Malta: 8 places to see - Valletta to Grand Harbor
Explore Malta's capital Valletta, a fortress city built by the Knights of Malta in the 16th century. This Mediterranean destination features dramatic coastal cliffs, historic limestone architecture, and the iconic Co-Cathedral of St. John with its opulent interior and Caravaggio masterpiece.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Valletta
- End
- Grand Harbor
- Stops
- 8
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Valletta — Capital city of Malta, built as a fortress by the Knights of Malta in the 16th century, featuring grand limestone architecture and wooden balconies overlooking the Grand Harbor.
- Co-Cathedral of St. John
- Baraka Gardens — Neoclassical gardens built on a 16th-century bastion, offering panoramic views over the Grand Harbor and the Three Cities across the water.
- Birgu — Former capital of Malta and original base of the Knights of Malta, featuring stately limestone buildings and scenic harbor views overlooking Fort St. Angelo.
- Fort St. Angelo
- Med TV Offices — Former media production headquarters showcasing Malta's broadcasting history and cultural influence in the Mediterranean region.
- Mdina Fortified City
- Grand Harbor — Strategic Mediterranean harbor surrounded by fortified cities, historically used by the Knights of Malta and British navies, now a picturesque tourist destination.
Useful for your trip
- Food
- Try traditional Maltese pastries (pastizzi with ricotta or peas, and axata) at local cafes in Rabat, especially for breakfast. They are freshly made with crispy phyllo pastry.
- Food
- Eat traditional ftira sandwiches (tuna, beans, tomatoes, olives on hobz bread with oil) near the sea for the best experience, as locals recommend.
- Tip
- Visit Co-Cathedral of St. John in Valletta to see Caravaggio's largest painting (beheading of St. John the Baptist, painted in 1609) and eight lavishly decorated chapels representing the eight nations of the Knights.
- Tip
- Take a sunset boat ride on traditional wooden boats (now motor-assisted) from Valletta across Grand Harbor to Birgu to see views of the three cities.
- Tip
- Visit Baraka Gardens in Valletta (built in the 16th century on a bastion) for impressive views over Grand Harbor and the three cities (Birgu, Senglea, Trois Cities).
- Tip
- Explore Fort St. Angelo in Birgu to learn about the 1565 Great Siege of Malta when 8,000 soldiers and 700 knights defeated 40,000+ Ottoman forces after 4 months of fighting.
- Tip
- Walk through the wooden balconies of Valletta—they are enclosed, colorful, and unique to the city, reflecting influences from Arab, Italian, and Spanish cultures.
- Tip
- Visit Mdina, the fortified former capital of Malta, located 25 minutes inland at the top of Malta's highest hill. It has been inhabited since the Bronze Age.
- Timing
- Avoid visiting Malta in summer as temperatures reach 45°C (113°F), which is very hot. Locals note the weather is too intense during summer months.
- Transport
- Malta is small enough to travel from south to north in one day, making it easy to explore multiple cities and attractions in a short timeframe.
Video on this route
The Mediterranean’s Most UNDERRATED & BEAUTIFUL Country!! (Malta)