Valletta

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💡Valletta: Good to Know

 

🛂 Visa: Malta is part of the Schengen Zone, allowing visa-free entry for citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many others for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

 

✈️ Closest Airport: Malta International Airport (MLA)

 

💬 Language: Maltese and English are both official languages.

 

🏷️ Price Level: Moderate — Valletta offers good value compared to major Western European capitals

 

🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Malta: US$5.14

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💰 Currency: Euro (€) | 1 USD ≈ 0.92 EUR

 

☀️ Best Times to Visit: April to June and September to October — warm, sunny weather without the peak summer crowds.

 

🚘 Transportation: buses, ferries, and walking

 

🔌 Adapter: Malta uses Type G plugs (same as the UK). Travelers from North America or mainland Europe will need a plug adapter and possibly a voltage converter for some devices.

 

🛜 WiFi: Widely available in hotels, cafés, restaurants, and public squares through the city-provided “ MCAfreeWiFi”

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🏧💰 ATM & "Cash or Card": Credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are widely accepted, especially in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Some smaller vendors or local buses may prefer cash, so it’s good to carry some euros. ATMs are common and safe to use.

 

💸 Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory, but rounding up or leaving 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated. For taxis, rounding up the fare is customary.

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🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Pinto Wharf Valletta, FRN 1913, Malta (docked) 

 

 

✈️ 🚇 🚕 Getting There and Around

 

🎟️ Getting around Valletta is easy and enjoyable, especially on foot. The city is compact, walkable, and full of historic charm, with narrow streets, steep steps, and beautiful harbor views around every corner. Most major attractions, museums, and restaurants are within a 10–15 minute walk from the city gates.

For travel beyond Valletta, Malta’s public bus network is the main form of public transport and connects the capital to popular destinations like Mdina, Sliema, St. Julian’s, and the beaches in the north. Buses are affordable and frequent, though they can get crowded during peak hours or in summer. You can pay the driver in cash or use a Tallinja card (recommended for longer stays).

 

✈️ Malta International Airport (MLA) is located about 8 km (5 miles) from Valletta, making transfers quick and easy. The most convenient option for most travelers is to use a ride-hailing app like Bolt or eCabs, with fares typically ranging from 15–25 EUR, depending on the time of day and traffic. The ride takes about 15–20 minutes.

There’s also a direct airport bus service (routes X4, X1, and TD2) connecting the airport to Valletta and other key areas. Buses are affordable, with a single fare costing around 2–3 EUR, and run every 30–60 minutes, depending on the route and time of day. Travel time to Valletta is approximately 25–35 minutes.

Taxis are readily available at the airport, with fixed rates posted at the taxi stand — a standard fare to Valletta is usually around 20–25 EUR.

 

🚇  The Port of Valletta is located right next to the historic city center, making it one of the most convenient cruise ports in Europe. Most cruise ships dock at the Valletta Cruise Port in the Grand Harbour, just below the city’s fortified walls. From the terminal, it's about a 10–15 minute walk uphill to the City Gate, the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and Valletta’s main pedestrian streets.

For those who prefer not to walk, a Barrakka Lift (1 EUR per person, free on return) offers a quick and scenic ride from the port up to the city level, right near the gardens. Taxis and ride-hailing apps like eCabs and Bolt are also available at the terminal for getting to other destinations across the island, such as Mdina, Sliema, or the beaches in the north.

If you're heading to nearby towns like Sliema or the Three Cities, passenger ferries offer a fast, affordable, and scenic alternative to road transport. Overall, Valletta is extremely cruise-friendly, with many major attractions, cafés, museums, and shops located within walking distance of the port.

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🚌  City Sightseeing Malta operates two routes covering the immediate city as well as further destinations around town (more info here).

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⭐️ Top Sights in Valletta

​"Valletta is often considered one of the smallest capital cities in the world."

 

📸 St. John’s Co-Cathedral: A true Baroque masterpiece, this 16th-century cathedral was built by the Knights of St. John and is one of the most stunning churches in Europe. Behind its plain limestone exterior lies a gilded, ornate interior filled with intricate marble tombs, dramatic frescoes, and elaborate carvings. The highlight is Caravaggio’s iconic painting, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, displayed in a specially designed oratory. Be sure to look up — the ceiling artwork is as breathtaking as the floors.

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📸 Upper Barrakka Gardens: Perched atop Valletta’s bastions, this beautiful public garden offers panoramic views over the Grand Harbour, the Three Cities, and the docked cruise ships below. The main attraction is the noon-day gun salute at the Saluting Battery, a tradition carried out daily. It's also a peaceful spot to relax among fountains, statues, and shady trees — perfect for a break from sightseeing.

 

📸 Grandmaster’s Palace & Armoury: Once the official residence of the Grand Masters of the Knights of St. John, this imposing palace still serves as part of the office of the President of Malta. The Palace Armoury houses a vast collection of weapons, armor, and military relics from the 16th to 18th centuries, offering a fascinating glimpse into the island's knightly past. The palace interiors, including grand halls and tapestries, are also worth exploring when open to the public.

 

📸 National Museum of Archaeology: Located in a grand Baroque building along Republic Street, this museum showcases Malta’s prehistoric treasures, including artifacts from the Neolithic temples at Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, and Tarxien. Highlights include the famous "Sleeping Lady" figurine, carved stone altars, and tools dating back as far as 5000 BC. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient civilizations.

 

📸 MUŻA – The National Museum of Art: Housed in the Auberge d’Italie, one of Valletta’s original 16th-century inns for the Knights, MUŻA is Malta’s modern art museum with a focus on European and Maltese works. The collection spans centuries, blending classical paintings, religious art, and contemporary pieces. The museum also promotes sustainability and community storytelling, making it a uniquely local cultural experience.

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📸 Valletta Waterfront: These beautifully restored 18th-century warehouses, originally used by the Knights for cargo storage, are now home to a lively mix of restaurants, cafés, bars, and boutique shops. Located directly beside the cruise port, the area comes alive at sunset and on cruise days, offering scenic harbor views and outdoor dining with a Mediterranean flair.

 

📸 Lascaris War Rooms: Step into history at this secret underground complex, used as the British military command center during World War II. Hidden beneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the War Rooms played a vital role during the Siege of Malta and the Allied invasion of Sicily. Guided tours take you through original operations rooms, radar plotting maps, and fascinating wartime relics.

 

📸 Strait Street (The Gut): Once Valletta’s notorious red-light district, Strait Street (nicknamed “The Gut” by sailors) has been transformed into a hip and atmospheric alleyway full of quirky bars, hidden bistros, live music venues, and craft cocktail lounges. Its mix of old-world grit and new-world cool makes it a favorite for evening drinks or late-night wandering.

 

📸 Fort St. Elmo & National War Museum: Guarding the entrance to the Grand Harbour, Fort St. Elmo played a key role in both the Great Siege of 1565 and World War II. Inside, the National War Museum traces Malta’s military history from prehistoric times to the modern era, including a section dedicated to Malta’s George Cross awarded by King George VI. Don’t miss the rooftop views over the sea and harbor.

 

📸 The Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua): Across the Grand Harbour from Valletta lie these historic fortified towns, often considered more authentic and less touristy. Rich in history and character, Vittoriosa (Birgu) in particular is known for its marinas, palazzos, and quiet lanes. Easily reached by ferry or water taxi, the Three Cities offer a slower pace, with great views back toward Valletta’s skyline.

 

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🍽️😋 Regional Specialties

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Malta’s culinary traditions reflect the island’s rich and diverse history — a flavorful fusion of Mediterranean, Italian, Arabic, and British influences. The result is a rustic, hearty cuisine rooted in seasonal ingredients, local seafood, and home-style cooking. Whether you're dining at a family-run bistro in Valletta or grabbing a snack from a village bakery, Maltese food tells a story of the island’s culture and resilience.

 

🍽️ Pastizzi: Perhaps Malta’s most iconic street food, pastizzi are flaky, golden pastries typically filled with either ricotta cheese or mushy peas. Crispy, warm, and incredibly satisfying, they’re found in bakeries and cafés across the island — often for less than €1. Locals eat them for breakfast, as a snack, or anytime, really. Be warned: they’re addictive!

 

🍽️ Ftira: A traditional Maltese sourdough flatbread, ftira is typically sliced open and stuffed with tuna, capers, olives, tomatoes, onions, and drizzled with olive oil. Often enjoyed cold, it’s a favorite at beach picnics and casual lunches. Variations may include anchovies, pickled veggies, or even cheese — but always served with a bold, tangy Mediterranean flavor.

 

🍽️ Rabbit Stew (Fenek): The national dish of Malta, fenek is a slow-braised rabbit dish cooked with red wine, garlic, onions, and bay leaves, often served with roast potatoes or crusty bread. It’s a deeply flavorful, comforting meal that you’ll find in traditional restaurants and rural taverns. Many locals enjoy it as a Sunday family meal.

 

🍽️ Bragioli (Beef Olives): Despite the name, there are no olives in these! Bragioli are beef rolls stuffed with seasoned breadcrumbs, herbs, and minced meat, then simmered in a rich tomato and wine sauce. Hearty and satisfying, it’s classic Maltese comfort food, typically served with mashed potatoes or vegetables.

 

🍽️ Aljotta (Fish Soup): A garlicky, herby fish broth, aljotta is Malta’s answer to bouillabaisse. Made with fresh local fish, onions, tomatoes, rice, and parsley, it's a light yet deeply aromatic soup often served with lemon and bread. A staple during Lent and Holy Week, but delicious year-round.

 

🍽️ Lampuki Pie: When lampuki (dorado or mahi-mahi) is in season (roughly August to November), locals make this savory fish pie with a blend of spinach, olives, cauliflower, sultanas, and sometimes walnuts, all wrapped in pastry. It’s a delicious sweet-and-savory combination that reflects Maltese culinary creativity.

 

🍽️ Kapunata: Malta’s version of ratatouille, kapunata is a vegetable stew made with eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and capers — often served as a side or vegetarian main. The dish highlights Malta’s love for bold Mediterranean flavors and makes excellent use of local produce.

 

🍽️ Imqaret: These are deep-fried pastries filled with spiced dates, often scented with aniseed or orange blossom water. Served warm and crispy, they’re a popular street food found at markets and festivals — especially around holidays. Try them with a scoop of ice cream for an indulgent treat.

 

🥤 Kinnie: A uniquely Maltese soft drink with a bittersweet taste, Kinnie is made from bitter oranges, herbs, and aromatic spices. It’s one of those “love it or hate it” flavors — somewhere between cola, Aperol, and chinotto. Served chilled, it’s incredibly refreshing on a hot day and often paired with traditional snacks.

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📍🗺️  Maps, Apps & Links

 

🌐 Public Transport Map 

🌐 Free Walking Tours

🌐 Hop On Hop Off Bus

 

🚕 Bolt

🚕 eCabs