DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Valletta

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
—°13
Valletta (Malta)
ℹ️

Practical info — Valletta

▾

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit Upper Barrakka Gardens at 12:00 or 16:00 daily to witness the traditional gun salutes.
  • Take the ferry to Sliema or the Three Cities for a scenic and affordable harbor crossing.
  • Avoid driving into the city center; use the MCP car park in Floriana, just outside the main gate.
  • Wander down the steep side streets off Republic Street to find authentic local shops and quiet corners.
  • Visit St. John's Co-Cathedral as soon as it opens in the morning to beat the large tour groups.

🍽 Food

🍽
Maltese Pastizzi

Try these iconic pea or ricotta filled pastries at any small 'pastizzeria' in the side streets.

🍽
Rabbit Stew (Fenkata)

Sample the national dish at traditional restaurants near Merchants Street.

🍽
Maltese Ftira

A sourdough bread ring filled with local ingredients, first-rate for a quick, filling lunch.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Silver Filigree

Valletta is famous for handmade silver jewelry. Look for small workshops on St. Lucia Street.

🛍
Merchants Street Market

A daily open-air market featuring everything from clothing to local souvenirs.

🛍
Republic Street

The main shopping artery with a mix of high-street brands and historic department stores.

🧘
Hastings Gardens

A quiet garden on top of the bastions with views over Marsamxett Harbor, usually uncrowded.

🧘
Lower Barrakka Gardens

A peaceful spot with a small Greek-style temple and great views of the Grand Harbour.

🧘
Rocky Shore below Bastions

A path runs along the base of the city walls by the sea, well-suited for escaping the city noise.

Valletta, the capital of Malta, was founded in 1566 by the Order of St. John on the rocky Sciberras Peninsula and is a masterpiece of late Baroque architecture. Conceived after the Great Siege of 1565, the city was planned as a fortress and named after its founder, Grand Master Jean de Valette. UNESCO declared Valletta a World Heritage Site in 1980 due to its exceptionally high density of historical monuments. The city is characterized by a grid-like street layout, designed so that sea breezes could contribute to cooling the buildings. Outstanding structures include St. John's Co-Cathedral, containing masterpieces by Caravaggio, and the Grand Master's Palace, which today serves as the President's office. Despite its small area of only about 0.8 square kilometers, Valletta remains the administrative and cultural heart of the Republic of Malta. The city served as the European Capital of Culture in 2018 and has undergone extensive revitalization of its historic fabric in recent years.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C151415161923262725232016
Rain mm74655133171141063829582

Geography

Population
6,794
Coordinates
35.89890, 14.51460

Facts

  • Valletta was the first planned city in Europe to be designed on a grid.
  • The city contains a total of 320 historical monuments within its 0.8 km² area.
  • The foundation stone was laid on March 28, 1566, by Jean de Valette.
  • Valletta is the southernmost capital city in Europe.
  • The Grand Harbour is considered one of the deepest natural harbors in the world.
  • In 2018, Valletta was the European Capital of Culture alongside Leeuwarden.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

The Toy Museum (Valletta)The Toy Museum (Valletta)<1 km · SWExplore →
The Fun Park at Tigné PointThe Fun Park at Tigné Point1 km · NExplore →
Gżira PromenadeGżira Promenade2 km · WExplore →
Cospicua (Bormla)Cospicua (Bormla)2 km · SExplore →
SmartCity MaltaSmartCity Malta2 km · SEExplore →
Gaming Industry Hub (Sliema/St. Julian's)Gaming Industry Hub (Sliema/St. Julian's)3 km · NWExplore →
GO p.l.c. Head OfficeGO p.l.c. Head Office3 km · SWExplore →
Construction Industry (Cranes)Construction Industry (Cranes)3 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Valletta (13)

Saluting Battery🏛 museum

A historic artillery battery in Valletta overlooking the Grand Harbour.

🕒 Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00💶

Palace Armoury🏛 museum

One of the world's most significant collections of historic arms and armour located in the Grandmaster's Palace.

💶

National War Museum🏛 museum

Housed in Fort St. Elmo, the museum displays Malta's military history from the Bronze Age to the present.

🕒 Mo-Su 10:00-18:00; Dec 24-Dec 25 off; Dec 31-Jan 01 off💶

Saint Barbara Bastion🛡️ fortress

A bastion in Valletta offering panoramic views over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities.

Victoria Gate🛡️ fortress

A city gate built in the 19th century in Valletta leading to the harbour.

Manoel Theatre🎭 culture

One of the oldest working theatres in Europe, renowned for its Baroque architecture.

Church of Saint Paul's Shipwreck⛪ religious

An important Baroque church in Valletta commemorating the shipwreck of Saint Paul the Apostle.

♿

Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria⛪ religious

An ornately decorated Baroque church in Valletta, originally built for the Italian knights of the Order.

Jesuit Church⛪ religious

One of the oldest church complexes in Valletta, originally founded by the Jesuits in the 16th century.

Il-Port il-Kbir📍 landmark

Malta's largest natural harbour, site of many historical events since antiquity.

Il-Monument ta' Sir Alexander Ball📍 landmark

A monument in the form of a Doric temple located in the Lower Barrakka Gardens of Valletta.

♿

Saint John's Co-Cathedral📍 landmark

A magnificent Baroque cathedral in Valletta, famous for its ornate marble floors and Caravaggio paintings.

🕒 Mo-Fr 09:30-16:30; Sa 09:30-12:30; Su,PH off♿💶

Mandraġġ Recreational Space👨‍👩‍👧 family

Spazju Rikreattiv il-Mandraġġ is a dedicated local playground situated in Valletta. Designed for family outings in Malta, it provides various playful activities for younger visitors. It is an excellent destination for parents looking to let their children burn off some energy.

Frequently asked questions

How much time should you spend in Valletta?
One to two days are enough to explore the main sights, including St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the impressive fortifications.
Is Valletta pedestrian-friendly?
Yes, the city center is mostly car-free, though be prepared for many steep stairs and narrow alleys.
What is the best time to visit?
Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures around 20-25 degrees, well-suited for sightseeing without the summer heat.
Are there any beaches in Valletta?
There are no sandy beaches, but locals often swim from the rocky shores beneath the city walls.
How do you reach the Three Cities?
The fastest and most scenic way is the ferry from below the Upper Barrakka Gardens to Birgu.
Valletta: where is it located?
Valletta is located in Malta.
Valletta: what is there to see?
Highlights include Saluting Battery, Palace Armoury, National War Museum.
Valletta: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jul.
Valletta: why is it worth visiting?
Valletta, the capital of Malta, was founded in 1566 by the Order of St.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Malta →

Nearby cities

Cospicua (Bormla) — Valletta (Malta)
Cospicua (Bormla)
Cospicua, or Bormla, is the largest of the Three Cities, known for its impressive docks and fortifications.
Qormi (Città Pinto) — Valletta (Malta)
Qormi (Città Pinto)
Qormi is known as the 'bread city' of Malta, with a long history of baking that is still alive in its many bakeries today.
Luqa — Valletta (Malta)
Luqa
Luqa is best known for hosting the Malta International Airport, the country's main gateway to the world.
Gudja — Valletta (Malta)
Gudja
Gudja is a quiet village close to the airport, known for its three churches and the unique Palazzo Bettina.
Żebbuġ, Malta — Valletta (Malta)
Żebbuġ, Malta
Żebbuġ, also known as Città Rohan, is one of the oldest towns in Malta, known for its grand parish church and its feasts.
Mqabba — Valletta (Malta)
Mqabba
Mqabba is renowned for its stone quarries, which extract the high-quality globigerina limestone, and for its paleo-Christian catacombs.
Siġġiewi (Città Ferdinand) — Valletta (Malta)
Siġġiewi (Città Ferdinand)
Siġġiewi is a rural town known for its vast fields, farmhouses, and proximity to Buskett Gardens and Dingli Cliffs.
Żurrieq — Valletta (Malta)
Żurrieq
Żurrieq is one of the oldest towns in Malta, known for the Blue Grotto, the Xarolla Windmill, and its catacombs.

History & landmarks

Gżira Promenade — Valletta (Malta)
Gżira Promenade
A bustling waterfront with views of Manoel Island and Valletta.
Swieqi Parish Church — Valletta (Malta)
Swieqi Parish Church
The modern spiritual center of the Swieqi community.
Żonqor Point — Valletta (Malta)
Żonqor Point
The northern tip of Marsaskala Bay.
Top of the World — Valletta (Malta)
Top of the World
A popular viewpoint offering wide views over northern Malta.
Ta&#39; Qali Crafts Village — Valletta (Malta)
Ta' Qali Crafts Village
Crafts village with glass blowing.

Nature

Ta&#39; l-Agħara Hill — Valletta (Malta)
Ta' l-Agħara Hill
A flat hilltop near Ħal Qormi.
St. Peter&#39;s Pool — Valletta (Malta)
St. Peter's Pool
A natural rock pool popular with cliff divers.

More places

The Toy Museum (Valletta) — Valletta (Malta)
The Toy Museum (Valletta)
A small museum with a collection of old toys, from the 1950s to the 1970s.
The Fun Park at Tigné Point — Valletta (Malta)
The Fun Park at Tigné Point
An indoor playground located in The Point shopping mall.
SmartCity Malta — Valletta (Malta)
SmartCity Malta
A technology park designed to be a hub for ICT and media companies.
Gaming Industry Hub (Sliema/St. Julian&#39;s) — Valletta (Malta)
Gaming Industry Hub (Sliema/St. Julian's)
The area is a hub for the online gaming industry, a major pillar of the Maltese economy.
GO p.l.c. Head Office — Valletta (Malta)
GO p.l.c. Head Office
The head office of the leading telecommunications provider in Malta.
Construction Industry (Cranes) — Valletta (Malta)
Construction Industry (Cranes)
The skyline is dominated by construction cranes, reflecting the booming construction industry on the island.
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum — Valletta (Malta)
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Underground prehistoric temple.
Hompesch Arch — Valletta (Malta)
Hompesch Arch
A triumphal arch built at the entrance to the city.