Azura Mediterranean Fly-Cruise

Top things to do in Valletta

Whether you’re starting your Mediterranean fly-cruise in Valletta or exploring on another of our holidays, Malta’s pedestrian-friendly capital is crammed with binge-worthy sights. Get the most out of your visit to this compact but mighty Medieval city, with our shortlist of the top things to see and do in Valletta.  

4 min 04 Apr 2025

Editorial Team

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Get swept up in history

Like Tallinn and Rome, Valletta’s high concentration of historic monuments has earned the city UNESCO World Heritage status. Over 300 of these can be explored within a quarter-of-a-mile radius, meaning you don’t have to go far in Valletta to see a lot! The city, established in 1566, is actually the smallest capital in Europe and the smallest city in the European continent, after Vatican City in Italy.

Some of Valletta’s top attractions include:

 

 

St John’s Co-Cathedral

Built in 1577 – only 11 years after Valletta’s founding – the interiors of this centuries-old church are an artistic masterpiece. You’ll see decorative details everywhere, from the patchwork of marble tombstones that fan out across the floor to the gilded carvings that adorn the walls. No surface has escaped without flourish. The church is also home to one of Italian artist Caravaggio’s greatest works, The Beheading of St John the Baptist, which he painted in Malta after fleeing Italy in the early 1600s.

 

 

Fort St Elmo

Since its completion in 1552, Fort St Elmo has played a pivotal role in defending Valletta from invasion. It was first put to the test just 13 years after opening, when the island was besieged by Ottomans. More than four centuries later, while under British rule, it came under attack again during WWII. Today, Fort St Elmo houses The National War Museum, harbouring over 7,000 years of Maltese military history. On Sundays, the fort hosts a historical reenactment that depicts an inspection by the Order of the Knights of St John. 

The ornate interior of St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta, featuring intricate baroque design and rich artwork.
The ornate interior of St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta, featuring intricate baroque design and rich artwork.
The ornate interior of St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta, featuring intricate baroque design and rich artwork.
The ornate interior of St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta, featuring intricate baroque design and rich artwork.

Grand Master’s Palace

Valletta’s Grand Master’s Palace serves as the office of Malta’s President and strolling through the stately corridors, beneath Baroque ceiling frescos painted by 18th Century masters, feels nothing short of arriving for tea at Buckingham Palace. Every room has a story to tell and something fascinating for the eye to explore. The armoury – one of the best in the world – boasts a collection of Ottoman weapons and a suit worn by Alof de Wignacourt, whose portrait (painted by Caravaggio) hangs in the Louvre in Paris.

 

 

Saluting Battery and Lascaris War Rooms

Accessible via Valletta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens, the Saluting Battery is another legacy of the city’s defensive structures. We recommend timing your visit for just before noon to see the daily canon firing (though if you miss it, you’ll certainly hear it!). The War Rooms, located 150ft underground, offer a glimpse into the secret tunnels and chambers that acted as Britain’s WWII base in Malta. It makes for a fascinating visit, putting you within the very walls where military manoeuvres were plotted. 

The Parliament House (Dar il-Parlament), designed by Renzo Piano, is the meeting place of the Parliament of Malta.
The Parliament House (Dar il-Parlament), designed by Renzo Piano, is the meeting place of the Parliament of Malta.
The Parliament House (Dar il-Parlament), designed by Renzo Piano, is the meeting place of the Parliament of Malta.
The Parliament House (Dar il-Parlament), designed by Renzo Piano, is the meeting place of the Parliament of Malta.

Embrace the celebratory spirit

Being Malta’s capital, Valletta is the centre of many of the island’s celebrations. Throughout the year you’ll find all kinds of events lighting up the city’s medieval streets. Musical extravaganzas. Fireworks displays. Food and wine festivals. The list goes on. Malta’s Mediterranean climate means it’s possible to enjoy outdoor events year-round, and Valletta isn’t shy when it comes to putting on a party.  

Some of the main festivals that take place in the city include:

 

 

Carnival

Like Rio de Janeiro, Malta celebrates Carnival every year and the Maltese edition is just as vibrant as the world-famous festival that’s put Brazil on the map. If you’re lucky enough to be in Valletta when Carnival takes place you’re in for a treat. The city comes to life in an explosion of sound and colour as floats flanked by costumed dancers and musicians parade through Valletta’s streets. It’s a visual extravaganza, offering a taste of a Maltese tradition that dates back to the city’s inception. 

Festively decorated street in the old town of Valletta, Malta
Festively decorated street in the old town of Valletta, Malta
Festively decorated street in the old town of Valletta, Malta
Festively decorated street in the old town of Valletta, Malta

The Malta Spring Festival

Taking place every year in Valletta, The Malta Spring Festival celebrates the rich tapestry and diversity of classical and orchestral music. Each year’s programme follows a different theme, and the concerts take place in pop-up locations across Valletta, with artists from around the world invited to attend. Along with live musical performances from established names in the industry, the festival also invites up-and-coming talent to the stage with its Rising Stars Concert Series.  

 

 

Malta International Fireworks Festival

You might assume that a fireworks festival would take place in November, but this annual event in Valletta’s calendar actually happens in April. Firework making has been a main industry in Malta since the 16th century, and this festival pays tribute to the generations of Maltese families who have kept the tradition alive. Colourful displays, choregraphed to music, light up Valletta’s sky across several evenings, so those sailing on our Mediterranean fly-cruises may well get to see this spectacular play out.

 

 

Valletta Green Festival

Valletta already boasts two beautiful city parks in the form of the Lower and Upper Barrakka gardens, but each year during Valletta Green Festival, the city gains an additional garden to enjoy. Dedicated to all things environmental, the Valletta Green Festival introduces a pop-up green space in the city, inviting you to get closer to nature. The festival also brings to town a market, selling wares crafted from recycled materials alongside stalls serving sustainable street food.

 

Malta Fireworks Festival 2024 at Valletta front harbour. A spectacle of lighs, colors and music
Malta Fireworks Festival 2024 at Valletta front harbour. A spectacle of lighs, colors and music
Malta Fireworks Festival 2024 at Valletta front harbour. A spectacle of lighs, colors and music
Malta Fireworks Festival 2024 at Valletta front harbour. A spectacle of lighs, colors and music

Explore more of Malta

Taking a Mediterranean fly-cruise to Valletta is a perfect way to see more of Malta. Many of our itineraries call overnight in port, allowing you to extend your exploration further afield, and stay off your ship after sundown. To help you, we offer a wide variety of shore experiences to other parts of the island, which you can book even before you travel. Alternatively, you could choose to extend your stay in Malta either side of your P&O Cruises holiday, giving you the freedom to visit nearby islands such as Gozo.

Popular day trips from Valletta include:

 

 

The Three Cities

Situated directly across the Grand Harbour from Valletta (so close you can actually see them) the Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua are quick and easy to reach if you’d rather not stray too far from port. Like Valletta, the Three Cities are protected by walled fortifications and steeped in history. Each is compact enough that you can walk between them, and a few hours is all that’s needed to take in the main sights, so you could spend a morning or afternoon here and still have time to explore Valletta.

 

 

Mdina

Walking the narrow, snaking streets of Mdina is like entering a time capsule. The once capital of Malta has existed since 700BCE and sits on one of the highest hills on the island, so you already know that the views are going to be good. Inside the city, you’ll find examples of architecture from bygone eras and an ethereal sense of quiet that’s broken only by the sound of horseshoes clipping against cobbles. It’s one of Malta’s oldest and best-preserved cities, well worth seeking out on a shore experience. 

Aerial view of the Citadel - capital city of Gozo island. Rabat, Victoria city. Malta country
Aerial view of the Citadel - capital city of Gozo island. Rabat, Victoria city. Malta country
Aerial view of the Citadel - capital city of Gozo island. Rabat, Victoria city. Malta country
Aerial view of the Citadel - capital city of Gozo island. Rabat, Victoria city. Malta country

Rabat

Rabat is another typical Maltese village and one of the few in Malta that celebrates a variety of Saints. Located at the foothills of Mdina, it’s home to one of the island’s largest public gardens as well as the St Paul’s and St Agatha’s catacombs, an underground complex of Roman cemeteries, open to visitors. Another of Rabat’s treasures is the Domus Romana (Roman Villa in English). The mosaics here rank among the oldest in the Western Mediterranean, putting them in the same league as Pompeii.

 

 

Marsaxlokk

Pronounced Marsa-schlock, which literally means southeastern port, Marsaxlokk is a traditional Maltese fishing village, nestled on Malta’s southeast coast. If you’re a lover of seafood, Marsaxlokk is a must-visit. Restaurants here are some of Malta’s finest and the morning market buzzes with chefs clamouring to secure the best catch. The harbour, with its colourful Luzzijets (Maltese fishing boats) is a great spot to enjoy an alfresco drink and makes a beautiful backdrop for photos.

 

 

Gozo

Gozo is the second largest inhabited island in the Maltese archipelago. Quieter and smaller than Malta, it’s known for its beautiful beaches and lush green countryside. Its capital, Victoria, is home to the 17th century Gozo Cathedral, the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, and the Natural Science Museum, among many other attractions. Another of the island’s treasures is the Ġgantija temple complex. Built during the Neolithic era, the temples are the oldest of their kind in Malta, and even pre-date Egypt’s pyramids. 

 

Azura in Valletta, Malta
Azura in Valletta, Malta
Azura in Valletta, Malta
Azura in Valletta, Malta

Like the sound of Malta?

If a cruise to Valletta appeals, take a look at our Mediterranean fly-cruise holidays. Airport transfers in Malta and return flights from the UK are included, and with many itineraries calling overnight in Valletta, you’ll have plenty of time to explore.

 

Mediterranean fly-cruises with us start from 7-nights, perfect if you want to escape to the sun without taking too much annual leave. And, given that you can fly from Manchester or Gatwick, you might even find them a more affordable and convenient cruise holiday than our cruises from Southampton. 

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