Built after the Turkish siege of the island of Malta in 1565, the city of Valletta is one of the finest examples of Renaissance city planning. You'll find impressive palaces, beautiful churches (one of which is, in my opinion, in the top five in all of Europe), incredible views of the bay, and all this alongside quite a few lesser-known but fascinating places.
In my opinion, Valletta is worth at least a full day, and for those who want to visit all its attractions – it is recommended to dedicate two days. To help you not miss any of the city’s attractions, I have created a walking route for you that starts at the city gates and ends with an amazing view of Valletta’s main bay.
But before we embark on our trip, let me give you a little tip that will enhance the experience. Learn about the history of Valletta. Knowing the history will give a broader context to everything you see and help you better understand what you are experiencing there.
To save you time, I did the work for you and created An article that briefly summarizes the history of Valletta. Have you finished reading the article? Excellent! Let's get started!
Valletta city tour itinerary
The Triton Fountain, a demolished opera house, and a parliament building that should have been demolished
We start at the entrance to Valletta near the main bus station, from where you can get, cheaply, to almost anywhere in Malta. In the square in front of the gate you will find the Triton Fountain, built by Vincent Apap (1909-2003) and Wicket
We start at the entrance gate to Lolita, near the main bus station, from which you can get, at a low cost, to almost anywhere in Malta. In the square in front of the gate you will find the Triton Fountain, built by Vincent Apap (1909-2003) and Victor Anastasi (1913-1992) and launched in 1959.
This fountain symbolizes the maritime past of Malta Using the three tritons holding a water basin (which suddenly crashed in 1978, requiring significant renovation).
After you've finished admiring the bronze and concrete fountain, you're invited to enter Valletta's main gate, while being impressed by the thick, impenetrable walls erected by the Knights of Malta as a lesson from the siege in 1565 (you can read about it in the article on the history of Valletta).
On your right you will notice an ugly modern building in the Brutalist style. This is the Parliament of Malta, built between 2011 and 2015 at a cost to Maltese taxpayers of around €90 million. The building was designed by an architect known to any lover of French architecture (for better or worse, depending on how much you love or hate modern architecture) – of course, I mean Renzo Piano, who also designed the Center Pompidou In Paris.
Still, two good things can be said about this structure:
- There was no need to destroy historic buildings to build it (that was done by the Nazis who bombed the area during World War II).
- Until its establishment, the parliament was housed in the palace of the head of the Order of the Knights of Malta, which I will write about later. Since the opening of the new parliament building, the palace has become a museum and is open to the general public – and thanks to this, you can visit it.
Continue a little further along Republic Street, and you will see a structure that resembles a ruined Roman temple. In fact, despite its appearance, it is not a particularly old building, but the Royal Opera House of Malta, built between 1862 and 1866 by Edward Middleton Barry (1830-1880), who also designed Covent Garden, the famous opera house in London.
This building was bombed by the Luftwaffe during World War II, and after the war there were not enough resources to rebuild it. Instead, it was decided to turn what was left of it into an open-air theater. If you want to know what is being shown there, you can check it out atLink this.
One of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe
Continue on Republic Street until you reach the Cathedral of St. John. Don’t let the unimpressive exterior fool you – this is one of the most beautiful churches in Europe, so it’s a must-see.
This church was built between 1573 and 1578 by the famous Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar (1520-1592) for the Order of the Knights of Malta. During the 17th century it was decorated by the renowned Neapolitan painter Mattia Preti (1613-1699), who is responsible for its magnificent interior design.
Take your time and wander through the chapels, each dedicated to a different part of the Order of the Knights of Malta. Each chapel is more beautiful and magnificent than the last, and the eyes never cease to marvel at the splendor and grandeur.
French culture enthusiasts among you will notice that in the chapel belonging to the French part of the order, the brother of Louis Philippe, who ruled as king, is buried. France Between the years 1830 and 1848.
After visiting all the chapels and even going up to the balcony to view the church from above, you are invited to enter the church’s oratory for the “main course.” I am referring, of course, to the painting “The Execution of John the Baptist” from 1608, painted by none other than Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 1571-1610).
The painter, with his immense talent and turbulent personality, arrived in Malta while fleeing Italy following a murder he had committed. His extraordinary talent caused the head of the order to overlook his criminal past and even grant him the title of “Knight of Malta.” Here he painted his only large painting (5.7 meters long by 3.2 meters high), which is adorned with his signature.
Caravaggio got into trouble again when he attacked and seriously wounded a Knight of Malta. He was imprisoned, but managed to escape from prison in Malta and reach Sicily. He ended up dying about two years later in Naples, and some claim that he did not die a natural death but was murdered by the Knights of Malta.
I personally recommend arriving at this church at 09:30 AM, before the tourists start arriving, so you can enjoy the place at your leisure. If you would like to book tickets in advance, you can do so via This site.
שעות פתיחה:
Monday to Saturday: 09:30–16:30; Sundays and religious holidays: 09:30–12:00.
Manuel Theater
Continue on Republic Street until you reach the intersection with Old Theater Street. On your right you will see the Old Library of Valletta and a statue of Queen Victoria, commemorating the days when Malta was a British colony. Go left on Old Theater Street until you reach the Teatru Manuel.
This is one of the oldest theaters in Europe still in existence, built in 1731 by order of the head of the Order of the Knights of Malta, Manoel de Vilhena (1663-1736). I highly recommend visiting the place (tickets cost a few euros, last time I checked) and enjoying the magnificent 650-seat opera house and the painted Rococo ceiling.
If you are lucky and there is a concert or opera taking place at the same time you are in Malta, you can book tickets through This siteI had the opportunity to hear a concert there once and I really enjoyed both the beauty of the hall and the excellent acoustics.
Visiting hours at the Manuel Theater
Monday to Friday: Tours take place at 11:00 AM and 15:00 PM in winter (from September 1), and at 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM in summer (from June 20).
Saturdays: Tours take place at 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30.
Sunday and holidays: The theater is closed.
After visiting the Manueline Theatre, you are invited to visit the “Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel”, which is located a few steps away and whose dome has become one of the symbols of Valletta. The original church was built in the 16th century and underwent changes during the 19th century.
However, like quite a few buildings, this church was completely destroyed by bombing and rebuilt during the 1950s. That's why, in my opinion, this church is not particularly beautiful (certainly if we compare it to St. John's Cathedral), but if you've come this far, why not go inside?
Palace of the Head of the Order
Retrace your steps on Old Theater Street and turn left onto Republic Street. You will reach Saint Georges Square. Continue on Republic Street until you reach the intersection with Old Theater Street.
Just before you reach the intersection of the streets, you will see a beautiful small fountain on your left. This fountain was built by Emmanuel Marie des Neiges de Rohan-Polduc (1725-1797), and lovers of French history will surely know that he was a descendant of the famous Rohan family, which left behind an impressive castle in Brittany, palaces in Paris, Bordeaux and Strasbourg and more. Anyone who wants to get to know this family better is invited to read the article Josselin and the Rohan family: a thousand years of history.
On your right you see the Grandmaster's Palace as well as the Old Library of Valletta and a statue of Queen Victoria, commemorating the days when Malta was a British colony.
The Grand Master's Palace was begun in 1571 and expanded by the various Grand Masters of the Order of Malta over the years. In Valletta, Malta, it is a historic and central building in the city, which has served as an important seat of government over the years. Between 1800 and 1964, the British Governor lived here, and between 1964 and 2015, the Maltese Parliament was located here, before moving to the new building, which we discussed earlier.
Today, the President of Malta lives here, and parts of the palace also function as a lovely museum, which is definitely worth a visit. The two main attractions here are:
- The “Throne Room”, decorated with paintings depicting the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.
- The Armor Museum displays an impressive collection of weapons and armor from the period of the Hospitaller Order. It is one of the most important collections of its kind in the world.
The Palace of the Grand Master of the Order of Malta is open to the public every day from 09:00 AM to 17:00 PM. Please note that the museum in the palace closes an hour earlier, at 16:00 PM.
Casa Rocca Piccola
After visiting the large and impressive palace of the Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of Malta, how about visiting a smaller and more intimate palace? Exit the palace and with your back to it, walk right on Republic Street until you reach number 74, where Casa Rocca Piccola is located.
This is a palace belonging to the de Piro family, a noble family of Italian origin that moved to Malta and whose sons, over the years, filled a series of positions in the order and the Italian church (including secretary of the Inquisition in 1720).
The De Pirro family still resides in the palace and invites you to visit 12 of its 50 rooms and learn about the aristocratic life in Malta over the past 500 years. You will find a rich collection of antique furniture, artwork, silverware and sacred objects.
In addition, you can see typical clothes from balls and aristocratic life, along with unique items such as antique glasses and walking sticks. If you are lucky, your tour will be guided by one of the palace owners, who will be happy to tell you about the local history.
If you would like to learn more about the place, you are welcome to watch this excellent video (it is in Maltese but with English subtitles).
Fort St. Elmo and War Museum
Continue down Republic Street until you reach its end, then turn right. You will immediately see Fort Saint Elmo, one of Malta's mythical fortresses, in front of you.
The fortress was built in 1533 by the Knights of Malta, and in 1565 a fierce battle was fought here between 100 Knights of Malta, reinforced by 700 soldiers, and an Ottoman army numbering tens of thousands of soldiers. Despite the huge difference in the number of soldiers, it took the Ottomans a month to capture the fortress, at the cost of about 8,000 dead, and thus St. Elmo became a symbol of the steadfastness of the Maltese against the Turks.
The fort was later renovated and expanded, and now houses the Maltese War Museum. Also on the fort grounds is the audiovisual show “The Malta Experience,” which presents the history of Malta (highly recommended whether you have read my article on the history of Malta or not).
Here is a short video about the place:
You can book a ticket for the show and the old hospital, which I'll write about in a moment. Using this link.
Opening days and hours
Weekdays (Monday to Friday): Shows at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 13:00 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:00 PM and 16:00 PM.
Saturdays: Shows at 11:00, 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00 PM.
Sundays: Shows at 11:00, 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00 (from July to September there is no show at 14:00).
The old hospital
Right next to the “Malta Experience” is “La Sacra Infermeria” (The Holy Hospital). As you know, the Order of the Knights of Malta is also called the Order of the Hospitallers, because since their founding they have been engaged in medicine. The Order’s hospital was considered one of the best in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and quite a few patients came here to be cured.
Here is a short video about the place:
Today, the site houses the Medical Museum and a conference center. I visited the Medical Museum, which, to my surprise, was very interesting (I still remember a menu that was served in the hospital, which proves that the food in hospitals in the 16th century was much tastier than the food in hospitals today).
As mentioned, it is possible and advisable to order a ticket that includes the “Malta Experience” and the hospital.
The Siege Memorial and Lower Raka Gardens
Continue on Mediterenian Street until you reach the memorial commemorating the Second Siege of Malta, which took place between 1940 and 1943. As previously mentioned, during this siege, Malta was bombed and many of its houses were destroyed, taking a heavy toll of approximately 7,000 civilians and soldiers.
This memorial was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II and consists of a rotunda with a bell that rings every day at noon in memory of those who fell in the defense of Malta. It is a free attraction that provides you with a spectacular view of Malta's Grand Harbour.
Opposite the monument you will find the Lower Barracks Gardens, created in 1661 as private gardens for the Knights of Malta and became a public garden in 1821. In the center of the garden is a neoclassical temple, as well as a statue of Sir Alexander Bull, commander of the British fleet in Malta.
The gardens are open every day from 07:00 AM to 21:00 PM.
Muza Museum
Now that you've finished visiting the gardens and maybe even rested a bit, it's time to head back up the hill. Head to Saint Christopher Street and go up until you reach the intersection with Merchants Street. Turn left and walk up the street where you can find quite a few restaurants and even an indoor market.
Continue up the street until you reach MUZA, Malta's fine art museum, housed in a 16th-century palace that served as the headquarters of the Italian Knights of Malta. The building's Baroque style stems from the renovations made by the order's head, Gregorio Carafa (1615-1690), whose head is displayed above the entrance gate.
Today you will find a very nice museum here that displays works of art by Maltese artists, but also those that came from other places. There is also a cafe and a very nice courtyard, so it is perfect for a quick stop.
If you would like to know what exhibitions are on display at the museum, or buy tickets in advance, you can do so via This site.
Today you will find a very nice museum here that displays works of art by Maltese artists, but also those that came from other places. There is also a cafe and a very nice courtyard, so it is perfect for a quick stop.
If you would like to know what exhibitions are on display at the museum, or buy tickets in advance, you can do so via This site.
Church of Our Lady of Victory
When you leave the museum onto the street, you will see Palazzo Parisio opposite you, where, as the sign on the wall says, Napoleon Bonaparte lived after conquering Malta.
Continue down the street and you will see the Church of Our Lady of Victory, the first church in Boleta, opened in 1566 following the victory over the Turks, hence its name. Unlike a few churches, such as the one opposite, this church is open to the public and is definitely worth a visit.
The church is decorated in the Baroque style and contains impressive frescoes, decorated wooden ceilings, and magnificent altars. The paintings in the church include works by various artists from the Baroque and Rococo periods. Jean de la Vallet, head of the Order of the Knights of Malta, who defeated the Turks, is buried here, and his statue is in the square in front of the church. His body was later transferred to the Cathedral of St. John.
Castile and Bracaccia Hostel and Gardens
Exit the church and you will see the Castilian Lodge opposite you. This magnificent palace was built by Manuel Pinto da Fonseca (1681-1773), the Portuguese-born head of the Order of the Knights of Malta. Since the Portuguese knights belonged to the “Langue” of Castile, it is not surprising that he was the one who rebuilt their headquarters in the Rococo style.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the building, as it serves as the office of the Maltese Prime Minister, but it is definitely recommended to spend a few minutes to admire the magnificent facade.
Once you've finished photographing the magnificent facade and taking a photo, head right (if you're facing the building) and you'll soon reach the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Just like the Lower Barrakka Gardens, these gardens were also built for the Knights of Malta and became public gardens in the 19th century. You'll find a number of statues of important people in the garden, most notably Winston Churchill. However, the main attraction here is the spectacular view of the bay and the three cities from above.
I'll leave you here to enjoy the view, because this is where our trip ends. If you want to hike further, here are two options:
- Take the elevator in the garden down to the promenade. There you can take a boat to the Three Cities and take a walk there.
- If all the museums you visited during your trip weren't enough for you, you are welcome to visit the Lascaris War Rooms, located 400 meters below the Barracks Gardens. This was the location of the British headquarters that managed the defense of the island during World War II, and today you can find an interesting museum here that deals with the subject. More information about the place can be found here On this site.
Guided tours in Valletta
In order to keep the article reasonably long, I wrote about each of the places we saw briefly. However, if you want to get to know Valletta in more depth, I highly recommend taking an organized tour. Here are some recommended tours:
Want more tours? You are welcome to enterLink this.
Accommodation in Valletta
As you can see, Valletta is a very interesting city and requires at least a day or two to get to know it. It is also home to Malta's central station, from where you can reach many other important places, such as Mdina. Therefore, I definitely recommend making Valletta your base of departure and staying there.
If you accept my advice, you are welcome to enterRecommended hotels page in Valletta, where you will find a number of excellent hotels at a variety of prices.