Valletta Malta Holidays
Valletta
Holidays
Europe's smallest capital and one of its most extraordinary — a UNESCO World Heritage city of Baroque palaces, the magnificent Grand Harbour, the finest cathedral interior in the Mediterranean and 7,000 years of history packed into just 1km²
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Flight Time
3h from London
Best Time
April to June, September to November
Country
Malta
Suppliers
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Valletta Holiday Guide
Valletta is one of the most extraordinary cities in Europe — St John's Co-Cathedral, the Grand Harbour, the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the most concentrated collection of Baroque architecture and history in the world, packed into just 1km². 3 hours from London.
April to June and September to November are ideal.
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Average Temperatures
Jan
15°C
Feb
15°C
Mar
17°C
Apr
19°C
May
23°C
Jun
27°C
Jul
31°C
Aug
31°C
Sep
28°C
Oct
24°C
Nov
20°C
Dec
16°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Valletta
St John's Co-Cathedral, the Grand Harbour, the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the most extraordinary concentration of Baroque architecture and history in Europe.
St John's Co-Cathedral
St John's Co-Cathedral is the finest Baroque interior in Europe and the most extraordinary building in Malta — a 16th-century cathedral built by the Knights of St John, with a plain, austere exterior that gives no hint of the extraordinary interior: every inch of the walls and ceiling covered in gilded Baroque carvings, the floor paved with the polychrome marble tombstones of 400 Knights, and Caravaggio's largest painting (The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, 1608) in the Oratory. The cathedral is unmissable.
Grand Harbour
The Grand Harbour is the most spectacular natural harbour in the Mediterranean — a vast, deep-water harbour flanked by the fortifications of Valletta on one side and the Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua) on the other, with extraordinary views of Baroque fortifications, church domes and the open sea. The harbour has been the strategic heart of Malta for 2,000 years. The finest view is from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. The harbour cruise (departing from the Valletta waterfront) is the finest way to see the fortifications.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
The Upper Barrakka Gardens are the finest viewpoint in Malta — a beautiful 16th-century garden on the bastions of Valletta, with extraordinary views of the Grand Harbour, the Three Cities and the open Mediterranean. The gardens are the most photographed viewpoint in Malta and are the finest place to watch the daily cannon salute (fired at noon and 4pm from the Saluting Battery below the gardens). The gardens are a short walk from the main entrance to Valletta and are free to enter.
The Palace & Museums
Valletta has the finest concentration of museums and historic buildings in the Mediterranean. The Grand Master's Palace (the former seat of the Knights of St John, now the office of the President of Malta) has extraordinary State Rooms and the finest collection of armour in the world. The National Museum of Archaeology has the most important collection of prehistoric artefacts in Malta, including the extraordinary 'Sleeping Lady' figurine from the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. The MUZA (National Museum of Art) is in a beautiful 16th-century palazzo.
The Three Cities
The Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua) are the most atmospheric and authentic neighbourhoods in the Valletta area — three fortified peninsulas across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, with narrow medieval lanes, extraordinary fortifications, the Malta Maritime Museum and the most genuine Maltese character of any area in the country. The Three Cities are accessible by the traditional dgħajsa water taxi from the Valletta waterfront (the most atmospheric way to cross the harbour) or by bus.
Food & Restaurants
Valletta has the finest restaurant scene in Malta — a concentration of excellent restaurants in the streets around Republic Street and Merchant Street. The best include the Noni (the finest modern Maltese restaurant in Valletta), the Rubino (the most traditional and celebrated restaurant in Malta, open since 1906), the Trabuxu Wine Bar (the finest wine bar in Valletta, in a beautiful vaulted cellar) and the Caffe Cordina (the most famous cafe in Malta, open since 1837, with a beautiful terrace on Republic Square).
Waterfront & Harbour Cruises
The Valletta Waterfront (Pinto Wharf) is the most atmospheric and beautiful waterfront in Malta — a beautifully restored 18th-century warehouse complex on the Grand Harbour, with restaurants, bars and the cruise ship terminal. The harbour cruises departing from the waterfront are the finest way to see the Grand Harbour fortifications — the views of Valletta, the Three Cities and Fort St Angelo from the water are extraordinary. Evening harbour cruises with dinner are the most romantic experience in Malta.
Practical Tips
Valletta is 20 minutes from Malta International Airport by bus or taxi. The city is best explored on foot — it is tiny (1km²) and entirely walkable. The main entrance is through the City Gate (rebuilt in 2014 by Renzo Piano). Republic Street is the main thoroughfare. Most museums are closed on Sundays. April to June and September to November are the best times to visit — the summer heat (July–August, 31°C+) can make sightseeing uncomfortable. The Valletta Waterfront is the best area for evening dining.
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