How to Spend 1 Day in Valletta

Valletta, the UNESCO-listed Maltese capital, may be small but it’s packed with attractions. This compactness means you can see plenty in a single day; attractions encompass Baroque architecture, natural attractions, and landmarks related to the legacy of the Knights of St. John. Here are a few ways to spend one day in Valletta.

Morning: Take in the City’s Sights

The cobbled streets of Valletta Old Town lend themselves well to wandering so a walking tour a great way to see the sights. Most tours cover landmarks such as St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the Auberge de Castille, the Church of St Paul's Shipwreck, and the opulent Grand Master’s Palace. Tours by Segway follow a similar itinerary but allow you to cover more ground in less time, while hop-on hop-off bus tours have the added benefit of allowing you to set your own itinerary and disembark at only the attractions that interest you. 

Afternoon: Get Out onto the Water

The small island of Malta is surrounded by calm, clear, and easily-accessible water, making an afternoon cruise a must. You can choose between a short cruise to the Grand Harbour and Three Cities—the collective name given to the ancient fortress cities of Senglea, Cospicua, and Vittoriosa— or a longer excursion to the unspoilt island of Comino and the Blue Lagoon; this option generally allows time for swimming and snorkeling, with some staying on the water until sunset.

Night: Soak Up the Atmosphere After Dark

A nighttime tour of Valletta, Mosta, and Mdina offers the opportunity to see three historic cities at their most atmospheric,. Most evening excursions include tickets to Malta 5D, a multimedia show about Maltese history and culture, and allow time to stroll through the car-free streets of Mdina, the former Maltese capital also known as the Silent City.

Alternatively, immerse yourself in traditional Maltese culture at a folklore dinner show or soak up the nightlife of Paceville and St. Julian’s by joining a bar crawl that reveals local haunts.