Valletta is one of Europe’s smallest and oldest capital cities, nestled on a picturesque promontory on the north-east facing coast of Malta. Hidden within its impressive fortified stone walls you will find thousands of years of history among charming narrow lanes, with every road leading to the Mediterranean Sea. In this itinerary, based on my own experiences, I will share the best way to spend one day in Valletta, packed with sightseeing, activities and local food.
Having visited Valletta several times, I particularly enjoy the city’s traditional Maltese food scene. To help you get to know it, I’ve included some personal recommendations in this itinerary on great places to eat throughout the day and what food you can try.
One day in Valletta is an ideal amount of time to explore this compact city, and if you are spending 3 days in Malta then it will fit neatly into your trip. I suggest exploring Valletta on your first day in Malta, as the city provides a great introduction to the nation’s history and way of life.
How to Move Around Valletta
Valletta is easy to get around by foot. All of the attractions are within reasonably close walking distance. It is only about a 15-minute walk from the Valletta City Gate to St Elmo’s Fort at the very far tip of the promontory, and everything else is situated between these two landmarks.
Valletta is also very easy to reach from most places around the main island of Malta. As the nation’s main transport hub, many bus routes intersect here, dropping off conveniently next to the City Gate. You can also reach Valletta easily by ferry from Sliema just across Marsamxett Harbour.
The Perfect One Day In Berlin Itinerary
Morning
This Valletta one-day itinerary begins with some sightseeing. I suggest starting with the classic landmarks along Republic Street, the main artery that runs through the centre of the city. I enjoyed exploring this area on my first trip to Valletta, as it really helps to get your bearings.
The magnificent St John’s Co-Cathedral is the city’s centrepiece and also an ideal starting point, located right next to my recommended spot for breakfast, Caffe Cordina. Then, take your time through the morning to slowly work back towards the City Gate, stopping to see landmarks like the Grandmaster Palace’s Courtyard, the National Archaeology Museum and the Parliament of Malta.
Before lunch, you will have time to stroll in the 17th-century colonnaded Upper Barrakka Gardens and see the daily firing of the cannons at noon. There’s also a chance to stop off at a hidden gem to try a traditional Maltese coffee.
Breakfast at Caffe Cordina
Valletta was one of the first places where coffee was introduced to Europe, more than 500 years ago, and it still has a thriving coffee scene today. Caffe Cordina is the oldest coffee shop still running in the city, first opened in 1837, and it’s also a great place to grab some breakfast.
Caffe Cordina opens at 7:30am every day of the week, so you can start bright and early. The pastries here are delicious. I love their pastizzi, which are traditional Maltese snacks made with filo pastry and filled with mushy peas or ricotta cheese. Locals often have pastizzi for breakfast, so it gives you a tasty and traditional way to start the day.
Morning Activities:
- See Valletta’s oldest balcony. As you leave Caffe Cordina, take a look across the road at the Grandmaster’s Palace, which is the official residence of the President of Malta. The dark green balcony that runs around the building was the very first balcony in Valletta.
- Visit St John’s Co-Cathedral. Built in the 16th century, this iconic building was the headquarters of the Order of St John, a group of knights who were defending the city from the Ottoman Empire at the time. The entrance fee is €15 to see the stunning interior and explore the collections. Allow 1–2 hours for this.
- Explore the National Museum of Archaeology. Set in a 16th-century Maltese mansion, the remarkable collections and ruin fragments here cover 8,000 years of Maltese history. I really enjoyed the special section on maritime archeology. The entrance fee is just €5 and it takes about an hour to browse.
- Stroll past the Parliament of Malta and Royal Opera House. Standing side by side, these are two of Valletta’s most striking buildings, both designed by the celebrated architect Renzo Piano. The original opera house was destroyed in World War II, but Piano’s design has transformed it into a beautiful open-air theatre.
- See the daily cannon fire from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Every day at noon and 4pm, eight giant cannons fire into the Grand Harbour from a Saluting Battery that sits just underneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Also take some time to wander around these 17th-century collonaded gardens. You should make it here in time for the midday firing, but you can come back later if you miss it.
- Have a traditional Maltese coffee at Café Micallef. This hidden gem is one of the only places where you can find a proper traditional Maltese coffee, which is infused with chicory, cloves and aniseed, giving it quite a festive flavour. You may need to ask for it especially if it’s not on the menu of the day, but the staff are lovely and will happily prepare one for you. The café is close to all the morning’s attractions, so you can pop in here any time you’re feeling thirsty and need a rest.
Lunch at Grano
When exploring Valletta I usually have lunch at one of the city’s sandwich bars. Grano is my personal favourite, as well as being somewhat of an institution among locals. Set on a narrow sloping lane, you can sit outside here and eat a classic Maltese sandwich made on traditional ftira bread. I recommend the spicy pulled chicken, accompanied with a bottle of Kinnie, a sweet Maltese non-alcoholic drink.
Afternoon
The afternoon of this itinerary for one day in Valletta has a bit of a slower pace with some time for shopping, sprinkled with a couple of fun and different activities.
Valletta’s traditional shops have been gradually disappearing in recent decades, but there are still many to explore. They are an important part of the city’s identity, and there have been local campaigns to keep old grocers and haberdasheries running. In the afternoon I suggest making some time to explore the diversity of shops and markets around St Lucia’s Street.
No visit to Valletta is complete without visiting St Elmo’s Fort at the tip of the promontory, which is also home to the National War Museum. Or, if you don’t want to see another museum, I suggest catching the Malta Experience, a 45-minute audiovisual show that depicts Maltese history.
Later on, there is also time to slow down and try some Maltese vintages at a fabulous little local wine bar I recommend.
Afternoon Activities
- Visit the National War Museum at St Elmo’s Fort. This imposing structure was built to defend the island around 450 years ago. For a €10 entrance fee you can explore the grounds and see a series of displays telling the stories of ancient conflicts through to World War II. Allow about an hour to explore here.
- Alternative: see the audiovisual show at the Malta Experience. Instead of the museum, you could choose to sit back and see 8,000 years of Maltese history unfold in this impressive audiovisual show. The ticket also includes a tour of La Sacra Infermeria, the old infirmary, afterwards. Lasting about 90 minutes total for the show and the tour, there probably won’t be time for both this and St Elmo’s Fort. You can click here to book your tickets in advance, which is very recommended especially if you only have one day in Valletta.
- Explore Malta’s traditional shops. Begin at Is-Suq Tal-Belt, also known as Valletta Food Market, a large renovated food hall filled with various specialist stalls. If you’re hungry, grab an afternoon snack here or a sweet treat. Then walk around the corner to St Lucia’s Street, where you will find rows and rows of independent jewelry shops. Keep exploring the back streets in this area and you will find many more local grocers and gift shops.
- Try Maltese wines at Ellul. A glass of Maltese wine is the perfect way to wind down after a day’s sightseeing, and definitely one of my personal favourite activities in Valletta! Head to Ellul, a charming boutique shop and wine bar at the very heart of the city. The owners here are very passionate about wine, and they gave me some great recommendations on which vintages to try.
Dinner at Cafe Jubilee
Every time I go back to Malta, I always have a dinner at Cafe Jubilee. It’s my favourite place for traditional Maltese food, and the prices are very reasonable, among the lowest of any restaurants in Valletta. The place has a bit of a retro vibe, with framed old posters on the deep green and yellow walls, and 60s pop music usually playing.
“Nanna’s ravioli” is the house signature dish, which is hearty, filling and full of flavour. If you want a starter, I recommend trying kuksu, a classic Maltese soup made with goat’s cheese and beans.
Valletta at Night
Valletta is a peaceful city that is not renowned for its nightlife. But that hasn’t always been the case. At the peak of the British Empire, the old pub road of Strada Stretta (or “Strait Street”) was one of the busiest nightlife spots in Europe, with a bit of a seedy reputation.
Today, everything has changed, but a handful of the old bars that once crammed along this street still remain. Head for a drink at Bar Carmen, one of the few original bars that has survived. It’s now a great little cocktail bar and the perfect place to begin a mini bar crawl along the street.
Spending the Night in Valletta
When visiting Malta I prefer to stay in the neighbourhood of Sliema, just across Marsamxett Harbour from Valletta. This area is a bit more laidback, has lower prices in general, and it’s just a short ferry ride into Valletta.
If you do want to stay in the capital, I recommend Casa Asti, a gorgeous hotel I’ve had the pleasure to visit. It is set inside a beautiful 17th-century Maltese townhouse right next to Upper Barrakka Gardens. You can check the latest rates by clicking this link.
Author’s Box: Alex is an award-nominated professional travel writer and magazine editor with over 20 years’ experience working in international communications. A fully trained journalist, he is the founder of two independent travel websites, and has travelled to over 50 countries around the world.
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