Valletta
The most impressive city in Malta is without a doubt Valletta. Its 55 hectares are home to more than 300 World Heritage-listed tourist monuments.
Valletta is the capital of Malta and the economic and administrative centre of the country. It's an important cultural and touristic centre, which is brimming with history and home to more than 300 monuments on its 55 hectares.
The architecture of the city is primarily of the Baroque style. One of the main symbols of the city is the curious colourful balconies which are present on the outside of buildings. The Maltese capital was carefully planned and built by the Knights of St. John, the oldest order in the world.
Touring the streets of Valletta, it's impossible to avoid the strong catholic character of the Maltese people. The capital is home to 25 churches and several sculptures of saints and virgins on the corners of the main streets.
Nowadays, Valletta is a must-visit location for cruise ships in the Mediterranean. The harbour has several loading docks and a cruise terminal which welcomes around 340 boats full of tourists.
Overall, Valletta is one of the best areas for accommodation while in Malta.
History
The history of Valletta dates back to the middle of the 16th century, when the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, Jean Parisot de la Valette promoted the building of a great walled city to defend the island from attackers.
When Charles V handed Malta over to the Knights of the Order, they settled in one of the Three Cities, Vittoriosa, from which they planned to build a great city. After the Great Siege of Malta, Valletta began to be built right next to the Great Harbour in 1556. Just years after this, the bastions, Fort Saint Elmo and St. John's Co-Cathedral were finished.
This new city gained importance at a rapid rate and people from all over the other islands began to move there to live and to be protected. Valletta was named the capital of Malta in 1570.
During the Second World War, German and Italian forces bombed Valletta, bringing a large part of the old town to the ground. The capital was rebuilt, and nowadays is an important centre of tourism and culture.
In 2016, Valletta turned 450 years old!
What to do in Valletta
Valletta is a must-see location if you find yourself in Malta. We recommend spending at least a day here. There are multiple tourist attractions in Valletta, such as the National Archaeological Museum and the Grandmaster's Palace.
The military and defensive aspect of Valletta has also left its mark on the architecture of the city. The Saint Elmo Fort is probably the best example of the importance of Valletta in the history of Malta. As well as this, each day at 12 pm and 4 pm, the cannons on top of the city walls are fired to pay homage to the past defenders of the city.
The Maltese capital is also the perfect location to follow in the footsteps of the Knights of the Order of Malta, who established several defensive structures around the city and practised their hospitaller work. Today, it's possible to visit the museum of The Knights Hospitaller and their tombs at St. John's Co-Cathedral.
Guided visit in English
To make the most of your visit to Valletta, the best option is to book a guided tour of the city in English. On our website, you can book your guided tour which includes a documentary about the history of Malta.
