For lovers of quiet travel, in places with a rich cultural charge, Valletta is the perfect place! The smallest capital in the European Union (with an area of less than one square kilometer), Valletta has earned its reputation among tourists both for its history and for its baroque architectural beauty, recognized as a UNESCO heritage. It manages to contain in its reduced space about 320 monuments waiting to be visited!

The capital of Malta combines diverse elements like nowhere else! You can enjoy the beaches Mediterranean, Arabic details and gastronomy with Italian, Spanish, French, but also North African influences. These things are due to the tumultuous history of the city, founded in the 16th century. This is where the medieval atmosphere that surrounds any tourist when walking the streets of the stone city comes from.

Transport

The airport is less than 10 km from the city, and transportation will not give you a headache. You can use public transport and the X4 bus has departures to the city every 30 minutes. The journey will take approximately 25 minutes and the ticket costs €2, which can be purchased directly from the driver or from the vending machines and information counters. If you don't want to get involved with the bus, you can choose a taxi, and the 10-minute journey will cost at least €15.

What do you use in Valletta?

Because the city is very small, you don't have to worry about moving between the places you want to visit. You can choose public transport, consisting of several bus routes, but take into account that the buses do not run very frequently. A ticket costs €2 in summer, €1.5 in winter, and €3 at night, but you should also consider a 7-day pass, which for €21 gives you unlimited travel. The city and a very well-designed website to help you use public transport: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/.

Of course, the other option is to use a taxi, but you should know that this is quite an expensive option in Valletta. The starting rate is €8, to which €3 is added for each km traveled. You can also consider renting a car, and the price for a day starts from 15€. There are counters of the companies including in the airport.

Also, do not shy away from walking between the places you will visit, because the road can be an amazing attraction in itself, and the medieval streets promise to take your breath away and make you admire them for minutes. The city can be crossed from one side to the other in just 30 minutes, which is why this travel option is the one we recommend!

Accommodation

In the city you will find enough accommodation possibilities, in 3, 4, or even 5 star hotels, or perhaps apartments, most of which often offer you a sea view. Prices prices start from 80€ for a room for 2 people. Being a small city, you don't necessarily need to stay in the center to have quick access to the main areas. However, try to book a few months in advance to find more great deals.

Here are some recommendations of places that will not disappoint you:

Luciano Valletta Boutique it is a place highly appreciated by tourists, with prices below average, a room for 2 people consisting of only €90. The 3-star hotel is centrally located in a stunning historic building, and the rooms offer a sense of calm and comfort. You will have access to the restaurant, bar, and breakfast included.
112 Saint John is a hotel in the center, where for 120€ per night for a room for 2 people you will enjoy a splendid, elegant setting, and even breakfast included. In addition, you will also have a jacuzzi.
If you are up to 4 people and prefer an apartment that gives you more freedom, we have found an offer not to be missed: https://www.airbnb.com.ro/rooms/9781065. This medieval apartment offers tourists 2 bedrooms for only €135 per night, and a welcoming and well-equipped home.

Tourist card

For important offers and benefits you should consider purchasing a tourist card. Valletta does not directly have such an offer, but you can use it Malta Pass, a card that gives you free access or discounts to many island-wide attractions, such as museums, palaces, activities, tours and more, including some in Valletta. The card can be purchased with a validity of 1, 2 or 3 days, costing €30, €43 and €53, respectively. You can find more information, as well as the list of all benefits, on the official website: https://www.maltapass.com.mt/en/home.htm.

What and how to visit Valletta - itinerary type

If you want to make the most of your time here, it's best to leave with a well-established plan of what you want to see. For this reason, I have prepared a suggested itinerary for 3 days spent here, which you can follow.

Day 1

Barrakka Gardens
Saint John's Cathedral
Grand Master's Palace
BEACHES

Because the city hides a lot of places that should be visited, don't expect to spend your first day resting in the hotel, but prepare yourself for a fantastic program.

Barrakka Gardens

You can even start with the 2 famous gardens of the city: Upper Barrakka and Lower Barrakka, both overlooking the beautiful sea, located at a distance of 15 minutes on foot. Both were built over 400 years ago, on the highest points in the city, so they have become a favorite place for tourists, from where they can have a superb panoramic view of the island and the Mediterranean Sea. Both decorated with benches, sumptuous arches, fountains and a large number of plants, the 2 gardens are the perfect place to take refuge for a few moments of peace, in a romantic setting, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. You can also go from one to the other by bus 132.

Moreover, here you will also find two other important monuments: the monument dedicated to Alexander Bell (which weighs 10 tons of bronze), and the monument erected in honor of the fallen heroes in the Great Assault of Malta.

Saint John's Cathedral

Saint John's Cathedral is another place not to be missed, a 5-8 minute walk from the 2 gardens, a real architectural edifice and an important religious center. Considered among the most beautiful baroque buildings in Europe, it has a historical, but also artistic, charge of more than 500 years. It enchants visitors both with its rich interior, loaded with golden details, detailed paintings and realistic sculptures, and with its amazing stories. Even the floor is an important element, being made up of approximately 400 tombstones of the Knights of Saint John. Just remember to check the cathedral's opening hours beforehand, as they often change! It is usually open from 9:30 to 16:00 and the entrance costs €15.

Grand Master's Palace

Right next to the cathedral is also Grand Master's Palace, a place that will not let you get out of the medieval atmosphere. The building houses the institution of the presidency, but part of the building has been turned into a museum, so you will be able to admire the sumptuous rooms, mosaic floors, fresco paintings, the inner garden, as well as numerous collections of armor and weapons. Including its garden is worth visiting. However, because it is under restoration, you may find some areas closed.

Day 2

City Gate & Triton Fountain
Casa Rocca Piccola
The Malta Experience
National War Museum
BEACHES

City Gate & Triton Fountain

You can start your second day in Valletta with 2 important monuments in the city center: City Gate and Triton Fountain, right next to each other. The 2 attractions are worth a few minutes to see and, why not, to take a great picture.

Casa Rocca Piccola

And after you're done, walk 10 minutes to get to Casa Rocca Piccola, a palace of the Maltese nobles, turned museum where you can feel the aristocratic atmosphere of the country, among art objects, themed rooms (including a shelter from the Second World War) and lush decorations. You can visit the palace between 10:00 and 17:00 (on Sundays you will find the place closed), and the ticket costs €9.

The Malta Experience

After another 5 minutes of walking, you enter the area of St. Fort. Elmo, where tourists delve into the history of the island. For starters, you can see The Malta Experience, an audio-visual show that presents the island's 7,000 years of disturbing history. It is a very popular attraction among tourists, so do not miss the opportunity to delve into the history of Malta. You can see the documentary every day, between 11:00 and 16:00, and the ticket costs €16 (free with the tourist card).

National War Museum

Also in Fort St. Elmo is also there National War Museum, another place that charts the tumultuous course of the island, through rare artefacts and objects of strong national significance. The museum's schedule is between 10:00 and 16:30 (closed on Sundays), and the ticket will cost you €6 (entrance is free, but with the Malta Pass).

Day 3

The Temples of Tarxien
Grand Harbor
BEACHES

The Temples of Tarxien

Malta is an endless source of attraction for travelers, so we recommend that you don't settle for just what you'll find in Valletta. For this reason you can start your day with a 30-minute ride on the 91 bus to The Temples of Tarxien. The ruins with an age of over 5000 years are the most complex archaeological site of the island, a place not to be missed. You will be amazed by the complexity of the constructions, and even the figures carved in stone, which have stood the test of time. You can visit the place on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, between 10:00 and 16:30, and the ticket costs €6 (free with the tourist card).

Grand Harbor

And of course, because you are on an island in the Mediterranean, you must not miss the opportunity to walk in the sea breeze, on The Great Harbour from Valleta once you return to the city. This walk will give you the opportunity to soak up the city's beautiful scenery, enjoy some quiet moments, and even explore some of the city's most popular eateries.

Malta beaches

And because you can't leave a Mediterranean city without including in your days here a few hours to take advantage of the water, sun and sand, reserve a few hours for Beach. However, you must know that you will not find beaches in the Capital, but in the nearby towns. The prices are affordable, and you will be able to find offers for 2 sunbeds and an umbrella under €15.

I have also prepared a small list of some beaches that we recommend you to choose:

Ghadir Fund is a rocky beach 25 minutes from Valleta by bus 13, 14, 16 or 21. The setting created by the beach is splendid, perfect for a romantic sunset.
St George's Bay it is one of the few beaches in the area without too many rocks, being highly appreciated by tourists. It takes 20 minutes on the TD13 bus.
Golden Bay it's a bit further, an hour away by bus 44, but the beach promises to live up to anyone's expectations, with a Blue Flag (which is why it's the most popular beach in the country). It is also suitable for families with children, having fine sand, a high degree of cleanliness and many facilities.

For a better picture of the beaches, we recommend you to read our comprehensive travel guide to Malta, there you will also find pictures for each individual beach.

Food

Malta's cuisine successfully combines gastronomic elements from several cultures, which is why you should definitely try the local dishes. The Maltese use a multitude of ingredients, so you're sure to find something you like. Pastizzi is one of the most famous dishes, which you can find in any corner of Valletta, a puff pastry filled with cheese, egg and vegetables, sardines or meat, which is eaten hot Rabbit is an element present in Maltese cuisine, which is why we also recommend Fenke, a stew with rabbit meat and a variety of vegetables, cooked in white wine. And to avoid dehydration in the heat of Malta, Kinnie is a very popular carbonated drink on the island, with a bittersweet taste, and produced from local oranges.

Where do you eat in Valletta?

And in terms of places and restaurants, although the city is small, there is no shortage of things where you can enjoy a decent meal. We recommend that you include in your list Leek (a very popular restaurant with local dishes, where you will spend at least €25), SOTTO Romanian strain (especially if you're a pizza lover, and prices start at €12) and Cafe Cordina (the most popular cafe, which, in addition to fantastic drinks, dishes and desserts, will amaze you with its splendid interior).

So, if you want a holiday with Mediterranean influences, in a gorgeous medieval space, Valletta is the answer to your search, both in the winter and summer months! You own a small town, it will manage not to get bored for even a second, and you will wish you could visit more of beautiful Malta.

In case you are thinking about a possible holiday in Valletta, we will leave you with a list of links to help you organize your trip:

TRANSPORT:

ACCOMMODATION:

TOURIST OBJECTIVES AND OTHERS

Vacation in Europe, VALLETTA - 3 days in the stone city!