The European Capital of Culture is a small city with a big personality stemming from its deeply interesting history and stunning sightseeing destinations. It can be difficult to know where to start for first-time visitors, luckily we’re here to give you our list of things to do on your visit to Valletta.
St. John’s Co-Cathedral
Looking quite plain from the outside may give the impression you can skip over St. John’s Co-Cathedral during your visit to Valetta, however, step inside and you will realize it is anything but plain.
Constructed in the late 16th century by the Knights of St. John and Ceilings painted by Malta’s most famous painter, Mattia Preti it’s obvious why this has become the go-to tourist spot in all of Valletta
Between the eight chapels, the beautiful marble floor decorated with the coat of arms, and the art of Italian artist Caravaggio there is a lot to take in inside this magnificent piece of history.
Caffe Cordina
A short walk from St. John’s Co-Cathedral you will find the historic Caffe Cordina, one of Valletta’s oldest cafes.
With this quality of food and drink, specifically the traditional Maltese pastries it is little wonder that Caffe Cordina has survived and thrived ever since it opened its doors back in 1837.
Manoel Theatre
One of the oldest theatres in all of Europe, the Manoel Theatre is our next offering.
Though the small theatre rarely hosts shows in modern days, if you can find a show it is well worth it to experience the theatre hall come to life. If there are no shows available during your visit you can also take a guided audio tour around the theatre and its attached museum to really tell you the history of this magnificent structure.
Valletta Waterfront
For a nice relaxing stop on your visit consider heading down to the stunning Valletta waterfront.
With a variety of storefronts and restaurants along the coast, this is the perfect place to start your day with some morning shopping and a cafe breakfast or to end it by sipping some wine and looking out over the beautiful waterfront view.
One certainty is that Valletta’s waterfront will leave a lasting impression you will be itching to return for.
The Upper Barrakka Gardens
Built on Valletta’s highest point, the Upper Barrakka Gardens feature fountains, flowerbeds, statues, and multiple outlooks from which to admire the stunning panoramas of the Grand Harbor.
A level below we find the Saluting Battery, lined with military cannons where a traditional gun salute ceremony takes place at noon every day as a tribute to Valletta’s storied military history.
The Lower Barrakka Gardens
Further along the seashore, we find the Lower Barrakka Gardens, with a very similar appeal to the Upper Barrakka Gardens the Lower Gardens are a smaller attraction but that is not to say they are not worth visiting as well.
There are two main things that make the Lower Gardens worth seeing. The first of which is a small neoclassical temple dedicated to the man who led the Maltese in the war against the French, Alexander Ball. The second is the Siege Bell War Memorial which makes for a very photogenic monument, ideal for snapping a picture to remember your visit.
The Casa Rocca Piccola
A different suggestion now is The Casa Rocca Piccola, a palace in Valletta that is still inhabited where the 9th generation of Marquis de Piro has been living.
In order to spread the history and culture of a Maltese aristocratic family, the current owner has opened a part of the house to the public. 12 rooms of this palace are open to visitors in which you’ll peruse the private collections of the Marquis.
For a more unique view of history be sure to take one of the guided tours of the Casa Rocca Piccola.
Republic Street and Merchant Street
The 2 main shopping streets of Valletta, Republic, and Merchant streets are the go-to for souvenir shopping including Malta’s definitive souvenir: a knight of the Order of Malta figurine.
A lot of jewelers also make these streets home as the craftsmen of Malta are renowned for their silver and gold filigree.
Republic Street is home to monuments such as St. Francis of Assisi Church and the Church of Saint Barbara as well as a large local market every Sunday morning.
Museums
Despite being a smaller city Valletta is home to three unique museums all of which are worth your time and attention.
National Museum of Archaeology
First up in our trio of museums is the National Museum of Archaeology. Constructed in 1571, this museum is quite small but very detailed.
Giving an idea of Malta’s history from around 5000 BC to 2500 BC the museum features a collection of items from prehistoric temples across the island including the two most famous statuettes The Sleeping Lady and the Venus of Malta.
MUZA Museum of Fine Arts
The second of these museums has a collection of sculptures, paintings, and furniture associated with the Knights of the order of Malta.
MUZA also features works of Mattia Preti, the same artist that painted the frescoes on St. John’s Co-Cathedral’s vault. The museum also features a section dedicated to the weapons, costumes, and coats of arms of the knights.
Fort St. Elmo and the National War Museum
Finally, we have Fort St. Elmo and the National War Museum.
Constructed in 1552 to protect Valletta harbor, Fort St. Elmo is famous for being central to one of the greatest tragedies in Maltese history, The Great Siege.
In modern-day, the fort is an important memorial site for Malta and host to the National War Museum, making it a must if you have any interest in Malta’s history in war.
Annual Events
Valletta also plays host to a series of events that only come around once a year and here are some of our highlights:
The Malta International Arts Festival – A festival of music, dance, theatre, and even a circus
Malta Jazz Festival – A high-profile event with concerts held in and around Valletta
Malta International Fireworks Festival – A festival dedicated to fireworks stemming from the era of the Knights of the Order
With these and more there’s no surprise that Valletta is known as the European Capital of Culture.
