Valletta, Malta — Where to Go
Valletta Sightseeing Overview
Valletta was built by the Knights of St John just after the Great Siege of 1565, during which the vastly outnumbered knights turned back the might of the hitherto invincible Ottoman Empire and thus arguably saved Western Europe.
Riches poured into Malta from grateful courts across the continent and much of this went into constructing the new city. The Turks never returned but in 1942 Malta was at the center of world events once more due to its strategic importance to the Allies.
Once again, Valletta took a fearful pounding from a vastly superior force (this time the German Luftwaffe) but it held firm, and thus helped shape world events for a second time in its history.
The honey-colored streets of Valletta, with many buildings dating back several centuries, are a sight in themselves and wherever you look there is evidence of the Knights of St John - from their auberges (inns) to their hospital, their forts, their fortifications, their cathedral and greatest of all, the Grand Master’s Palace.
There are a number of exhibitions and ‘experiences’ reinterpreting the past, but the best way to get a handle on the history of Valletta is to take a boat trip around Grand Harbour and a guided tour of Fort St Elmo before visiting the Grand Master’s Palace.
WWII is covered in The National War Museum and the underground Lascaris War Rooms. The National Museum of Archaeology scrapes the surface of the distant past but to delve deeper you need to travel just out of the capital, most notably to the Hypogeum at Paola.
Valletta Tourist Information
VallettaTouristOffice
1 City Arcades
Tel: 2291 5440.
Website: www.visitmalta.com
There is also an office at the airport in the arrivals lounge. Both offices provide general tourist information and can assist with finding accommodation.
Key Attractions in Valletta, Malta
GrandMaster'sPalace
The Grand Master was the head of the Order of the Knights of St John, and a total of 21 incumbents lived in this sumptuous building from 1575 until 1798, when the island was surrendered to Napoleon and the Order disbanded. The Palace is now the Presidential Office and Malta's Parliament House, and welcomes visitors year round.
Republic Street
Tel: 2124 9349.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
StJohn'sCo-Cathedral
One of the largest and most spectacular churches in Europe, this 16th-century masterpiece boasts a spectacular floor laid almost entirely with some 400 marble tombstones dedicated to the Knights of St John, and flamboyant frescoes which cover the walls and tunnel-vaulted ceiling.
St John's Square
Tel: 2122 0536.
Website: www.stjohnscocathedral.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1630, Sat 0930-1230.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
FortStElmo
This small star-shaped fort is where the bloodiest, most epic battle of the Great Siege of Malta was fought and its history is brought to life by daily guided tours and the spectacular InGuardia costumed re-enactment which is staged weekly.
Mediterranean Street
The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum
The Hypogeum (the word means ‘underground chamber') is easily the most interesting and atmospheric of Malta's many famous prehistoric temples, and because of its excellent state of preservation, it is the key to understanding Malta's ancient temple culture.
Cemetery Street, Paola, 5km (3 miles) south of Valletta
Tel: 2182 5579.
Website: www.heritagemalta.org
Admission is by guided tour only, and must be reserved in advance.
UNESCO site: Y.
The Malta Experience
The best audio-visual show on the island, set in a historic building, offering an excellent introduction to the history and special sights of Malta and Gozo.
St Elmo Bastions, Mediterranean Street
Tel: 2124 3776.
Website: www.themaltaexperience.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1100-1600, Sat-Sun 1100-1300 (until 1400 Oct-Jun) - each show lasts 45 minutes and starts on the hour.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Further Distractions
Great Siege of Malta and the Knights of St John
Tableaux, touch screens, talking heads, videos and other special effects whisk you through the history of the Knights of St John, culminating in their finest hour during the Great Siege.
Republic Square
Tel: 2124 7300.
Website: www.greatsiege.com.mt
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Vittoriosa
The headquarters of the knights before neighboring Valletta was built, Vittoriosa today is a quiet atmospheric residential district retaining many historical landmarks open to the public, most notably the Old Naval Bakery (now the Maritime Museum) and the Inquisitor's Palace.
