Sights and landmarks in Valletta

Sights and landmarks in Valletta

1. See

   City Gate

   Porta di terra

   The fifth incarnation of the main entrance to the city was built between 2011 and 2014 to design of the Italian architect Renzo Piano. The first gate on this site was built in 1569.

2. See

   Fort St. Elmo

   National War Museum

   Built at the tip of the peninsula by the knights after the Dragut Raid of 1551. During the Great Siege of 1565 the Turks made the mistake of choosing to first take this fort, for which they had planned a week. Instead, the knights and soldiers present fought desperately for a month, buying essential time. The knights in the fort knew they were fighting to the death, and so rather than being taken off the ramparts when wounded, knights would fight on seated in chairs until they couldn't even lift their arms anymore. Today, the fort houses the National War Museum and the Police Academy. The National War Museum is mainly focussed on World Wars 1 and 2, but covers the period from the Bronze Age onwards.

   Apr-Sep: daily 09:00-18:00; Oct-Mar: daily 09:00-17:00·€10

3. See

   Fortifications of Valletta

   The imposing defence walls and ramparts at the entrance to Valletta, built by the Knights in the late 16th century are interesting to explore.

4. See

   Hal Saflieni Hypogeum

   The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is a subterranean structure excavated c. 2500 BC. Thought to have been built as a sanctuary, it became a necropolis in prehistoric times. It is the only prehistoric underground temple in the world. To ensure its conservation, the site’s microclimate is strictly regulated. For this reason, the site is open to a maximum of 80 visitors each day. Each tour is limited to ten visitors. A tour of the site starts with a brief introductory exhibition and multilingual audio-visual film focusing on the temple building peoples and the Hypogeum’s relationship to Malta’s temple sites. Booking in advance on the Heritage Malta website is strongly advised. If unable to book in advance, tickets for tours the next day at 12:00 and 16:00 are sold at the Valletta Museum of Fine Arts the day prior. They are sold at a first come, first serve basis. Depending on the season, lining up prior to the opening of the museum is a necessity for purchasing tickets. Plan on lining up anywhere from half an hour to an hour and a half in advance to ensure ticket purchases.

   Eight tours are conducted daily, starting on the hour from 09:00 till 16:00 (last tour)·€35 in advance (€20 for seniors 60+), €50 for "last minute" tickets, if available

5. See

   Lascaris War Rooms

   Underground complex which was used as the British HQ during the defence of Malta in World War II.

   Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:30, last admission 16:00·Adult (16+) €20, senior €19, family (2 adults & 3 children under 16) €35, child (5-15) €7

6. See

   Palace of the Grand Masters

   Now it is the President's office and the Maltese parliament. The staterooms, when accessible, are quite impressive. It also houses the Knights' armoury, which is open to visitors daily from 09:00-17:00. (However, all other parts of the palace are closed to visitors, so what you can see is limited.) At the entrance, you can receive an audio guide, which is included in the entrance fee. It provides you with further historical information about the various armoury of different eras, beginning from the medieval chain mail up to the 17th-century armour.

   Jan Feb: daily 09:00-17:00; Mar-Dec: daily 10:00-18:00; (armoury sometimes closed for functions)·Adults €12, senior (60+) or youth (12-17) €10, child (6-11) €8

7. See

   Parliament House

   Malta Parliament building built between 2011 and 2015 at a cost of €90 million to a design by Renzo Piano. The building's design of two large stone blocks on stilts is controversial, but it has low emissions with solar panels on the roof. Public access to the building is restricted.

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   St Paul's Pro-Cathedral

   Anglican cathedral built in 1844, with memorials to the World War 2 defence of Malta.

   Daily 10:00 - 15:00

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   St. James Cavalier

   A fortress opposite the Auberge of Castille (today the Prime Minister's office) which was built as part of the elaborate defence systems of Valletta. Today it houses a 'Centre for Creativity', with its own theatre, cinema, music room and exhibition halls. Its twin, St. John Cavalier, is the embassy of the Knights of St. John, who are, like the Vatican, recognised by several countries as a sovereign entity.

10. See

    St. John's Co Cathedral

    Unremarkable from the outside, but incredibly ornate on the inside. Each of the different 'langues' (knights of a particular nationality had their own langue) has its own chapel lined along the side of the nave in which they tried to outdo each other in splendour. The barrel-shaped ceiling is a single, huge fresco, the lifework of famed artist Mattia Preti. The floor is entirely taken by the knight's graves intricately inlaid in marble in different colours. One book on the subject describes it as the 'most beautiful floor in the world.' This lesser-known cathedral is one of the most impressive in Europe. Entrance is through the Carappechia Annex on Republic Street, between St. John's Street and St. Lucy Street, directly opposite the Law Courts. An audioguide is included in the entrance fee, which provides detailed historical information.

    Mon-Sat 09:00-16:45, last entry 16:15; closed Sun and holidays·€15 for adults (includes an audio guide) — buy online to skip the queue for tickets

11. See

    Tarxien Temples

    This site, dating from 3600 to 2500 BC, is the most complex of all temple sites in Malta and consists of four megalithic structures.

    Daily 09:00-17:00, last admission 16:30·€6

12. See

    The Casa Rocca Piccola

    A Maltese noble family house on Triq ir-Republika, a few hundred metres past the Grand Master's Palace on the right-hand side. Very enjoyable.

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    The Malta Experience

    Despite not being cheap, visitors who have any interest in culture or history and who haven't exhaustively read up on the country before coming here would do well by starting their visit to Malta by going here, as it is an excellent introduction to the country. It gives an impression of major events that shaped the country, but as it's only 45 min long and meant for first-time visitors, don't expect a dry scholarly treatment of the subject.

    Shows hourly; Mon-Fri 11:00-16:00, Sat Sun 11:00-14:00·Adult €20, student with ID €15.50, child 5 - 11 years old €9

14. See

    The National Library

    Bibliotheca

    An evocative old library on Republic Square, next to the Grandmaster's Palace. Only part of it is open to the public: you will need to take a passport or other photo ID to get in. The entire archives of the Knights of St. John from the Crusades in the 11th century until 1798, when Napoleon took Malta, are kept here, in true Maltese style in rickety wooden filing cabinets.

15. See

    The National Museum of Archaeology

    Even though Malta has an impressive and unique ancient history, this museum, housed in the former Auberge de Provence in Republic Street can be rather a disappointment. The museum is partially being renovated, hopefully bringing something more worthy of its name.

    Daily 09:00-18:00 (17:00 in Jan, Feb)·€5.00

16. See

    The Sacra Infermeria

    Mediterranean Conference Centre

    The great hospital built by the knights in the 16th century was a hospital with the highest level of healthcare available in Europe at the time for men, both rich and poor, with non-contagious diseases (contagious disease patients were placed elsewhere, such as Manoel Island). Originally, it had two long corridors with private curtain-covered beds placed at an angle with ventilation holes leading to a courtyard garden filled with citrus trees and herbal plants. The top floors were mostly destroyed during World War II, including the upper ward. Since then, the courtyard garden was replaced with a 1400-seat theatre. In 1991, this theatre was used for reporters to receive and ask questions during the peace treaty signing between Gorbachev and George Bush Sr. Since its rebuilding, it now functions as a conference centre for large events, including G7 summits and extravagant weddings. It is rarely open to the public, though guided tour tickets can be purchased alongside The Malta Experience.

17. See

    The Upper Barrakka Gardens

    The gardens offer a jaw-dropping view of the Grand Harbour. Go on a sunny day and bring champagne!

18. See Not mapped

    Belfrey Tour

    takes you to a spectacular view of the cathedral from the gallery, and then up to the roof for okay views of the city. Timed tickets are available only at the cathedral; enquire when you go in.

    €5 extra

19. See Not mapped

    Works by Caravaggio

    Holds two works by Caravaggio, who was briefly himself a knight: the first one is the huge "Beheading of St. John the Baptist" (do not miss the explanatory light show up the staircase on your right), and the more modest Saint Jerome Writing, a more sophisticated version of an earlier work found at Rome's villa Borghese.

    included in cathedral admission

20. See

    Malta Postal Museum

    Museum run by Maltapost, including a working post office.

    Mon-Fri 10:00 - 16:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00·€5

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Valletta (CC BY-SA 4.0).