10 Best… things to do in Valletta

Malta’s capital city Valletta is a popular destination for holidaymakers in Malta, as well as a great place to visit for a day if you are staying elsewhere on the island. There is plenty to see and do in Valletta but we have rounded up the 10 best things below for you to read through and help plan your visit.

St John’s Co-Cathedral

This is a beautiful cathedral with incredibly ornate decorations throughout the whole interior. There really is something to see everywhere you look! The history of the church is made interesting by the association with the knights of St John. Within the cathedral there are individual chapels for each nationality that supplied the knights. All of the chapels are decorated with beautiful artwork and statues in the nations efforts to outdo other nations!

Saluting Battery

Every day at noon the saluting battery features a re-enactment of two Victorian soldiers loading and firing the cannon. The ceremony has very informative commentary describing what is going on throughout the process.  It is well worth the 1 euro donation fee!

Lascaris War Rooms

A visit to Lascaris War Rooms will give you a real insight in to Malta’s air defence during the Second World War. The guides at the sight are extremely well informed and enthusiastic making it extremely worthwhile to take one of the tours.

The Mdina Dungeons

The dungeons at Mdina are a fascinating place to visit for those who are not to squeamish! The dungeons have lots of life size models and the moaning and groaning sound effects make it even more realistic! Perhaps not a place for small children!

A horse and carriage ride

This may seem too touristy for some, especially when the city can easily be seen on foot. However, it is a beautiful experience travelling around the city in this way and you will be charmed once again by the history of the city, winding around the back streets in your carriage.

Have a coffee in Piazza Regina

The Piazza Regina and St George square which is alongside it are a great place to sit and have a coffee amongst the old historical buildings watching the world go by.

Grand Master’s Palace

This is one of the finest buildings in Valletta and has elegant rooms to walk through with beautiful artwork and furnishings. The main courtyard is lined with suits of armour which are fascinating to see and every one is slightly different. This Grand Master’s Palace will particularly impress those with an interest in history and art.

Upper Barracca Gardens

At the Upper Barracca Gardens you will be treated to the best view in the city! The gardens overlook the Grand Harbour and The Three Cities. As well as the view there are beautifully landscaped Mediterranean gardens which have plenty of shaded seating and are sometimes a nice place to go to escape the bustle of the city.

Church of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck

This church is blissfully peaceful and quiet and is rather unassuming from the outside but there are some great things to see inside such as the relic of St Paul’s forearm and the pillar on which he was beheaded. The architecture is wonderful and it is free to visit!

Valletta Waterfront

Valletta Waterfront is a great place to take a long lunch or enjoy an evening meal at sunset. The setting is beautiful and you will never bore of the views out to sea.

Hopefully this has given you some ideas of what you can do in Vallatta! If you are looking for inspiration on what to do in other parts of the island then have a read of our things to do pages.