Things to do in Valletta: the bastions, the churches and the harbors
Valletta is a walled capital on a narrow peninsula between two harbors, small enough to cross in fifteen minutes on foot. Two days cover the sights. The one thing to know: the streets running down to the water are stepped, the summer sun is strong, and the middle of the day is for a museum or a ferry.
The short answer
- First trip
- Walk Republic Street end to end, see St John's Co-Cathedral and the Barrakka gardens, and cross the harbor by ferry.
- Where to stay
- Valletta itself for atmosphere, Sliema or Gżira for sea walks and restaurants, the Three Cities for a quieter harbor.
- How many days
- Two days for Valletta. Three or four if you add Gozo, Mdina and one beach day.
- Best time to go
- April to June and late September to October. July and August are hot, crowded and dry.
- Book ahead
- The Hypogeum, a good dinner table, and any Gozo or Comino boat trip in summer.
- From the airport
- Bus TD4 runs from the airport to Valletta in about half an hour. A taxi takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Where to stay in Valletta, in brief
Valletta
atmosphere on foot
Honey-colored streets, churches and views of both harbors, and everything is a walk. The catch is the steps, thin walls and late bars, so ask about lifts and the street.
Sliema and Gżira
sea walks and restaurants
Across Marsamxett Harbour, with a promenade, shops and a ferry to Valletta that takes about ten minutes. Busier and more modern, with more choice at lower prices.
St Julian's
evenings out
Bay restaurants and the Paceville clubs. Good for nightlife, less so for a quiet sleep.
The Three Cities
quiet and harbor views
Birgu and Senglea sit across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, with narrow lanes and few visitors in the evening. A ferry or bus takes you across.
Things to do in Valletta
St John's Co-Cathedral
A plain outside and a gilded inside, with a marble floor of knights' tombs and Caravaggio's Beheading of St John in the oratory. Allow an hour and a half.
Buy tickets online for peak months.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
A garden on the bastion with the best view of the Grand Harbour. The saluting battery fires at midday and in the late afternoon.
Republic Street and the lanes
The main street runs the length of the city. Walk it early, then take the cross streets that fall steeply to the water for the views.
The Grand Master's Palace
State rooms and an armoury in the seat of the knights' ruler, still used for government. A good use of a hot hour.
Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum
The fort at the tip of the peninsula that held out in the siege of 1565, with a museum of Malta's wars inside.
The Lascaris War Rooms
The tunnels under the bastions that served as the Allied command center in the Second World War. Short and atmospheric.
The Valletta to Sliema ferry
A ten-minute crossing of Marsamxett Harbour with a view of the bastions. Cheaper and more pleasant than the bus.
A harbor cruise or ferry to the Three Cities
Cross the Grand Harbour to Birgu and Senglea, walk the lanes and look back at Valletta from the water.
Casa Rocca Piccola
A noble family's palace on Republic Street, still lived in, with period rooms and the family's shelter under the house.
The Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni
An underground prehistoric temple complex in Paola, about 15 minutes from Valletta by car. Visitor numbers are tightly limited.
Several months ahead for summer.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Valletta can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Valletta, and which to pick- The Hypogeum2 to 4 months ahead
Only a small number of visitors are admitted each day, and summer slots go first.
- Boat trips to Comino and GozoA week ahead in July and August
Small boats and day tours fill early in high season, and the Blue Lagoon is crowded by mid-morning.
- Dinner at the better restaurants1 to 2 weeks ahead in season
Valletta has few tables for the number of visitors, and the best ones fill on weekends.
What to skip in Valletta
- Midday on Republic Street in July and August
It is hot and the street is full of cruise-ship groups. Visit a museum or take the ferry, and come back after 17:00.
- Restaurants with photo menus by the door
The setting is fine for a drink. For dinner, walk to a side street where the menu is in a short list.
- Fitting Gozo, Comino and Mdina into one day
Pick two at most. The ferry and the buses take most of the day.
Best time to visit Valletta
April to June and late September to October are the best months: warm, bright, and not yet or no longer crowded. The sea is swimmable from about June and stays warm into October.
July and August are hot and dry, with the city full of visitors. Winter is mild and can be wet and windy, and some boat trips and beach cafes close, but the churches and museums are quiet.
- From Malta International AirportBus TD4 runs from the airport to the bus terminus at the City Gate in about half an hour. A taxi takes 15 to 20 minutes. Do not take the TD1, which goes north.
- In VallettaWalk. The city is a grid of streets, some of them steps, and cars are restricted on the main streets. A lift connects the Upper Barrakka Gardens with the Grand Harbour waterfront.
- By ferryFerries cross Marsamxett Harbour to Sliema and the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities. They are quicker than the bus and give you the view.
- By busMost routes start at the City Gate terminus. Buy a ticket in the Tallinja app or pay by card on board, and allow extra time in summer traffic.
Valletta in three days
- Day 1
St John's Co-Cathedral at opening, then Republic Street, the Grand Master's Palace and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Dinner in a side street.
- Day 2
Fort St Elmo and the Lascaris War Rooms in the morning. Ferry across to the Three Cities in the afternoon and back at dusk.
- Day 3
A day trip to Mdina and Rabat, or by ferry to Gozo, with a swim on the way back.
Day trips from Valletta
- Mdina and RabatThe walled former capital, about 12 kilometers west and 40 to 60 minutes by bus. Quiet streets, a cathedral and views over the island; allow half a day.
- GozoThe smaller island north-west, reached by the Ċirkewwa ferry (about 25 minutes) or the fast ferry from Valletta. The Citadel in Victoria, Ramla Bay and the Dwejra coast fill a long day.
- Comino and the Blue LagoonA small, car-free island between Malta and Gozo, reached by boat from Ċirkewwa or Mġarr. Go early, because the lagoon is crowded from mid-morning in summer.
- MarsaxlokkA fishing village in the south-east with painted boats and a Sunday market. Allow half a day by bus.
Valletta: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Valletta?
Two days covers the sights inside the walls and a ferry crossing. Three or four lets you add Mdina, Gozo and a beach day. A fifth is only useful if you want to swim or hike.
Is Valletta worth visiting?
Yes. It is a compact, walkable baroque capital with an unusually dense set of churches, forts and harbor views. Go outside July and August if you can.
What is the best time to visit Valletta?
April to June and late September to October give warm, bright weather and fewer crowds than midsummer.
Is Valletta walkable?
Yes, and it takes about fifteen minutes to cross. The cross streets are steep and stepped, so wear flat shoes and expect to climb on the way back from the water.
Can you visit Valletta on a day trip?
You can, from elsewhere on the island or from a cruise ship, but you will see it at its busiest. One night lets you walk the streets after the groups have gone.
How do I get from the airport to Valletta?
Bus TD4 takes about half an hour to the City Gate terminus. A taxi takes 15 to 20 minutes and costs more.
Is it better to see Gozo or Mdina first?
Mdina is quicker and fits half a day. Gozo needs a full day, so keep it for when you have three or four days on the island.