1. St. John’s Co-Cathedral
From the outside, it looks surprisingly simple. But inside, it’s a completely different story.
The entire interior is covered in gold, marble, and insanely detailed decorations. It was built by the Knights of St. John, and they clearly didn’t hold back. The floor is actually made up of tombstones of knights, which is something you don’t see every day.
Unfortunately, it was closed during our visit, so we didn’t get to go inside, which we’re still a bit annoyed about. If you’re planning your trip, definitely try to time it so you can see the interior.
2. Fort St. Elmo
Fort St. Elmo sits at the very tip of Valletta and played a major role during the Great Siege of 1565, when the Knights of St. John defended Malta against the Ottoman Empire.
It’s not just a nice building, a lot actually happened here.
Today, you can visit it as part of the National War Museum.. Even if you’re not that into history, the views alone make it worth it.
3. The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
You’ll see this dome everywhere. Honestly, it feels like no matter where you are in Valletta, it somehow finds its way into your view. And it’s not a bad sight.
It’s the landmark of the city, and it looks especially nice in the evening when the lights turn on. We didn’t go inside, but walking through the streets and seeing it appear between buildings was kind of the best part anyway.
4. Grand Master’s Palace
Right in the center of Valletta, you’ll come across the Grand Master’s Palace, and it’s one of those buildings you kind of just stumble upon while walking.
It used to be the residence of the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, so basically the most powerful person on the island at the time. Today, it’s still used for official purposes, but parts of it are open to visitors.
Inside, you’ll find grand halls, detailed ceilings, and one of the largest collections of armour and weapons in Europe. It’s very much that “old power and history” kind of place.
5. Upper & Lower Barrakka Gardens & Saluting Battery
Valletta isn’t exactly known for greenery, so the Barrakka Gardens are a nice break from all the stone streets, but the real reason to come here is the view.
From the Upper Barrakka Gardens, you get one of the best views over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. Everytime we were here we just sat and enjoyed the view.
Right below the gardens is the Saluting Battery, where cannons have been fired for centuries. Today, they still do a daily cannon firing, usually at noon and sometimes at 4 PM, so it’s worth checking the exact time before you go. We didn’t know about it and honestly got a bit startled when it went off. Keep in mind that people gather for the firing, so it can get a bit crowded.
There’s also the Lower Barrakka Gardens, which are quieter and less crowded, so if you want a more peaceful spot to sit for a bit, it’s worth stopping by.
6. The Valletta Waterfront
The Valletta Waterfront is a bit outside the main city streets, but it’s worth walking down to, especially if you want a different vibe from the historic center.
It’s a long promenade lined with colorful buildings that were originally used as warehouses by the Knights of St. John. Today, they’ve been turned into restaurants, bars, and cafés, so it feels much more lively.
We came here more for a relaxed walk than anything else. It’s nice by the water, less crowded than the center, and a good spot if you want to sit down, have a drink, and slow things down a bit.
It’s also a popular place for dinner, especially in the evening when everything lights up and the atmosphere feels a bit more alive, if you like that kind of a vibe.
7. Take a Ride in a Maltese Gondola (Dgħajsa)
The traditional Maltese boat, called a dgħajsa (have no idea how to pronounce it), is kind of like a simpler version of a Venetian gondola. It’s one of the cheapest and most authentic ways to cross from Valletta to the Three Cities.
The ride costs under €3. You can also book longer rides around the harbour if you want something more scenic, but we think it’s enough to go across and back, it takes around 10 min.
8. The Three Cities
Just across the water from Valletta are the Three Cities: Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea, and Cospicua.
They’re much quieter than Valletta and feel more local. Narrow streets, small cafés, fewer crowds, local markets, you can see how the locals live.
You can easily spend a few hours here just walking around without a plan, which we did and quite enjoyed it. I think we came across only a couple of tourists while exploring, not sure why as the cities are really pretty, but the view of Valetta is one of the best.
Best Time to Visit Valetta
Valletta is one of those places you can visit all year round, but timing still makes a difference.
We visited in December, and honestly, it was perfect. Mild weather, fewer crowds, and you can actually enjoy walking around without constantly looking for shade.
If you’re coming in summer, just be prepared, it gets hot. There’s not much greenery or shade in Valletta, so walking around midday can be a bit intense. Early mornings and evenings are much better.
Spring and autumn are probably the sweet spot. Warm weather, but still comfortable enough to explore the city properly.
One thing we’d definitely recommend, no matter when you visit, is to start your day early. Valletta gets busy, especially during peak season and when cruise ships arrive, so mornings are by far the best time to enjoy it a bit more peacefully
Where to eat in Valletta?
If you like the old city and want to stay in Valletta, you can do that but it could be a bit more expensive. A better option is to stay in Sliema or St. Julian’s. You’ll find plenty of hotels, great restaurants, and it’s super easy to get around from here.
Here are our top recommendations for hotels:
- Courtyard by Marriott Sliema
- 1926 Le Soleil Hotel & Spa in Sliema
- Land’s End, Boutique Hotel in Sliema
- San Karlu in Valletta
- Domus Zamittello in Valletta
Where to eat in Valletta?
Valletta has a diverse culinary scene, it has many international restaurants, but Maltese cuisine is also very good. It was influenced from all sides, Italian, Arab. We actually really liked Maltese cuisine and national dishes.
Here is a diverse list of places where we liked the food:
- Zero Sei Trattoria Romana Italian restaurant
- Ta’ Nenu Valletta Maltese restaurant
- Legligin Restaurant Maltese restaurant
- Beati Paoli Restaurant fish reastaurant (we don’t like fish but got many recomendations for this one)
- Grano brunch place with tasty sandwiches
- Angela’s Valletta Maltese restaurant
And that’s Valletta. Small, easy to walk, and full of little details you notice as you go.
Simple, but we loved it. We hope you’re days will be sunny as ours!
Until next time, be mesmerized 🤍