Valletta

A historic gem by the sea

Malta’s capital, Valletta, stands on a peninsula shaped by history and sea. Founded in 1566 after the Great Siege, its stone streets hold centuries of stories from Knights Hospitaller to British rule. The city features grand baroque churches like St John’s with intricate interiors and views over harbors dotted with sailboats. Fortifications built for defense still circle parts of town. Local cafes serve espresso alongside pastizzi, a flaky snack filled with cheese or spinach. Valletta balances preservation with daily life as a living museum and modern capital.

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City in Malta

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

Read details

5/5

English is one of Malta’s official languages, and nearly everyone in Valletta speaks it fluently. Menus, signs, and tourist information are widely available in English.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Valletta Summary

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Strong in history and coastal views. Explore grand fortifications, visit baroque churches and museums, walk scenic harbor promenades and enjoy cafés in historic squares.

Place score

8.1

Best at:

Sea

Walkable

Historic sites

Guided tours

Spotless

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

❤️ 9

Couples

Malta – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type G Type G: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated. 5-10% in restaurants and rounding up in taxis is common.
Public drinking:	There is no general ban on drinking in public, but local restrictions may apply and drunken behaviour in public can be fined. Drinking outdoors is common during festivals.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in public indoor spaces but allowed in designated areas.

Feast of St. Paul (February)	Religious celebrations and closures.
Independence Day (September)	Events and parades.
Christmas (December)	Markets and religious observances.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps:	Bolt, eCabs, Uber
Other:	Malta is known for its rich history, stunning beaches, and friendly locals. Summers are hot.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Valletta, Malta

🌤️

Jan

☀️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	May - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March - April
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Carnival with parades in Valletta, February to early March

Rough seas and storms November to March can cancel ferries to Gozo and Comino

Don't miss

⛪ Tour St. John's Co-Cathedral’s stunning Baroque interior
🌿 Enjoy views from Upper Barrakka Gardens
🕵️ Visit the historic Lascaris War Rooms museum
🌊 Stroll along Valletta Waterfront’s vibrant promenade
🏰 Explore Casa Rocca Piccola, a noble family palace
🎭 Watch a performance at Manoel Theatre, Europe’s oldest

You've been here?

Why travel to Valletta?

Valletta is a treasure trove of history with its fortifications, baroque buildings and fascinating museums. The city is small but packed with things to see and do, from exploring historic sites to enjoying lively festivals. The vibrant cultural scene, combined with Malta’s beautiful Mediterranean setting, makes it a must-visit.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 National Museum of Archaeology
2 Saint John's Co-Cathedral
3 The Malta Experience
4 Fort Saint Elmo
5 Lascaris War Rooms
6 Grandmaster's Palace
7 Casa Rocca Piccola

🎡Places for activities

1 Saint George's Square
2 Manoel Theatre
3 Valletta Waterfront
4 Fort Saint Elmo – National War Museum

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Upper Barrakka Gardens
2 Manoel Island
3 Gardjola Gardens

🛍️Shopping

1 Republic Street
2 Valletta Food Market

🎈Events

Valletta Baroque Festival
Malta International Arts Festival
Notte Bianca
Carnival in Valletta
Malta Jazz Festival
Christmas in Valletta
Valletta Film Festival
The Feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck
Maltese Summer Fireworks Festival
St. John's Co-Cathedral Concerts

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Wear comfortable shoes; Valletta’s compact streets are steep and cobbled.
Plan time for Upper Barrakka Gardens and Grand Harbour views, then wander side streets with traditional balconies and quiet cafés.
Many museums and St John’s Co-Cathedral close relatively early, so check opening hours and pre-book tickets in high season.
Take the Upper Barrakka Lift to the waterfront, then ferry to the Three Cities for cheaper terraces, historic lanes and harbour panoramas.

How to travel to Valletta

Malta International Airport (MLA) is about 20 minutes from Valletta by car or bus. Valletta is also accessible by ferry from Sicily and nearby Maltese islands like Gozo.

Access summary

From Malta Airport (MLA): Direct public bus or taxi, about 15–30 minutes.
From Sliema/St Julian’s: Local buses to Valletta bus hub, usually 15–30 minutes.
From Gozo: Ferry via Mġarr then bus to Valletta, typically 1.5–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Valletta

Valletta offers boutique hotels, historic guesthouses and modern accommodations. Nearby areas like Sliema and St. Julian’s provide more options, including seaside resorts and budget stays.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

The Palace Hotel

9.0

Cavalieri Hotel Malta, a member of Radisson Individuals

H Hotel - Adults Only

InterContinental Malta By IHG

8.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Valletta

Valletta is very walkable, with most attractions within easy reach. Public buses connect Valletta to other parts of Malta. The Sliema Ferry offers a quick and scenic route across the harbor.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-6 %

Daily expenses in Valletta are around 6% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£62	£137	£375
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£60	£150
🍝 Food per day	£27	£66	£187
🚕 Transportation per day	£9	£10	£38

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£30
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£12.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£8.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£9.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£22
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.20

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£15
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£9

Safety information overview

General safety

Valletta is very safe for tourists, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply, such as keeping valuables secure and being aware in crowded areas.

Health & Medical

Healthcare in Malta is of a high standard, with both public and private hospitals. Pharmacies are common and English-speaking medical staff are widely available.

Accessibility

Valletta’s steep and narrow streets can be challenging for those with mobility issues. However, major attractions and public transportation are reasonably accessible.

Tap water

Tap water in Valletta is safe to use for brushing teeth and washing, but bottled water is recommended for drinking due to its taste and mineral content.