Notte Bianca
A free all-night cultural event in Valletta on the first Saturday of October, filling the capital from 6pm to 6am with music, dance, theatre and art installations. Palaces and museums open their doors.
PlizioGo
A savory pie made with local mahi-mahi fish (in season during autumn). Best found in seafood spots down near the waterfront.
Malta's own bittersweet soft drink made from bitter oranges and extracts. Grab a cold one at any open-air piazza cafe.
Fresh daily catch tossed with pasta. Explore the pleasant side streets like Strait Street for authentic, cozy dining spots.
A bustling pedestrian street featuring a lively market and a mix of local and independent shops.
Delicate, traditional handcrafted jewelry. You'll find intricate pieces in artisan jewelry shops dotted across the city.
Visit early in the morning for a tranquil atmosphere and sweeping, postcard-great views of the Grand Harbour.
Located on top of the bastions on the west side, this quiet park has fantastic views of Marsamxett Harbour away from the crowds.
Water temperature…
A free all-night cultural event in Valletta on the first Saturday of October, filling the capital from 6pm to 6am with music, dance, theatre and art installations. Palaces and museums open their doors.
A centuries-old carnival in the days before Ash Wednesday, celebrated especially in Valletta and Floriana with allegorical floats, masked balls and parades. King Carnival leads the colourful processions.
St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta is a world-renowned masterpiece of High Baroque architecture and the spiritual heart of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Commissioned in 1572 by Grand Master Jean de la Cassière and designed by the military architect Girolamo Cassar, its severe, fortress-like exterior was intended to project the military resolve of the Knights of St. John. However, the interior is a dazzling contrast, transformed in the 17th century into a riot of gold and intricate carvings by the Calabrian artist Mattia Preti. The vaulted ceiling features a magnificent cycle of paintings depicting the life of John the Baptist, achieved with a 'di sotto in su' technique that creates a sense of immense height. One of the cathedral's most distinctive features is its floor, covered with over 400 multicolored marble tombstones that commemorate the Order's most prominent knights. The cathedral is perhaps most famous for housing Caravaggio’s largest and most significant work, 'The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist', located in the Oratory; it is uniquely the only work signed by the temperamental master. The structure includes eight chapels dedicated to the different 'langues' or administrative divisions of the Order, each competing in artistic splendor. Beyond its religious function, the cathedral serves as a repository for priceless Flemish tapestries based on designs by Rubens and a collection of choral books. Designated a Co-Cathedral to share equal status with St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina, it remains a primary destination for cultural tourism and a living place of worship, embodying the grand legacy of the Knights of Malta.
The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 16 |
| Rain mm | 74 | 65 | 51 | 33 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 63 | 82 | 95 | 82 |
Notable places around
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Your day starts at the modern City Gate, taking you deep into Valletta's history. The morning is dedicated to the rich past, from the prehistoric museum to the opulent cathedral of the Knights. At midday, you'll delve into the world of the Grandmasters before exploring the private life of nobility and the city's military might in the afternoon. The day concludes with a breathtaking panoramic view over the Grand Harbour as the sun sets.
Start your morning at the City Gate before ducking into the Archaeology Museum to escape the showers. At noon, the cathedral's grand interior serves as a perfect dry sanctuary. Spend the afternoon exploring the sheltered halls of the Grandmaster's Palace and Casa Rocca Piccola. End the day under the protective arches of Upper Barrakka Gardens for a misty harbor view.
Enjoy a crisp winter morning at the City Gate as the low sun hits the limestone walls. At noon, the cathedral offers a warm break from the cool breeze in the shaded alleys. Spend the afternoon in grand palaces, appreciating the history without the summer crowds. Be at Upper Barrakka Gardens by 17:00 to catch the stunning early golden hour sunset.
Your cycling day starts by picking up your (e-)bike and getting an initial panoramic view from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. You'll glide down to the Valletta Waterfront for a flat, scenic ride. The main part of the day is dedicated to the imposing Fort St. Elmo at the tip of the peninsula. In the afternoon, you'll cycle back into the heart of the city to admire the exterior of the historic Manoel Theatre and the famed Co-Cathedral before returning your bike.
Pick up your bike near the City Gate, checking brakes for the wet surfaces. At noon, cycle carefully to Barrakka Gardens for a sheltered view. Head down to the Waterfront in rain ponchos for a quick warm break. In the afternoon, navigate the puddles toward Fort St. Elmo before returning the bike.
Clear morning air makes for a perfect cycle along the bastion walls. At noon, soak up the winter sun at Barrakka Gardens before the breeze kicks in. The ride to the Waterfront is refreshing and uncrowded in the winter months. In the afternoon, explore the tip of the city near Fort St. Elmo in soft winter light.
With a car, you enjoy flexibility. You'll park in the morning and explore the upper part of Valletta on foot, including the museum and cathedral. At midday, you drive across the harbour to the historic Three Cities for a spectacular view back at Valletta and a relaxed lunch in Birgu. In the afternoon, you return to finish the day at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, catching the famous panorama at sunset.
Park outside the City Gate to avoid rainy traffic congestion. Spend the morning in the Archaeology Museum while it pours outside. At noon, the cathedral provides a grand dry stop. The drive to Birgu offers misty views of the Grand Harbour, ending with a warm lunch in a sheltered restaurant.
Morning parking near the City Gate is easier in winter. Enjoy the crisp light at the museum before warming up in the cathedral at noon. The drive to the Three Cities offers clear, long-distance sea views. After a long lunch in Birgu, head back to catch the early winter sunset from Valletta's bastions.
