Valletta is small enough to walk across in 15 minutes, yet it’s packed with so much history that the whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege of 1565, Malta’s capital is full of baroque churches, palaces, bastions with harbour views, museums, lively squares and great places to eat and drink. Here are the best things to do in Valletta.
Visiting Valletta for an event? See what’s on in our Malta events calendar.
Valletta at a glance
- Size: about 1 km by 600 m, so everything is walkable
- Getting there: buses from all over Malta stop at the terminus by City Gate, and ferries run from Sliema and the Three Cities
- Time needed: one full day for the highlights, two to explore properly
- Best time: early morning or late afternoon, when cruise crowds are smaller
- Good to know: the streets are steep in places, so wear comfortable shoes
Top sights in Valletta
1. St John’s Co-Cathedral
Valletta’s most famous sight. Behind a plain front lies one of Europe’s most lavish baroque interiors, with a painted ceiling, marble tombstones covering the floor and two works by Caravaggio, including The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. Shoulders and knees should be covered.
2. Upper Barrakka Gardens and the Saluting Battery
The best view in Malta: the Grand Harbour, the Three Cities and Fort St Angelo spread out below. The Saluting Battery under the gardens fires its cannons every day at noon.
3. The Grandmaster’s Palace
Once home to the Grand Masters of the Order of St John, and now the Office of the President. The State Rooms and the famous Palace Armoury are open to visitors when not in official use.
4. Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum
The star-shaped fort at the tip of Valletta played a key role in the Great Siege of 1565 and in the Second World War. Today it houses the National War Museum, which covers Malta’s military history from prehistory to WWII, including the George Cross awarded to the island.
5. Lower Barrakka Gardens
Quieter than the Upper Barrakka, with a small neoclassical temple, benches in the shade and views over the breakwater and the mouth of the Grand Harbour.
6. Republic Street and Merchants Street
Valletta’s two main streets run the length of the city. Republic Street is full of shops, cafés and landmarks, while Merchants Street has the old market hall (now a food market) and more local shops.
7. The Lascaris War Rooms
An underground complex of tunnels and rooms beneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens, used as Malta’s war headquarters during the Second World War.
8. Casa Rocca Piccola
A 16th-century palace still lived in by a Maltese noble family, with guided tours of its rooms, collections and wartime shelters.
9. MUŻA, the National Museum of Art
Malta’s national art museum, set in a historic building on Merchants Street, with Maltese and European art from the medieval period to today.
10. The National Museum of Archaeology
See treasures from Malta’s prehistoric temples, including the famous “Sleeping Lady” and the large figures known as the “fat ladies”.
Culture, shows and nightlife
11. Teatru Manoel
Built in 1731, Teatru Manoel is one of the oldest working theatres in Europe. Catch a play, concert or opera, or take a guided tour. Check our Theatre & Shows calendar for what’s on.
12. Strait Street
Once the rowdy entertainment street for sailors, Strait Street (Triq id-Dejqa) is now a narrow lane full of wine bars and small restaurants. Perfect for an evening drink.
13. Pjazza Teatru Rjal
The open-air theatre built in the ruins of the old Royal Opera House, which was destroyed in WWII. It hosts concerts and festivals, especially in summer.
14. Spazju Kreattiv at St James Cavalier
Malta’s centre for creativity, with exhibitions, a small cinema, theatre and live performances in a converted fortification.
Harbours and views
15. Take the ferry to the Three Cities
Ferries and traditional dgħajsa water taxis cross the Grand Harbour to Birgu in a few minutes. It’s one of the best ways to see Valletta’s walls from the water.
16. Ride the Barrakka Lift
The lift connects the Upper Barrakka Gardens with the Grand Harbour waterfront, saving a steep walk.
17. Walk the bastions at sunset
Walk along the walls on the Marsamxett side for sunset views over Sliema and Manoel Island.
18. Valletta Waterfront
Just outside the walls in Floriana, the restored warehouses of the Valletta Waterfront have restaurants by the cruise terminal and are lovely in the evening.
Food and events
19. Eat like a local
Try pastizzi from a takeaway bar, a ftira sandwich, rabbit, fresh fish or a long Maltese lunch. The food hall in the old market on Merchants Street is great for a quick, varied meal.
20. Join an event or festival
Valletta hosts many of Malta’s biggest events: Notte Bianca in October, Christmas in the Capital with its lights in December, the national New Year’s Eve celebration, Carnival in February and summer concerts. See our events calendar and our Christmas in Malta guide.
Tips for visiting Valletta
- Getting there: buses from almost everywhere in Malta stop at City Gate, and the ferry from Sliema takes a few minutes. Read our Malta public transport guide.
- Driving: parking is limited and the centre has restricted access, so take the bus, ferry or a ride-hailing app.
- Opening times: museums often close earlier on Sundays and on public holidays.
- Dress code: cover shoulders and knees in churches.
- Cruise days: mornings can be crowded when big ships are in port.
Frequently asked questions
Is Valletta worth visiting?
Yes. It’s one of the most beautiful and historic small capitals in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Malta’s centre for culture, events and food.
How much time do you need in Valletta?
One full day covers the main sights. Two days lets you add museums, a harbour trip and an evening on Strait Street.
What time is the noon gun in Valletta?
The Saluting Battery fires its cannons every day at noon.
Is Valletta walkable?
Very. The city is about 1 km long, though some streets are steep and have steps.
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