautiful cities around Valletta, all around the harbor. You can visit them either by land or boat. There are gorgeous old forts like the Fort St Angelo to see, the Inquisitor’s Palace, Bir Mula Heritage Museum, Casa Normanna, and other attractions. You will also get 360-degree panoramic views of Valletta from the other side of the water.

Game of Thrones Filming Locations – If you have seen Game of Thrones, especially season one, you will be able to identify many of the locations, as it was filmed around Malta. Most of these locations are around Mdina and Rabat. What’s special about these trips is that, they are operated by those who worked as extras in the TV show. So, apart from seeing the locations, you can also hear many interesting stories about the filming as well.

Wine Tasting Tour – Malta makes very good wine but in limited quantities. Most of the wine produced is consumed within the country. So you will rarely find Maltese wine outside. A wine tasting tour takes you around the vineyards and you will also get to try some of the best wines of the country.

Hotels in Valletta

There are many hotels of all categories in the city. Grand Harbour and Osborne Hotel offer good value. 19 Rooms and Grand Hotel Excelsior are mid-range hotels. The Saint John Boutique Hotel is a luxury property.

Villas in Valletta

You will also find many holiday villas for rent in Valletta. Many of them are very close to the city’s famous waterfront, while the others are close to the city’s historical attractions and forts. Most of the Valletta villas come with a private swimming pool and top amenities for a luxurious vacation.