Should You Visit Valletta?

Is Valletta worth visiting?

Yes, it's worth visiting this town for one to three days because of the many great activities. Valletta is the small but impressive capital of the Mediterranean island nation of Malta. The town is compact and rich in history and culture. It looks out over one of the most magnificent harbors in Europe and is surrounding by ancient fortifications. The old town is easily explored on foot as you soak up the Mediterranean sunshine and dine at longstanding local restaurants. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in National Geographic's Best Places to Visit in 2024.

Valletta, Malta

Reasons to Visit Valletta

Museums
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.

Food
The town's culinary scene has a long history with many traditional flavors. You really must experience a meal in one of the traditional stone cellar restaurants, which often serve local meze. Head to Republic Street for a stretch of longstanding restaurants in town. Local dishes include stuffat tal-fenek (rabbit stew), bragioli (rolled meat covered in sauce), and lampuki pie (fish pie).

Historical Sights
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
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.

Nightlife
It wasn't long ago that the town went quiet in the evenings, but recent years have brought a surge in bars and clubs around town. You'll find the liveliest nightlife in areas around Strait Street and the Valletta Waterfront. If you're looking for a true clubbing scene, you'll want to head north out of town to Paceville.

Authenticity
Valletta has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.

Is Valletta worth visiting in the Summer?

Summer is the low season for travel in Valletta. This destination is fairly touristy, but in the low season you can find fewer crowds and better deals.

The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 26°C (79°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.

You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable town, especially in the nice weather. The scenery of the town this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to browse through museums, browse around the old town, and enjoy the evening activities. Also, you can check out the beautiful scenery.

Is Valletta worth visiting in the Autumn?

This is the shoulder season for travel in Valletta. Even though Valletta is fairly busy with tourists, in the shoulder season there will be smaller crowds and better prices.

The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 21°C (70°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.

Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. The scenery of the town this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. During this season it's fun to experience the gorgeous scenery, the historic old town, and the famous sights and museums.

Is Valletta worth visiting in the Winter?

The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 13°C (55°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.

The peak season for travel is winter in Valletta, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is somewhat popular with travelers, and in the high season it's busier than usual.

The scenery of the town this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. This is a great time of year to browse the museums, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can experience the nightlife and the beautiful scenery.

Is Valletta worth visiting in the Spring?

Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Valletta. Even though Valletta is fairly busy with tourists, in the shoulder season there will be smaller crowds and better prices.

The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 16°C (61°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.

The scenery of the town this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and take in the beautiful scenery. Also, you can browse around the old town and grab some drinks at a bar.

Related

What is Valletta most famous for?

Valletta is most famous for its ancient fortifications, Baroque palaces, and beautiful gardens. People visit this impressive town for its great museums, food, and historical sights. Also, it's known for shopping. Many people love the nightlife, too. It is often described as historic, charming, cultural, and waterfront.

What is the most famous sight in Valletta?

The most popular sight in Valletta is The Grand Masters Palace. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Valletta on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Grand Masters Palace and other attractions here.

How touristy is Valletta? Is it a popular town to visit?

Valletta is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

• Private Full Day Customizable Tour in Malta: $276
• Three cities walking tour incl. entrance to Inquisitor's palace: $27
• Malta: Private Half-Day Archeological Sites Tour: $260
• Private Walking Tour of Vittoriosa /3 Cities: $218
• Witchcraft and Blood in Birgu - Walking Tour: $22
• Private Walking Tour of Valletta -English - French- German: $218
• Mysteries and Histories of Mdina - Walking Tour: $22
• Best of Valletta Walking Tour: $20

How long should I spend in Valletta?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Valletta is one to three days. Since Valletta has a variety of activities such as museums, dining, and historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Valletta? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Valletta?.