Valletta, Malta

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Valletta Malta

The wee capital of Malta, the city is less than 1 sq km in size, but has loads to offer visitors. Valletta is known as one of the most densely packed historic areas in the world, with its 7,000 years of history. It's no surprise then, that the City of Valletta was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Built by the knights of St John in the 16th and 17th centuries for military and strategic reasons, Valletta was later spruced up into a fine example of baroque decorative art – most notably in the magnificent interiors of St John’s Co-Cathedral in the heart of the city. Shady atmospheric alleyways link grand squares, and grand palazzi sit alongside pubs and shops. Recently, the city has seen some major changes to create a more vibrant urbanity, with the renovation of the main City Gate and the design of a new parliament building, as well as the renovation of the bombed-out Opera House. Valletta's natural deep water port, the Grand Harbour, is the biggest and the most impressive harbour in all the Mediterranean and was, for many thousands of years, the epicentre of Malta’s maritime activity. Evidence of this are the 19 historical warehouses still standing dating back 250 years and the historic Quay Wall, where the Knights of St John and European merchants used to unload their goods. The Valletta Waterfront is also the gateway to Malta’s capital city. In fact, as one of the most successful Mediterranean ports, the Port of Valletta welcomes more than half-a-million cruise passengers into this open air museum. Recently, the waterfront has been revitalised into an attractive and vibrant gateway of shops, pubs and restaurants. It’s particularly romantic at night when lit up. There are loads of outdoor pursuits to enjoy thanks to the city’s moderate climate. From diving to sailing, cycling to rock climbing, there are a number of different adrenalin-busting options to satisfy adventurous holidaymakers. Just don't expect Valletta to be buzzing all night, its tranquility is a large part of its charm.
Recommended airport
Malta Intl Airport (MLA)
Nearby destinations