Valletta, Malta — Activities
Valletta Culture
Arts, Music and Theater
Teatru Manoel
Valletta's cultural highlight is the Manoel Theater, which has been staging performances, on and off, since 1732. Recently refurbished to its glittering original glory, this little baroque gem is one of Europe's oldest theaters and is well worth a visit by night or day (open for guided tours, museum, caféé and restaurant). It has a wide-ranging repertoire encompassing all the classical performing arts and also stages occasional poetry, jazz, even rock and folk music concerts. Seat prices can be very cheap and each Wednesday a free lunchtime concert is given in one of its side rooms.
Old Theater Street
Tel: 2122 2618 (information) or 2124 6389 (booking office).
Website: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt
St James Cavalier Center for Creativity
Valletta's other cultural space, the St James Cavalier Center for Creativity, is by contrast relentlessly modern, albeit housed in the superbly renovated carcass of a 16th-century fortification built into the city walls. It promotes contemporary performing and visual arts with an emphasis on Maltese artists, though world cinema and classical theater and music performances are regular events.
Castille Place
Tel: 2122 3200.
Website: www.sjcav.org
Valletta Tours
Boat tours
Boat tours of Grand Harbour last around 90 minutes, and not only offer magnificent views of the capital but tell the story of the key moments in Malta's history, from the Great Siege through to WWII. Make sure the operator you choose has a live commentary and visits all of the creeks. Captain Morgan Cruises is recommended. By contrast, a visit to the beautiful (but often overcrowded) Blue Lagoon at Comino is a half day of sybaritic delights, usually comprising swimming and sunbathing. Tours of Grand Harbour and to the Blue Lagoon depart regularly from Sliema Ferries, a short bus or ferry ride from Valletta.
Another recommended boat tour is the Blue Grotto. You can do this part-independently by driving to Wied iz-Zurrieq, 8km (5 miles) west of Valletta, but the actual tour (25 minutes) is organized by the local fishermen and is strictly controlled.
Captain Morgan Cruises
Tel: 2346 3333.
Website: www.captainmorgan.com.mt
Bus tours
Malta Sightseeing offers a hop-on hop-off bus service with one route covering the north of Malta and the other covering the south; pay on board. The same company also offers 'Vintage Bus Sightseeing Tours of the Three Cities' through Supreme Travel. All buses depart from Sliema Ferries. Coach tours of the island are of the whistle-stop package tour variety and are not recommended.
Malta Sightseeing
Tel: 2169 4967.
Website www.maltasightseeing.com
Supreme Travel
Tel: 2169 4967.
Website: www.supremecoaches.com
