Valletta, Malta’s historic and picturesque capital, offers stunning architecture, thousands of years of history, culture, and a blend of Mediterranean and Northern African food. I didn’t know what to expect before visiting and hadn’t heard much about it from friends or family. So many tourists stop by for a day during their Mediterranean cruise, but Valletta, and Malta in general have so much to offer. Wander through its charming streets lined with iconic colorful balconies and baroque-style buildings. Explore the city’s iconic fortifications and indulge in incredible food. Discover my top 10 highlights and must-do activities in Valletta, Malta.
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10 Must-Do Activities to Do in Valletta, Malta
To explore how to spend 7 days in Malta, including what to do and where to stay in Mdina, Rabat, Gozo, and Comino, make sure you check out this comprehensive guide to visiting Malta.
I highly recommend a guided tour of Valletta, to get the historical context of the sites. Here are my recommended tours:
1. Visit Upper & Lower Barrakka
Start your visit in Valletta by visiting the lovely Upper & Lower Barrakka Gardens. Located on the stunning waterfront, these gardens offer panoramic views of the Grand Harbour, Fort St. Elmo and the Three Cities of Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. Both offer beautiful views, and various historical monuments and sculptures. Additionally, if you’re interested in learning more about the history of the city, there are many plaques you can read while wandering around.
Located below the main terrace of the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the Saluting Battery is a restored historical site where cannons once fired salutes to visiting naval vessels. You can witness the daily firing of the cannons at 12:00 PM, but make sure you check the timing before visiting. TIP: you can also see/hear the cannons fire from across the way at Fort St. Angelo, which was pretty cool! The Upper Barrakka Gardens is also the entry to an elevator that takes you down to the water to a ferry that transfers you to the 3 cities.
If you’re hungry or need a cup of coffee, stop at the kiosk in Upper or Lower Barrakka, which both offer a variety of refreshments.
Entrance to the gardens is free.
2. Wander the streets & admire the colorful balconies
As you explore Valletta, take the time to wander through its charming streets and admire the colorful balconies. They are a defining characteristic of Maltese architecture and contribute to the unique visual aspect of the city. Interestingly, the origin of the Maltese balconies dates back to the 16th century! They are one of my favorite parts of exploring Valletta. Every street had different colored balconies. It’s striking against the sand-colored buildings. Besides the balconies, there is so much unique architecture, colorful shops, and views of the harbor to admire. Trust me, you’ll want to stop and take pictures on every street!
3. Explore the 3 Cities
Spend a day or a few hours exploring the charming Three Cities – Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. These historic towns are filled with narrow streets, stunning Baroque architecture, and picturesque views. Take a leisurely walk through the winding alleys, visit ancient churches, and soak in the rich maritime history of the area. I think this is one of the best things to do in Valletta, Malta!
Check out this tour: Malta: Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea Tour with Boat Trip
The best way to get to the 3 Cities is to take the elevator down to the ferry terminal from the inside of Upper Barrakka in Valletta. I know it sounds strange that you need to take an elevator,r but it’s a long way down to the waterfront and it only costs 1 Euro to take it up and down.
Hop on a ferry (schedule below, but make sure you always check their website ahead of time) and you will be there in 10 minutes. The cost of the ferry ride is around €2.80 one way and you can buy a ticket at the booth or on board. I recommend staying on the lower deck of the ferry to take photos of Valletta, and then moving to the top once you get closer to the 3 Cities to get photos of all the mega yachts and unique colorful architecture.
4. Visit Fort St. Angelo
While you’re walking around Vittoriosa (Birgu) stop at Fort St. Angelo, an incredible historic fortification.
Fort St. Angelo played a crucial role in Malta’s history, serving as a military stronghold and providing headquarters for various armies throughout the ages. Explore the fort’s impressive architecture, defensive walls, and secret passages. Then, visit the Chapel of St. Anne make sure to stop by the Maritime Museum to learn about Malta’s unique maritime history.
The fort offers panoramic views of the Grand Harbour and if you’re lucky you can see the cannons fire from Upper Barrakka. The entrance fee for adults is €10.
5. Coffee at Lot 61 Coffee Roasters
After a day of exploring, grab a table outside and check out this tiny coffee shop. They have incredible coffee and pastries. It’s a great spot to people-watch!
6. Have Lunch & a Drink at Grano on St Lucia Street
Lunch at Grano is a must-do activity in Valletta, Malta. This hidden gem is tucked away on St Lucia Street and is known for its incredible sandwiches made with fresh, local ingredients. The paninis are filled with fresh meats, cheeses and vegetables. Grab a table, a beer, and a delicious sandwich and take in the busy street. It can get very crowded so be prepared to wait in line to order, and to find a table.
If you’re into trying a variety of Maltese foods, I recommend this food walking tour: Street Food & Culture Walking tour
7. Take a tour of St. John’s Co-Cathedral
Built in the 16th century, St John’s Co-Cathedral served as a church for the Knights of St. John and is considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the world. It’s a must-do activity on your trip to Valletta, Malta. The interior is stunning… it is one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever been in. It’s covered in intricate carvings and beautiful artwork. It was commissioned by Grand Master Jean de la Cassiere in 1572 to serve as the church for the Order of the Knights of St. John. Additionally, the cathedral played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of the Knights and the Maltese people.
Generally, I recommend arriving early to avoid the crowds (for any tourist attraction!). If you decide to visit on your own, take the audio guide with you. It is a very detailed guide to every area in the church and all of its artifacts. The tickets are a bit pricey at €15 per person.
Check out this Valletta Walking Tour including a tour of the cathedral.
8. Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
This beautiful church is a significant religious site and features impressive architecture and breathtaking interior decorations. It’s worth stopping in to take a few photos!
9. Eat at one of Valletta’s amazing restaurants
Valletta has no shortage of incredible dining options and some of the best restaurants in Malta. Enjoying the food in Valletta, Malta is a must-do activity! There are many Maltese and Italian options. Our favorite spots were:
- Pasta at Zero Sei Trattoria Romana, ImPasta or Paustas
- Grana
- Da Pablo Trattoria Di Mare
- Sotto Pinsa Romana
- Pizzeria Regina
If you’re interested in trying Maltese cuisine, try local foods like pastizzi (pastry filled with ricotta or mashed peas), rabbit stew, and ftira (Maltese bread).
Make sure you add my detailed Valletta Map to your Google Maps. It has pins for all the locations mentioned in this guide.
10. Discover St. Elmo Fort
Fort St. Elmo is another historical site with cultural and military importance in Valletta. It played a crucial role in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565 and has had various upgrades over the centuries. To visit, you can easily access the fort in Valletta by walking to the very eastern tip of the city. Explore the grounds, visit the two chapels dedicated to St. Anne, and immerse yourself in Malta’s military history at the National War Museum located within the fort. The entrance fee is typically around €10 for adults.
Other things to do in Valletta:
- Enjoy a cocktail at The Little Red Door, Dopo, Kamy Cocktail Bar (they create art on your cocktail!), or the Bridge Bar
- Wander Strait St and stop for a beer – this is an old military nightspot with lots of bars and cafes
- Take the ferry to Sliema and wander the historic streets
- Indulge in gelato at Tiffany’s Gelateria
- Visit Grandmaster Palace which recently reopened & was the former residence if the Knights of Malta
- Take a boat tour of the Grand Harbour
- Discover Casa Rocca Piccola, the only privately owned palace open to the public in Valletta
- Take a tour with Underground Valletta and discover the city’s wartime history through its network of tunnels
Where to Stay in Valletta
Check out my detailed guide on how to spend 7 days in Malta, including where to stay. For Valletta, I highly recommend the Iniala Harbour House, a beautiful luxury hotel overlooking the Grand Harbor.
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