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Sunset

Golden Hour at the Gardens

Grab a bite, catch the light, and watch the harbour glow.

Best time: sunsetAbout 90 min

Timeline

  1. 18:45

    Caffe Cordina

    Pick up pastries and coffee at Caffe Cordina. It is a venerable spot perfect for a pre-sunset snack, and it is open until 19:00 in April, giving you plenty of time before the sun goes down.

  2. 19:00

    The Upper Barrakka Gardens

    Walk to The Upper Barrakka Gardens. The gardens offer a jaw-dropping view of the Grand Harbour. Find a spot facing west to catch the changing light.

  3. 19:35

    The Upper Barrakka Gardens

    Watch the sunset. In April, the sun sets toward the WNW at 19:35. The golden light starts about 19:00, so you will see the sky shift from bright gold to deep blue as the city lights begin to twinkle.

  4. 20:05

    The Submarine

    End your evening with a sandwich at The Submarine. It is just a short walk from the gardens and serves kind, good sandwiches. The Porchetta is sublime, and it is a humble, friendly place to wind down after the view.

Local tip

The walk from the gardens to The Submarine is short and easy. If you want to stay longer at the gardens, Caffe Cordina closes at 19:00, so ensure you finish your snack before then.

Check before you go

  • Caffe Cordina closes at 19:00 on April days. Go early enough to eat before it shuts.
  • The Upper Barrakka Gardens is a public space, but check if there are any temporary closures for events.

Worth knowing

  • Caffe Cordina is open at 18:45 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Valletta (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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