You have chosen Malta for your next trip, and now you are wondering what to do in Malta’s capital? In this article, we will walk you through some of the best things to do in Valletta in one day to help you make the best out of your time in this city. After living in Malta for about a year, Valletta has been a place we often go to. The city offers many great attractions and beautiful spots that are worth visiting. And if you are ready to explore the town by yourself, it won’t be so difficult. Valletta is one of the smallest capitals in Europe. Therefore, we think that the ideal way to start your journey in Valletta is by taking a walking tour around the most important sights in the capital. If you are confused about what to visit first, we will try to help you below.

Things to do in Valletta on foot

Start your day at Republic Square

Let’s imagine it is Sunday morning! Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a traditional Maltese pastizzi in one of the lovely cafes at Republic Square. Don’t forget to check out the Internet about upcoming events in Malta and read our article about the best things to do in Valletta as well. Watch how the city gets busier with all the tourists taking photos around and the locals meeting with friends to chill and gossip. Yes, absolute heaven for people-watching.

Stroll through the baroque streets

Go for a walk from Castille Place to Fort St. Elmo on Merchants Street and find a bit of everything. On the longest street in Valletta, you will see historic buildings, churches, cafes with street terraces, and many famous and local shops. Take some side streets, and you’ll happily lose yourself in some of the windy roads around. Don’t worry – Valletta is small, and all streets lead to the sea. So, you will definitely find your way back. (I love roaming around the capital and exploring new hidden gems every time.) And watch out for the traditional Maltese colorful balconies and strange doorknobs on Valletta’s houses. Have you already noticed these unique decorations? Yes? Great! Take a photo!

Take some photos at Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens

Built 1560s, these gardens can easily be considered a jewel in Valletta. The Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens offer some of the most spectacular views where visitors can admire the beauty of the Grand Harbor, the Three Cities, Marsa, and Floriana as well. It is a great experience, especially at sunset sitting on a bench with your beloved one. Don’t forget to take some photos for Instagram too!

One of the most interesting things in Valletta – watch the Saluting Battery attraction

Find your place at the Upper Barrakka Gardens and watch the Saluting Battery fire at noon or 4 pm. Come here a little bit earlier at noon to witness the short commentary before the firing and know more about the old battery, which guns protected the harbor for almost 500 years. You can also go down and see it closer.

A walk to remember – Valletta’s Waterfront

Take the lift from Upper Barrakka, and just in 10 minutes, you will be on Valletta Waterfront. Just outside Valletta, you will get a small area on the harbor side with buildings used for storage and customs. The restored stores now house several restaurants and entertainment establishments with a lovely view over Grand Harbor.

Have a break at Hastings Gardens

The Hastings Gardens are located next to St. John’s Bastions near the City Gate, offering breathtaking views of Floriana, Sliema, and Manoel Island. The gardens were designed in honor of Lord Hastings, who is buried within its walls. According to a legend, the gardens were built in just four hours!!! Hmmm, do you believe that?!

Feel the nature at Argotti Botanical Gardens

Wait! We are still not ready with all the nature spots in Valletta…but I promise this is the last stop from our favorite gardens here. The Argotti Botanical Gardens are located in Floriana – a few minutes’ walk from Valletta. They were designed in the 18th century. Now, the University of Malta uses them to grow medicinal herbs and exotic collections of plants typical for the Mediterranean climate. The garden is very popular among locals and tourists who want to sit back and have some peaceful time.

Check the view from Breakwater Bridge

If you’re a little bit more adventurous and don’t mind heading off the beaten path, with a short walk around Fort Saint Elmo, you can get to the Breakwater Bridge at the entrance to Grand Harbor. Unfortunately, the access to the end of the breakwater bridge is usually closed. But the view you get out over the harbor and the location itself is impressive and worth it.

Explore some temples in Valletta

Malta is home to many impressive churches (around 360). If you’re a temple fan, the Saint John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta is the place for you. This Roman Catholic Co-Cathedral was built in the 16th century for the Order of the Knights of St. John. This masterwork in Baroque style expresses the wealth of The Order at that time. It is one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. In the oratory, you can see two original masterpieces by Caravaggio, too. We recommend taking the audio guide to get great detail about the church’s history and artifacts. Please note that you have to be appropriately dressed when entering such religious places.

Food and Drink experience – top places to visit in Valletta

If you’re wondering where to bite or drink something in Valletta, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of places and variety to choose from. You will find not only many traditional restaurants but also some offering delicious Mediterranean dishes. Here are some of our favorite places:

1.Drink your morning coffee or cappuccino with some tasty Maltese desserts on Republic Street. We love Caffe Cordina – a place with over 175 years of excellence. Make sure to check out the unique interior of this old palazzo as well.

2.What do you want for breakfast? Grab a couple of traditional Maltese pastizzi from “Malta Pastizzi” on Merchant Street and try the most favorite snack in Malta. What’s more, it is cheap and delicious.

3.If you are a food lover like us, don’t miss the capital’s culinary experience at the Is-Suq Tal-Belt food market. Go on a journey of international culinary specialties from around the globe under one roof.

4.Oh, this hot summer! It’ time for ice cream! Homemade gelato with quality ingredients and no artificial colors or flavors. Where? Find your taste at Amorino – fantastic ice creams lovingly crafted into a flower shape on top of the cone. Should I eat it, or can I just watch this ice-cream masterpiece? Oh, wait a minute to post this photo on Instagram.

5.Have dinner by the sea at one of the restaurants facing Valletta’s Waterfront and try a fresh Mediterranean dish. Browns Restaurant or Bistro 516 are waiting for you with their delicious specialties.

6.More whiskey, please! It’s time for a party night. Let’s start with a glass of excellent whiskey. Sample a variety of whiskeys at StrEat Whisky & Bistro in Valletta. Or…

7.Gin? Bourbon? Wine? All in one? Try the unique cocktail creations at Alchemy Bar on Strait Street. A unique mixology experience.

Go on a Culinary Food Tour

Are you a big food fan like us? If you want to know where the local people dine, we recommend going on a food tour with local guides that takes you to some of the best street food spots in Valletta.

What to do in Valletta – find the best tours

Around Valletta on a boat – Cross the Marsamxett Harbour

Do you want to feel the wind in your hair? Then cross Marsamxett Harbor by ferry and get to Sliema or Gozo from Valletta. Or you can take a boat tour around the Grand Harbor. Or take a quick ferry trip to Birgu and Senglea on the other side of Valletta. There are a lot of things to do in Valletta on your holiday there.

Take a day trip

Grand Harbour boat tours

The Grand Harbour is a beautiful spot, offering incredible views from the sea. Being one of the larger natural harbors in Europe, there’s a lot of history in this area. Such excursion offers you a memorable moment – the opportunity to see and experience two of Malta’s most popular tourist attractions. The tour includes a cruise around Grand Harbor with sea views of the island’s fortifications. The Malta Experience follows it — an audio-visual presentation about Malta’s 7000-year history and episodes associated with this magnificent Grand Harbour area.

Private tours around Valletta

Visit some of the most famous sites in Valletta, Malta’s capital city. Your guide will provide you with an in-depth understanding of Malta’s history and way of life.

Valletta walking tour

You can best explore the capital of Malta on a walking tour. It is our honest opinion, and we recommend going on a guided tour around the city to know in detail about this beautiful city.

Ghost tour

There’s plenty of beauty and history in Valletta, but would you like to go back in time and learn more about the mysterious stories from the city’s past? Explore the dark side of Valletta and take a Ghost Tour around the city in the evening. Hear some of the legends about Valletta, the Knights of St. John, and their Order.

Night tour

Malta is like a giant open-air museum. Go to this tour at night, and experience it yourself. You will visit unique places (Valletta, Mosta, and Mdina) by night and get a different picture of the island and the cities.

Things to do in Valletta during the year – attend one of the annual events

Yes, the Maltese love celebrating, and they organize a lot of festivals every year. Check the most popular celebrations in Valletta below, and if you are in Malta during this time, don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate with the Maltese. Which one of these fits you best to include in your day trip to Valletta?

Valletta Baroque Festival (January)

Visit the Valletta Baroque Festival with an impressive selection of local and international artists and classical music from Monteverdi to Bach and beyond in January.

Carnival (February)

Admire the colorful carnival floats in Valletta during the Malta Carnival celebrations in February. Five days full of parties, concerts, attractions, and people from everywhere.

Feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck (10th of February)

The Feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck is a notable local religious celebration in St. Paul’s honor. Like a regular village feast in Malta, band marches, fireworks, and a generally festive atmosphere liven up the area around the Church of St. Paul’s Shipwreck during the weekend.

Malta International Fireworks Festival (April)

You can visit the Malta International Fireworks Festival towards the end of April. You can see a bright show with music and fireworks in the sky over Grand Harbour.

Isle of MTV (June)

Be part of the fun at the annual Isle of MTV open-air concert on the square in Floriana, right outside Valletta, and meet famous worldwide class singers at the end of June.

Malta Jazz Festival (July)

Are you a jazz fan? Vlad is one of you! The Malta Jazz Festival brings together famous jazz musicians in a concert, usually held at the harbor side at the end of July.

Wine festivals from local producers (July & August)

Two Wine festivals are usually organized around the end of July and August. Two of the leading local producers (Marsovin and Delicata) are here for you, offering wine tasting. Yes, promoting their wines is the main idea, but if you are a wine enthusiast, you will find an exciting event – entertainment, a relatively low entrance fee (including a glass of wine), and a friendly crowd around.

Notte Bianca (October)

Notte Bianca is an important festival with a real success that attracts lots of people in early October. It’s great that various museums keep their doors open until late in the evening, and you can see performances and exhibitions on every corner of Valletta’s streets. It’s a lovely event to attend. (It reminds me of Nights of the Museums in Bulgaria, which I love visiting).

Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, some events are canceled, or dates are changed. We hope soon all these fantastic celebrations will be organized again.

Check out our Malta travel tips if you want to know what else you can do on the island.

And in conclusion, one question for you – Have you ever visited Valletta? Share your experience with us and tell us what your favorite thing to do in Valletta is.

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