About Valletta

Established in the 16th century at the intersection of the Grand Harbour to the east and  Marsamextt Harbour to the west coast of the Mediterranean, Valletta houses some amazing architectural marvels of Europe. The city has a blend of Baroque and Renaissance architectural styles. The city, listed under the world heritage sites by UNESCO, has shaded alleyways that connect grand squares with magnificent palazzi that sit beside shop facades hardly changed in centuries. The city was originally built for military and strategic operations but later turned into a fine showcase of Baroque decorative art. The beautiful interiors of St John's Cathedral are an exceptional example of the architecture. 

Magnificent sea views surround the city. There are many hiking trails and walkways to enjoy. Valletta is a small city with an area of less than 1 sq km and you can stroll across its widest point in less than 20 minutes. However, the magnificent Grand Harbour is the largest harbor in the Mediterranean. Apart from its rich cultural heritage, the city has its own modern charms. Valletta's new cafes, pubs, and restaurants have boosted its previous image as a sober sunspot. The city also has some extraordinary boutique resorts and self-catering accommodation choices that have attracted a more cultured crowd. Apart from that, there are a lot of outdoor activities you can enjoy such as sailing and cycling.

Public Transport System

One of the major advantages of visiting Valletta is a small area of the city and a well organized public transport system that consists of route buses. The main bus terminus is located just outside the city. The bus services are decent, serving major tourist areas and attractions. Bus trips can be planned using the website of Malta Public Transport. All you need to do is mention the pick and drop point to get the complete route options.

Cleanliness and Efficiency

Cleanliness: High, Efficiency: High

Mode & Cost of Transports

Tickets can be purchased from the Driver on all Buses. These tickets are for a single journey that can be used to get to any destination within two hours, including interchanging. Rates vary between summer and winter months. Summer rates apply between mid-June and mid-October.

Winter: Cost for an adult is €1.50

Summer: Cost for an adult is €2

Night service: Cost for an adult is €3

There are no discounts for children. Children under the age of four can travel for free.

You could opt for the local Tallinja card which is cost-savvy when you explore the city. It has special rates for children. You could log on their official website and get the best combo card depending on your needs. Prices vary according to the days selected.

Basic Items & Cost

Name Price
Water Bottle USD 1.04
Cup of Coffee USD 2.09
Milk Carton Pack USD 1.04
Rice/Kg USD 2.09
White Bread USD 1.04
Eggs (12) USD 3.13
Combo Meal USD 8.34
Fine Dining USD 60.47
Bottle of Coke or Pepsi USD 2.09
Domestic Beer USD 3.13
Imported Beer USD 3.13
Bottle of Wine USD 6.26
Cigarettes (20 Pack) USD 6.26
Taxi ( 1 km ) USD 2.09
Ticket in local transport (Single way). USD 2.09
Rent ( One Bed Room) USD 938.34

Do (s)

  • Plan to spend a day on Gozo, it is highly recommended to go on a jeep tour.
  • Try out the local delicacies like Lampuki pie, bigilla, pastizzi, and gassatat.
  • Explore the western side of the island, spend at least a day.
  • Take a ferry across Sliema from Valetta at sunset.

Don’t(s)

  • Just walk into the restaurant for dinner, make a prior reservation.
  • Completely rely on public transport, use freeways instead.
  • Visit the Game of Thrones site, it is not open to the public except on a specific day with prior reservation.
  • Forget to carry cash as you might need it for boat rides and street shopping, credit cards are usually not accepted here.

 

Night Life

A few years ago, the center of Valletta used to be very calm after the office workers and the commercial crowd left for the day. However, the pubs and fashionable bars have added vibrancy to the nightlife of Valletta. The area around Strait Street, which was once a red-light district full of sailors' bars, is now a hub for the city's exciting nightlife. Just underneath the city walls, the Valletta Waterfront also accommodates a number of restaurants and cafes. There are large open-air seating areas that face the harbor. If you want a great clubbing experience, then head to Paceville in St Julian (about 8km north of Valletta). This party destination is the hub of Malta's clubland, so get ready to explore nightclubs, strip clubs, bars, and restaurants.

Must See

  • Explore the Grand Master’s Palace, which houses the President of Malta, yet is open to the public.
  • If you love ducks, chicken, and geese then the seaside sanctuary at the duck village is a must see.
  • Want to know more in detail about Malta's history? The National Museum of Archaeology is the place to visit.
  • Delight your taste buds by eating at the Beati Paoli Restaurant,  Rubino and Dimitri Cafe.

Experiences

  • Take a boat ride from the Inland Sea at Dwejra for a spectacular view.
  • Spend a day shopping in the narrow streets and steep hills.
  • Take the traditional Maltese boat, called a dgħajsa, across the three cities from Valletta.
  • For a fabulous view of the island from the water, take a boat tour of the Blue Grotto on Western Malta.

Activities

Shopping

The Point
Shopping Malls
Tigne Point Sliema Island of Malta TP01 Malta
Distance From City Center
2.8 km
Sunday Fish Market
Flea Markets and Bazaars
Xatt is-Sajjieda 1 | Marsaxlokk Island of Malta
Distance From City Center
11.3 km
Souvenirs That Don't Suck
Antique Markets
108 Triq Manwel Dimech, Tas-Sliema, Malta
Distance From City Center
2.9 km
Que
Shopping Malls
50B Old Bakery Street, Valletta
Distance From City Center
550 m
The Plaza Commercial Centre
Shopping Malls
Bisazza Street Sliema Island of Malta
Distance From City Center
2.3 km
Embassy Shopping Complex
Shopping Malls
St. Lucia's Street, Il-Belt Valletta, Malta
Distance From City Center
450 m
Merchant Street Market
Flea Markets and Bazaars
Valletta Island of Malta
Distance From City Center
270 m
Wembley Store
Handicrafts and Souviners
305 Republic St, Valletta, Malta
Distance From City Center
230 m
Chocolate District
Handicrafts and Souviners
Chocolate District, Melita St, Valletta, Malta
Distance From City Center
650 m
Soap Cafe
Handicrafts and Souviners
SoapCafé, 65 San Duminku, Sliema, Malta
Distance From City Center
2.5 km
The Silversmiths Shop
Handicrafts and Souviners
The Silversmith's Shop, 218 Republic St, Valletta, Malta
Distance From City Center
110 m
J. Azzopardi Jewellers
Handicrafts and Souviners
J AZZOPARDI JEWELLERS, Malta, Valletta, Triq Santa Lucija VLT1188
Distance From City Center
450 m
Cekcik - Ethnic Vintage Bazaar
Handicrafts and Souviners
Ċekċik, 15 Melita St, Valletta, Malta
Distance From City Center
650 m
Mint Sparrow Vintage. Design. Art. Shop
Handicrafts and Souviners
Mint Sparrow, 120, St John's Street, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1511, Malta
Distance From City Center
550 m
  • Silver Filigree - Handcrafted by artisans across the island, most of the jewelry and gift shops stock some sort of filigree, but the best ones to look out for are those bearing the eight-pointed Maltese cross.
  • Flip-flop Key Rings - Cute and attractive key-rings created by local artisans.
  • Fishing Boat Magnets - Boat shaped magnets appear cool and give you nostalgic feel when stuck to your fridge. 
  • Knitwear - Handcrafted knitwear available at reasonable prices.
  • Stoneware - A souvenir from Bristow Potteries is a perfect gift you can buy yourself and your closed ones.
  • Maltese pickles from Ta’ Qali - Each piece is unique as it is handcrafted by artisans who not only blow the glass but shape it on their own.
  • Twistees - You can’t visit Malta without trying a packet of Twisties, a savory snack. 
  • Clothing Bags - a decent buy which really goes well with jeans.
  • Jewelry - beautiful hand made jewelry you only find in Valletta.
  • Bizzillia -  a form of lace using techniques dating back to the time of the Knights of St John.
  • Ganutell wire flowers - A traditional skill passed down from generation to generation, the creation of intricate flower-making using fine wires is as interesting to watch as it is to see the finished product. 

Official Language

Maltese

Other Language

English

Spoken Language

English

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Population

0.47 (Millions)

Weather Icon

Weather

Few Clouds 16.3°C

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TimeZone

15:40 PM (GMT +01:00)

 

Ambulance Icon

Ambulance

112

 

Police Icon

Police

112

 

Electric socket

Type G
Type G ( 230 V 50 Hz)
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Airport Name / IATA Code

Malta International Airport - MLA

Best time to visit

March, April, May, June, July, October:March, April, and May are usually the months when swimmers start heading to the beaches. You can witness a lot of festivals in April and May.November is warm and unlike other European countries, you can take a dip in the pool.

Moderate time to visit

November, December, January, and February: These are usually the coldest and wettest months of the year.

Worst time to visit

August and September: August and September are less busier and you can get good deals in Malta hotels, but beware of rains that cause floods in the low lying areas of Malta.

Taxi

Start Tariff: EUR 5.00

1 Km. Tariff: EUR 2.00

1 Hour Waiting Tariff: EUR 15.00

Available service

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Monthly Average Temperature & Rainfall

Local Services in Valletta (Contact directly)

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