Valletta

Photograph by Anas Morsali, taken during his own trip

Valletta, Malta's capital city built by the Knights of St. John after the Great Siege of 1565, is a masterpiece of baroque architecture and urban planning, and one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Every street in this UNESCO World Heritage city, laid out on a grid pattern across a narrow peninsula between two natural harbours, reveals honey-coloured limestone buildings adorned with ornate wooden balconies painted in vivid greens, reds, and blues. St. John's Co-Cathedral, outwardly austere but internally one of the most lavishly decorated churches in Europe, houses Caravaggio's largest painting — 'The Beheading of St. John the Baptist.' The Grandmaster's Palace, once the seat of the Knights' power, now serves as the office of Malta's President. The Upper Barrakka Gardens offer sweeping views across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities, with a daily cannon salute at noon. Republic Street, the main thoroughfare, leads past elegant squares, artisan shops, and cafés. The recently opened MUŻA (Malta's national art museum) and the stunning Renzo Piano-designed Parliament building show that Valletta seamlessly blends its 450-year history with contemporary culture.

Planning the wider trip? The Malta planning guide covers how to get there, how to move around, where to stay, realistic costs and a day-by-day itinerary that includes Valletta.