What to do in Valletta? The 10 must-see sights in Malta’s capital

Malta is famous for the churches and chapels scattered across the archipelago. A popular saying goes that in Malta you can pray in a different church for every day of the year. Among all the island’s religious buildings, St John’s Co-Cathedral is the most iconic and an essential visit for anyone in Valletta.

St John’s Co-Cathedral is part of the national heritage of the small island state. It was built between 1573 and 1577 under the grand mastership of Jean L’Evesque de La Cassière. Don’t be put off by the cathedral’s austere façade; to experience the site’s magic you need to step through the door and discover an exceptional monument.

The marble floor is made up of commemorative slabs (cenotaphs) honouring 405 Knights of the Order of Malta. The cathedral and its magnificent Baroque décor also contain a crypt with the tombs of grand masters who shaped the Order. The tombs of Philippe de Villiers de L’Isle-Adam and Jean de Valette are here. An oratory inside the Co-Cathedral also preserves Caravaggio’s masterpiece, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.

Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 09:00–16:45; closed on Sundays and public holidays. Admission to St John’s Co-Cathedral costs €15 for adults and is free for children under 12. It’s best to visit at opening time in the morning or mid-afternoon to avoid the many guided tours.

The Grand Master’s Palace, which served as the official residence of 21 Grand Masters during the era of the Order of Malta, is remarkable not only for its history but also for its size. With a rectangular layout, the palace measures 97 metres long by 83 metres wide, making it the largest building in Valletta by surface area.

Today, the Grand Master’s Palace houses the Office of the President of Malta and is also home to the Maltese Parliament. Parts of the palace are open to the public, including several rooms that hold important collections of armour, tapestries and artworks from the Knights of St John period.

The Palace Armoury stands out as one of the most impressive in the world, set in what were once the palace stables. This unique collection contains about 7,000 items, including armour worn by high-ranking knights and specially made for their horses. Visitors can also admire parade armour, war trophies, ceremonial swords, cannons and other artefacts.

The centrepiece of the collection is the gold-inlaid parade armour of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt—a must-see for anyone fascinated by the chivalric era.

The Grand Master’s Palace is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. Admission is €12 for adults (18+), €10 for youths (12–17) and seniors (60+), €8 for children (6–11), and free for toddlers (1–5).

Valletta is home to the Barrakka Gardens, divided into two levels: the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the Lower Barrakka Gardens. The Upper Barrakka Gardens were laid out in the 16^th century by the Knights of St John as a place of relaxation for the knights, and were opened to the public in the 19^th century.

The gardens offer visitors a stunning panoramic view over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities — Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea (L-Isla) and Cospicua (Bormla) — making them a must-see in Valletta.

One of the most interesting features of the Barrakka Gardens is the Saluting Battery, an old artillery platform dating from the 16^th century. In the past, this historic site was used to defend the city against possible enemy attacks and to fire ceremonial salutes in honour of visiting dignitaries.

The gardens are open to the public daily and entry is free. Visitors can also watch the traditional cannon-firing ceremony that takes place every day at noon and at 16:00.

🚶‍♀️ From the viewpoints you can take the Barrakka Lift for €1 to reach the waterfront and the ferry shuttles to the Three Cities.

The National Museum of Archaeology is housed in the Auberge de Provence, a magnificent example of the Baroque style that flourished in Malta during the Knights of St John. The museum holds artefacts ranging from prehistory to the Phoenician period, along with an important numismatic collection.

One of the museum’s most remarkable pieces is the “Sleeping Lady”, a prehistoric statue of a female figure thought to represent a fertility goddess. This sculpture bears witness to the artistic skill and creativity of Malta’s ancient civilisations.

Admission fees are as follows: adults (18+): €5.00; youths (12–17), students and seniors (60+): €3.50; children (6–11): €2.50; toddlers (1–5): free. Open Monday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00.

⛪ For archaeology enthusiasts, it’s essential to combine the museum with the temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum — three outstanding Neolithic sites that rank among Malta’s must-see attractions.

Casa Rocca Piccola was built in 1580 by the Maltese nobleman Don Pietro La Rocca. Since then it has been home to several generations of the La Rocca family and, more recently, to descendants of Maltese nobility, the Marquises de Piro.

Inside Casa Rocca Piccola you’ll find an impressive collection of art, antique furniture, textiles and period objects that tell the story and way of life of its illustrious residents over the centuries. Casa Rocca Piccola also features an intriguing network of underground tunnels dating from the Second World War, used by the family as air-raid shelters during the bombings.

Most of the palace serves as a private museum and is a popular tourist attraction in Valletta, but some rooms have been restored to offer accommodation for discerning travellers visiting the city.

Casa Rocca Piccola is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00–17:00. Admission is €9.50 for adults, €6 for students (including university students) and free for children under 14.

🏡 Looking for an extraordinary experience? We suggest you spend the night at Casa Rocca Piccola , a unique Bed & Breakfast stay in one of the most iconic palaces in Valletta.

The Teatru Manoel is Malta’s national theatre and home to the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra — a must-see venue. Built in 1731, it is the third-oldest theatre in Europe. Despite its discreet façade, it hides a fascinating history linked to the Order of Malta. Once the Ottoman threat had receded, Valletta transformed into a lively, festive city; Teatru Manoel was among the first buildings erected to meet this new demand for entertainment.

Today, Teatru Manoel remains a vibrant venue. You can visit the wooden boxes decorated with gold leaf and soak up the venue’s magic, but the ideal experience is to attend a live performance and feel all the emotion this historic theatre has to offer.

Guided tours of the national theatre are available Monday to Friday at 11:00 and 15:00, and Saturday at 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30. The tour costs just €5 and lasts 30–40 minutes.

Fort Saint Elmo has witnessed many conflicts throughout its history. One of the most significant events was during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, when it bravely withstood Ottoman attacks for months before falling. This battle is considered a crucial moment in Malta’s history and in the struggle against Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean.

Construction of Fort Saint Elmo began in 1552 under Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Valette, founder of Valletta. It was designed by the Italian military architect Francesco Laparelli and completed in 1565.

Valletta’s fortifications were built after the Great Siege, which makes Fort Saint Elmo one of the oldest buildings in the fortified city.

Entry fees are €10.00 for adults, €7.50 for youths and seniors (60+), and €5.50 for children (6–11); toddlers (1–5) enter free. The fort is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.

📸 From Fort Saint Elmo’s eastern platform you can see Comino’s coast and its famous Blue Lagoon on a clear day.

The Auberge d'Italie, originally built as a residence for the Italian knights of the Order of St John, has been transformed into a space housing an impressive collection of Maltese and international art. The museum presents a wide variety of works ranging from antiquity to contemporary times, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts and much more.

The National Museum of Fine Arts has seasonal opening hours: in January and February it is open Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30); from March to December it is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30), except Tuesday when it is closed. Admission prices are €10.00 for adults (18–59), €7.50 for youths (12–17), seniors (60+), concessions and students, €5.50 for children (6–11), and free for toddlers (1–5).

Republic Street, also known as "Triq ir-Repubblika", is the main artery running through the heart of Valletta, Malta’s capital. This iconic street is not only the nerve centre of activity in Valletta but also a vibrant symbol of Malta’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Walking along Republic Street is like taking a journey back in time. There are numerous shops, cafés and interesting places along the way. You can see historic buildings such as the Grand Master’s Palace and St John’s Co-Cathedral, which tell stories about Malta and its people. It’s like an open-air museum where you can learn a great deal about the island’s history and culture as you stroll.

Republic Street is Valletta’s main avenue, but many other picturesque streets and alleys are full of fascinating stories and treasures. To unlock the secrets of the Maltese capital and travel through the centuries, we highly recommend joining a guided tour with a local guide. It’s an unmissable experience for fully grasping the soul of Valletta!

Although not strictly part of Valletta, a visit to the Three Cities is a must and is often conveniently combined with a day in the capital. Malta’s three cities are Cospicua (Bormla), Senglea (L-Isla) and Vittoriosa (Il-Birgu) — fortified towns located on the eastern side of the Grand Harbour and considered a historical treasure worth exploring.

Vittoriosa, also known as Birgu, is the oldest and offers iconic sites such as the Fortress of Saint Angelo and the Maritime Museum. Senglea, also called Isla, is distinguished by its majestic church, its picturesque promenade and the charming Gardjola Gardens. Finally, Cospicua, known as Bormla, is the largest and boasts a rich naval history, with attractions such as the Second World War Museum and the photogenic Jardins des Recoins.

You can easily reach the Three Cities from Valletta by ferry, departing from the Barrakka Gardens area. The journey takes about 15 minutes, giving you the chance to enjoy unique panoramic views of the coastline and Valletta from the sea. Valletta Ferries fares are €2.00 for adults for a one-way daytime trip and €3.80 for a return; children’s fares are €1.00 and €1.50 respectively.