Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
St John's Co-Cathedral
Valletta, Malta
A plain stone exterior hides one of the most lavish baroque interiors in Europe.
City · Malta · Malta
Valletta
The tiny fortified capital, built by the Knights of St John, with baroque churches and harbour views.
about 5 h
For storytellers
Why Valletta matters
Valletta is a city of straight streets, honey-coloured stone and harbour views. The Knights of St John built it as a fortress after surviving a great siege, and it is packed with palaces, churches and bastions. Streets slope toward the sea, balconies hang over lanes and every corner seems to open onto water. It is small enough to see on foot in a day, but it is nicer to stay longer.
Talking points
- The whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- It was built after the Great Siege as a fortress capital.
- The streets run in a grid down to the sea.
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What to see in Valletta
Historic site · UNESCO
Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni
Valletta, Malta
An underground prehistoric temple carved into the rock, with chambers over several levels.
Garden
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Valletta, Malta
A terraced garden with a view across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities.
Palace
Grandmaster's Palace
Valletta, Malta
The knights' former palace, now holding state rooms and an armoury.
Castle
Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum
Valletta, Malta
A star-shaped fort at the tip of Valletta, key to the Great Siege and later wars.
Neighbourhood
Three Cities (Birgu)
Valletta, Malta
The old fortified towns across the harbour from Valletta, with quiet lanes and a marina.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.