It's evident that Valletta is a hotspot for tourists, largely due to its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and romance.
One of the most sought after sights in the city is the Baroque St. John's Co-Cathedral, whose interior is incredibly ornate. The barrel-shaped ceiling is painted with fresco artwork, while the floor is inlaid with colorful marble inlay, indicating the tombs of knights down below. The church is also famously home to the Caravaggio masterpiece "The Beheading of Saint John." Caravaggio himself was briefly a Knight and his famous work is housed in the Cathedral Museum. Another impressive sight is the Grandmaster’s Palace, built between the 16th-18th centuries as the palace of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John, who ruled Malta. Today it houses the Knight's armory, and can be visited with audio tours available.
There are also a number of impressive outdoor attractions, like the Grand Harbor which has served as Malta's main fortified marine gateway for more than 2,000 years, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens which offers great views of the harbor from a public square and gardens with a cafe. The Lower Barrakka Gardens are also impressive, offering a public park setting complete with monuments, sculptures, flowers, and sweeping views of the harbor and sea.
The old waterfront Fort Saint Elmo houses the National War Museum, which exhibits from the Bronze Age through World War II. The 16th-century palace, Casa Rocca Piccola, offers an example of noble Maltese family's typical home. Daily guided tours are available to see the many ornate rooms of the residence. Also housed in a Baroque 16th-cenutry structure is the National Museum of Archaeology, which showcases prehistoric Maltese artifacts, weapons, and sculptures.
Other notable sights and attractions include the 17th-century The Manoel Theatre which serves as a performing arts venue, the National Library which houses the entire archives of the Knights of St. John, the 16th-century The Sacra Infermeria hospital, the National Museum of Fine Art, and the St. James Cavalier Fortress.
Valletta has enough history and culture to explore for weeks, with architectural treasures at every corner. Guided tours are available at most of the popular locations. Visitors can also get a good historical background of the city by attending the Malta Experience, which gives a good introduction to the city's history and culture. Don't forget to enjoy the refreshing sea breeze and views of the harbor as well.
Museums and Attractions:
Valletta's museums and landmarks are must-sees for any visitor. With its rich culture and compact old town, there are countless museums, sights, and monuments that are worth visiting. Some options include Saint John's Co-Cathedral, the Grandmaster's Palace and Armory, the National Museum of Archaeology, Manoel Theater, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
Historical Sights:
The old town's rich history brings in numerous tourists. The old town is laid out with a uniform grid and the streets are lined with hundreds of historic buildings. At the heart of old town is Republic Street, which divides the area in half and is where you'll find a large concentration of restaurants.
Shopping:
Visiting this shopping destination is an experience you can't afford to miss. For the best shopping head to Republic Street and Merchants Street where you'll find craft shops, boutiques, and other local souvenirs. Many visitors enjoy picking up blown glass, a locally made miniature, or cactus liquor. Lace is also a common local item that you'll find around town.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Valletta. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Half day private tour around malta for $264 details
- Three cities walking tour incl. Entrance to Inquisitor's palace for $27 details
- Private Tour Around Malta for $211 details