Destination Focus: Valletta
Beccy Miller
Despite being named the European Capital of Culture in 2018, Valletta remains under the radar, making it an excellent choice for people searching for a more relaxed city experience.
UNESCO-World Heritage Site
Valletta is one of the world's most unspoilt fortified cities. Founded by the Knights of St. John, it is a tiny 1 kilometre by 600 metres, which led to it being labelled "one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world" by UNESCO, who listed it in 1980.
In the 16th century, the Knights of St. John, a Catholic Military Order designed the city as a fortress to defend Christianity. In 1565, 700 knights plus 8000 local soldiers and townspeople overpowered 40,000 Ottoman invaders in a true underdog tale.
The Grand Harbour & City Walls
Despite being a small city, Valletta's Grand Harbour is the largest in the Mediterranean, which made it an important strategic location. The Saluting Battery sits across the harbour on the thick fortification walls. The cannons perched on top let off a gun salute every day at noon and tickets can be purchased to witness the ceremony.
The warehouses along the waterside which once housed goods arriving by into the harbour have now been transformed into restaurants and bars. Head down Republic avenue to see the city gate, which was refurbished and sweeps into a grand square with the impressive Triton fountain at its centre.
Must-see sights...
You could wander the streets of Valletta all day admiring the beautiful architecture, but the city has several must-see sights. The first of these is St. John's Co-Catherdral. It looks a bit like an imposing fortress, but wander in and you'll find a breathtaking example of baroque decor, which houses two Caravaggio paintings, one of which is his grandest, the portrayal of the execution of John The Baptist.
The Museum of Archaeology is also lavishly decorated, once a former hostel of the Knights of St. John and has local artefacts which date back over 5,500 years. The Grandmaster's Palace & Armoury is another opulent building, richly painted with pretty tiled, marbled floors. The best place to finish a day of sightseeing is the Upper & Lower Barrakka Gardens. These pretty parks are the perfect place to relax and unwind. The Upper Garden offers fantastic panoramic views of the harbour, whilst the lower garden is the best place to watch the sunset on one of the many benches, ideally located to do just that.
