Valletta

Background

Valletta stands on a peninsula on the east coast of Malta's main island, in the central Mediterranean, with the Grand Harbour to the east and Marsamxett Harbour to the west. It is the present capital, newly built in the 16th century, and a different city from Mdina, the former capital inland. With an administrative area of only 0.61 km², Valletta is the smallest capital in the EU and one of the southernmost capitals in Europe. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1980 as the “City of Valletta”; it has 320 monuments and is often called an “open-air museum”. It was European Capital of Culture in 2018. The main sights are all within walking distance on the peninsula: St John's Co-Cathedral (with Caravaggio's The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, 1608), the Grandmaster's Palace, the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens (overlooking the Grand Harbour), the Saluting Battery, Fort St Elmo, Republic Street, and the City Gate and Parliament House designed by Renzo Piano. After the Knights Hospitaller (Knights of St John) repelled the Ottoman army in the Great Siege of 1565, they laid the foundation stone of the new city on 28 March 1566, and it became the capital on 18 March 1571. The city is named after Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette. Laid out on a regular grid, it combines the character of a military fortress with that of a Baroque city, and also blends Mannerist, Neoclassical and modern architecture. Valletta was bombed during World War II and the Royal Opera House was destroyed; its site was later turned into an open-air performance venue. Malta became independent in 1964 and a republic in 1974, and Valletta has always remained the capital and seat of government. The official languages are Maltese and English, and English is widely used in daily life.

Local customs

• Walk along Republic Street from the City Gate to Fort St Elmo
• from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, look across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities (Senglea, Vittoriosa, Cospicua)
• visit St John's Co-Cathedral to see Caravaggio's original and the tombs of the Grand Masters
• take the ferry across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities and see Valletta's walls from the water
• in the evening, stroll the seafront promenade to see the walls and harbour lights.

Travel tips

• The whole city is walkable, but there are many slopes and steps, so wear comfortable shoes
• the summer sun is strong, so use sun protection and drink plenty of water
• the old stone pavements are slippery after rain. Opening arrangements for museums and churches follow on-site notices and official announcements.
• Buses on Malta's main island reach the Valletta terminus just outside the City Gate, and the city itself is best explored on foot
• ferries also cross the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities
• if you drive, park outside the city and walk in. For specific routes, fares and timetables, check the latest local official information. The Mediterranean climate makes Valletta a year-round destination: spring and autumn are mild and best for walking
• summer is hot and dry, with many visitors
• winter is mild and rainy, good for indoor visits and festivals.