We fell in love with Valletta! Malta’s capital, home to around 6,000 people, is the smallest capital in the EU. This UNESCO World Heritage city, perched above the Grand Harbour, charms visitors with its historic streets, impressive city walls, and breathtaking views.
Valletta perfectly blends history and modern life. We discover vibrant nightlife, top restaurants, and countless historic buildings all within a compact area. The locals are warm, the atmosphere is unique, and the city is a true Mediterranean gem, perfect for an unforgettable short trip.
lost in history and mediterranean light
Valletta is the capital of Malta, a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, located between Sicily and North Africa. The city sits on a peninsula on Malta’s northeastern coast, surrounded by the impressive Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour.
Founded by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, Valletta is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich history, baroque architecture, and stunning sea views. Its central location also makes it a great base for exploring the rest of Malta, with many of the island’s top attractions just a short drive or ferry ride away.
Thanks to its central location and excellent transport connections, getting to Valletta is easy. Whether you’re arriving by plane, ferry, or from another part of Malta, the capital is one of the island’s most accessible destinations.
Most visitors arrive via Malta International Airport, the country’s only international airport. Located about 8 km (5 miles) from Valletta, the journey to the city takes around 15-25 minutes by taxi, transfer, or public bus.
One of the most scenic ways to reach Valletta is by ferry. Regular ferry services connect the capital with Sliema and the Three Cities, offering beautiful views of the harbor and Valletta’s historic skyline along the way.
Arriving by Ferry in Valletta!?
Although most visitors arrive in Malta by air, traveling by ferry is a great alternative, especially if you’re already exploring Southern Italy. Regular high-speed ferries connect Sicily with Malta, offering a comfortable and scenic journey across the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a popular choice for travelers who prefer to avoid flying or want the flexibility of bringing their own vehicle to the island.
The main international ferry route operates between Sicily and Malta, with arrivals at the Valletta Waterfront. From there, the city center is just a short walk, taxi ride, or bus journey away.
📍 Departure Port: Port of Pozzallo (Sicily)
📍 Arrival Port: Valletta Waterfront
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Price: Usually from €30-€100+ per person, depending on the season, departure date, and ticket type
Operator: Virtu Ferries
Can you take a car?
Yes! Cars, motorcycles, campervans, and bicycles can be transported on board, making the ferry an excellent option for travelers planning a road trip around Malta.
One of the most famous churches here is the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which dominates the cityscape of Valletta. The Roman Catholic church can be seen from far away and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Very impressive from the outside and inside and with its large dome, it is one of the most famous churches in Valletta. It is usually open daily and can be visited.
👉 Why the Basilica Is a Must-Visit in Valletta:
The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is not just for architecture lovers or religious visitors, it’s for anyone who wants to understand Valletta on a deeper level. From a travel perspective, it’s one of those places where history, culture, and visual beauty collide effortlessly.
Lower Barrakka Gardens is a small, pretty park. It was created by French troops at the end of the 18th century. A beautiful green oasis in the middle of the city, around 800 meters from Upper Barrakka Gardens. It’s a great place to linger and you have a great view of Valletta’s harbor.
A Perfect Escape Inside the City Walls
Valletta can feel intense in the best way, steep streets, golden limestone, constant history at every corner. That’s why Lower Barrakka Gardens feel almost essential. It’s the kind of place where you pause your walking route, sit on a bench, and let everything settle.
We found ourselves staying longer than planned. Watching the ships move through the harbour, the sunlight shifting over the water, and the city quietly continuing around us.
👉 Why You Shouldn’t Skip Lower Barrakka Gardens
Fort Saint Elmo is a fortress that was built during the reign of the Order of St. John. The fortress is located on the northern tip of Valletta and is now home to the National War Museum. There are several interesting exhibition rooms and great views.
Tickets are available directly at the entrance or via Heritage Malta. No advance booking usually needed.
🎟️ Entry (approx.):
Adults: around €10
Students/Seniors: around €7–8
Children under 12: often free
🕒 Opening times:
Summer: 09:00 – 18:00 (last entry ~17:30)
Winter: 09:00 – 17:00 (last entry ~16:30)
Closed: 24, 25, 31 Dec & 1 Jan
👉 Why Visit Fort Saint Elmo?
Upper Barrakka Gardens, like Lower Barrakka Gardens, is a beautiful park with great views of the Grand Harbour, among other places. The park is located at the highest point of the city walls and there are also various works of art and monuments here. It is a great place that is particularly busy around midday when the cannon shot is fired from the Saluting Battery. There is also a small café where you can get snacks, hot and cold drinks.
👉 What Makes It Special
The gardens sit right on top of the city walls, turning what used to be a military platform into a peaceful public space. Today, it’s a mix of locals, travelers, and photographers all sharing one of Malta’s best views.
Right below the terrace, you can also watch the famous Saluting Battery cannon firing, a tradition that still happens daily.
Saluting Battery (Don’t Miss This)
One of the most famous churches in Malta is St. John’s Co-Cathedral in the heart of Valletta. It is called a co-cathedral because it serves as the second seat of the Archbishop of Malta alongside St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina. The church was built in the mid-late 16th century. You can buy tickets online on the official website or on site for 15€.
👉 What You Shouldn’t Miss Inside:
Every step reveals something new, it’s one of those places where you naturally slow down just to take it all in.
For almost 500 years, the Saluting Batteries have protected the harbor from ship attacks and are one of the oldest saluting cannons still in use in the world. Every day at 12:00 and 16:00, shots are fired from the well-preserved cannons at the Upper Barrakka Garden. A very cool and loud experience. Tickets cost €3 per person and can be purchased online in advance or on site.
👉 Cannon Firing Times
👉 Tickets & Opening Hours
Tickets can be bought at the entrance or combined with Upper Barrakka access depending on current setup.
Sliema is Valletta’s neighboring town. The town has over 20,000 inhabitants, which is around 3-4 times as many as Valletta. Sliema’s skyline is characterized by many high-rise buildings and newly built apartments. There is a small promenade with cute bathing spots from where you have a perfect view of Valletta’s old town. A ferry runs back and forth here every day.
The National Library of Malta is not only a beautiful building but also a treasure trove of Maltese history dating back to the Crusaders. It is located in Republic Street and is home to several hundred thousand works.
👉 Good to know:
Taking photos is not allowed in the library. You must show your ID card at the entrance. Entry to the library is free.
Hastings Gardens is a very beautiful garden located on top of St. John’s Bastion and St. Michael’s Bastion. From here you have a very beautiful view of Sliema and the harbor. There are several monuments in the garden, including the tomb of the garden’s founder. A very beautiful, lovingly landscaped small garden for walking, relaxing and admiring.
The many unique streets in Valletta are a sight in themselves. Uniquely beautiful with many colorful balconies, countless good restaurants, bars and shops. One of the most famous streets here is Strait Street. The center of the city used to be a red light district and artists’ district. Today the street is lined with many good restaurants and bars offering great evenings out.
The Grand Master’s Palace is located in the center of Valletta at the end of Republic Street. Throughout history, the palace, which was built in the 16th century, has served as the official residence to many rulers. Today it is the residence and office of the President of Malta. The palace is partially accessible and is one of the most popular attractions in Valletta and Malta.
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When we travel, we always save the best places we discover from hidden viewpoints and cozy cafés to beautiful beaches and must-see spots. To make trip planning easier, we created interactive travel maps with all our favorite locations in one place. Simply open the map and explore the places we personally visited.
Note: The buttons and images above link to our interactive travel maps hosted on Rexby, where you can explore all saved locations in detail. Thanks for your support friends!
We spent a total of two nights in Valletta. A third would definitely be recommended. There is something for everyone here and there are many very beautiful and unique accommodations. We stayed at the Embassy Valletta Hotel and can highly recommend it. It’s not the cheapest but it’s definitely one of the best with a fantastic view.
For a comfortable and stylish stay in Malta’s capital with an awesome rooftop terrace, we chose the *Embassy Valletta Hotel. Located just a short walk from the historic city center, it’s the perfect base to explore Valletta’s golden streets, cafes, and waterfront views.
Whether you’re visiting for history, culture, or just a Mediterranean escape, we would say that the Embassy Valletta Hotel makes exploring the city easy and enjoyable.
Maltese cuisine is a unique mix of many cultural influences and is part of Mediterranean cuisine. The dishes here are mostly vegetable-focused but also range from hearty pies to delicious seafood dishes and fresh, hearty stews. Valletta is the perfect place to indulge in culinary delights.
Another good restaurant can be found on the roof terrace of the Embassy Valletta Hotel. The food is a bit more expensive but you get a fantastic view and usually a beautiful sunset.
If you are looking for a place for good drinks and a cool location, then definitely check out the 33 Steps Bar on the unique Santa Lucia Street.
In Valletta, the best way to get from A to B is on foot. The city is very manageable and everything is easily accessible on foot. If you want to get out of the city, the best way is by bus, Uber or ferry. For example, there is a ferry that runs to Sliema and back all day. An Uber ride from Valletta to the airport costs around 20-25€.
