Best Things to Do in Valletta, Malta in One Day

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Wondering what to do in Valletta, Malta? This article has got you covered for all the best things to do in Valletta in one day, from the top attractions and landmarks to the best museums, activities, and tours.

My 5 days in Malta, of course, had to include a visit to the beautiful capital of the country.

I tried to cover as much as possible of the Maltese islands, so I ended up spending only one day in Valletta.

This turned out to be just enough time to see and enjoy the tiny Maltese capital. Although I certainly wouldn’t have minded spending some extra days in this gem of a city!

Valletta was built in the 16^th century, when the Order of the Knights of St John, who ruled Malta at the time, ordered the construction of a new capital city for the country.

The Knights of Malta, led by the Grand Master La Valette, built a fortified city with a Renaissance urban plan, striking Baroque palaces, impressive churches, and great monuments.

Valletta’s rich history and architecture were recognized with the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Walking through the streets of Valletta is like stepping back in time to an era of knights and castles.

But the capital of Malta is also a vibrant and young city where modern life happens.

So without further ado, here are the best things to see in Valletta in 1 day.

Read more: 

• A Perfect 5 Days in Malta Itinerary
• Gozo Day Trip: Best Things to Do in Gozo Island, Malta
• Comino: How to Visit Malta’s Blue Lagoon

 

Things to do in Valletta in a day:

Take a dghajsa tour

My day exploring the Maltese capital started with a dghajsa ride between the Three Cities, where I’ve stayed, and the Grand Harbor of Valletta.

This is a great way to get to Valletta and admire the city from the water.

The dghajsa is the typical Maltese gondola, dating back to ancient times.

Today, only around a dozen of these original traditional boats survive. They are used as water taxis between Vittoriosa or Senglea, in the Three Cities, and Valletta, or for longer Grand Harbor sightseeing tours.

You can book your dghajsa tour here.

 

Enjoy the views from the Upper Barrakka Gardens

Once you get to the Valletta waterfront, take the lift up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Grand Harbor and the Three Cities.

Located on the highest point of Valletta’s city walls, the Upper Barrakka Gardens were originally built as a private garden for the Knights of St John.

Wandering around these pleasant gardens, you can find several monuments and sculptures, as well as a kiosk selling drinks.

 

Visit Valletta’s first church

From the Upper Barrakka Gardens, walk to the beautiful Castille Place, one of Valletta’s main squares.

Here you can’t miss the gorgeous Auberge de Castille.

A former auberge for the langue of Castile, León, and Portugal of the Knights of St John, this baroque-style palace is now the seat of the Prime-Minister of Malta.

Visits are not allowed, but you can still admire it from the outside.

Close by, you can visit the small but lovely Church of Our Lady of Victories.

Commissioned by the Grand Master La Valette itself, in the 16^th century, the Our Ladies of Victories Chapel was the first church and building of the new capital.

Its historic significance, as well as its beauty, makes it well worthy of a closer look.

 

Cross the Valletta City Gate

The next stop on your Valletta sightseeing itinerary is the City Gate.

As a fortified city, Valletta has seen a total of 5 gates on this same spot over the centuries.

The current, modern gate, built between 2011 and 2014, was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano as part of a larger renovation project for the area that included the new Parliament building and the rehabilitation of the Royal Opera House ruins.

Outside the Valletta City Gate, you can also admire the modernist Triton Fountain.

 

Admire Malta’s new parliament building

Malta’s Parliament House is a spectacular modern building designed by Renzo Piano and inaugurated in 2015 in Freedom Square, near the City Gate.

This contemporary work of architecture has spawned controversy, as it’s often the case with modern projects everywhere, but I personally loved it.

Right next to the new parliament building, you find the Pjazza Teatru Rjal or Royal Theatre Square.

Here, the ruins of the old Royal Opera House, which was severely bombed during World War II, were converted by Renzo Piano into an open-air theatre.

The square is especially beautiful when lit at night.

 

Watch the Saluting Battery Ceremony

Before noon, head back to the Upper Barrakka Gardens to watch the Saluting Battery Ceremony.

The ceremony starts at 12 sharp, but make sure to come at least 20 minutes before to get a good spot as it can get very crowded.

The Saluting Battery Ceremony takes place at the lower tier of St. Peter & Paul Bastion, beneath the gardens viewing gallery.

Valletta’s Saluting Battery dates back to the 16^th century and was used for military and ceremonial purposes like state events or religious festivities, as well as to signal the hour.

Today, the ceremony is one of Valletta’s top attractions.

I’ve watched it for free from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, but it’s also possible to buy tickets to the Saluting Battery platform here, if you’d like to see it from a little closer.

 

Have lunch at MUZA

For lunch, I recommend the Malta Art Museum restaurant, right in the center of the city.

Besides the beautiful setting of the interior terrace, I absolutely loved their art-inspired menu.

I had the beef tagliata and my boyfriend the rabbit, the national Maltese dish. Both were delicious and exquisitely presented!

 

Join a Valletta walking tour

In the afternoon, I recommend taking a walking tour to learn more about the city’s history and its most important landmarks.

This Valletta walking tour with an expert guide covers the history of the Maltese capital, its main monuments, streets, and squares, as well as some hidden gems.

If you’d prefer to explore Valletta like a resident, this private insider walking tour will let you in on all the city’s best-kept secrets and inside tips and tricks.

 

Visit St John’s Co-Cathedral

The huge and impressive St John’s Co-Cathedral was built between 1572 and 1577 as the new conventual church of the Knights of St John.

Do not be fooled by its modest outward appearance.

Its high Baroque interior, redecorated in the 17^th century, is considered one of the finest in Europe and is surely one of the most extraordinary I’ve ever seen!

The Knights intended to build a majestic cathedral inspired by St Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican, and really spared no means to do so.

Today, the church shares the title of cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Malta with St Paul’s Cathedral, the first cathedral of the country located in the old capital Mdina.

Surprisingly, St John’s Co-Cathedral is also home to the only 2 signed Caravaggio masterpieces in the world.

The famous Italian artist fled to Malta in 1606, after allegedly murdering a man in Rome. He lived on the island for a short period, during which he painted several works of art commissioned by the Knights of St John.

The most significant of these works are the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Jerome Writing, both of which are on display at St John’s Co-Cathedral and are the only signed paintings by the artist.

In 2020, the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation plans to inaugurate a new Caravaggio Wing dedicated to the relationship of the Italian master with Malta and the history of the 2 paintings.

 

Explore the museums

Spend the rest of the day exploring some of the many Valletta museums.

I suggest choosing a maximum of 1 or 2 museums from the list below, so you have enough time to appreciate your visit.

Here are some of the best museums in the Maltese capital:

 

Casa Rocca Piccola

Casa Rocca Piccola is one of the last private lived-in palaces in Valletta today.

This 16th-century palace has been home to the Maltese noble family De Piro for more than 200 years.

The house is now open to the public, offering daily guided tours of many of the living areas, including 2 World War II bomb shelters.

I must say this was not the most spectacular or best-preserved palace I’ve ever visited though.

Despite some incredible pieces of furniture and works of art, most of the house looks like it could use some renovation.

 

Grand Master’s Palace

Built between the 16^th and 18^th centuries, the Grand Master’s Palace was, as its name suggests, the official residence of the grandmasters of the Knights of Malta.

Later, under the British, it became the Governor’s Palace. Today, it serves as the seat of the President of Malta. It was also used as the House of the Parliament until the construction of the new parliament building.

The State Rooms and Armory are open to the public and display a rich collection of works of art and one of the largest armories in the world.

As the office of the Maltese President, some of the State Rooms may be occasionally closed. Unfortunately for me, that was the case during my time in Malta, so I ended up not seeing this palace. But it’s certainly on my list for a next visit.

 

MUZA National Museum of Art

Malta’s new National Museum of Art, or MUZA for short, was inaugurated in 2018, under Valletta’s year as European Capital of Culture.

Set in a historic palace in the center of the Maltese capital, this modern and interactive museum displays a significant collection of visual artworks, from old masters like Mattia Preti to contemporary Maltese artists like Antonio Sciortino.

 

National Museum of Archeology

History buffs can’t miss the National Museum of Archeology’s impressive collection of prehistoric artifacts found on Malta’s megalithic temples and other prehistoric locations around the country.

The museum is housed at the Auberge de Provence, a beautiful baroque-style palace in the center of Valletta.

 

National War Museum & Fort St Elmo

One of the most visited museums in Malta, the National War Museum is located inside the historic Fort St Elmo, which is worthy of a visit in its own right.

The museum tells the military history of Malta from the Bronze Age to World War II and, more recently, the country’s entry into the European Union.

 

Stroll along Republic and Merchant Streets

End your day with a stroll along Republic Street and Merchant Street, the 2 main commercial arteries in Valletta and a paradise for foodies and shoppers alike.

The pedestrian Republic Street is Valletta’s main street and one of the liveliest in the city.

Along almost 1 kilometer, stretching from the City Gate to Fort St Elmo, you can find some of the most important landmarks and squares in the Maltese capital, as well as many shops, street vendors, restaurants, and cafés.

Running parallel to the main artery, Merchant Street is a great place to shop for souvenirs or have dinner in one of its many alfresco restaurants.

 

Enjoy Valletta’s nightlife

After dinner, explore Valletta’s eclectic nightlife.

A former red-light district during the British presence on the island, Strait Street is the oldest and most famous nightlife hub in the capital of Malta.

Today, Strait Street is still home to many bars, restaurants, and live music.

But new pubs, cafés, and wine or jazz bars are popping up all around the city.

On my last evening in Malta, we had a drink at St Lucy Street, one of the most picturesque streets in Valletta, with a handful of cool, laid-back bars.

 

If 24 hours in the Maltese capital is all you have, this list of the best things to do in Valletta in one day has got you covered. From traditional boat tours to stunning palaces, from delicious food to great shopping, follow these suggestions of what to see in Valletta for a perfect day in the city.

 

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More travel tips

Travel Insurance

SafetyWing – Travel insurance is very important and you should never leave home without it! I use and recommend SafetyWing travel medical insurance for travelers, remote workers, and nomads.

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You can subscribe online here for a minimum of 5 days to a maximum of 364 days, or opt for a monthly subscription instead.

 

Cheap flights

Looking for the best airfare deals? Skyscanner is my favorite travel search engine for finding cheap flights around the world. They also offer price tracking and alerts to help you secure the best deals.

 

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation, Booking.com is the best site out there. From hotels to apartments, resorts, villas, B&B, and guest houses, it offers the best prices for accommodation all over the world. I book the vast majority of my stays through them.

 

Yoga Retreats

Looking for a yoga retreat near home or in an exotic destination? BookYogaRetreats offers the best yoga retreats, holidays, and courses around the world for all budgets and levels of experience.

 

Tours

GetYourGuide is my favorite platform for local tours, unique experiences, and skip-the-line tickets to attractions all around the world.

Klook is another great resource for tours and activities, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Asia.

 

Car Rentals

Booking.com has a car rental search engine that compares the biggest brands in car hire and allows you to find the cheapest deals all around the world.

 

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* I was a guest of Visit Malta during my time in the country. As always, all opinions are my own.

 

Have you been to Valletta? What would you add to this list of the best things to see in Valletta? Share in the comments section below!

 

Read more:

• A Perfect 5 Days in Malta Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Malta: Boco Boutique Hotel

 

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