Sights in Valletta★★★
St. John's Co-Cathedral
The St. John's Co-Cathedral is Valletta's absolute highlight—and one of the most impressive churches in the world. Externally plain and fortress-like, the interior explodes in an orgy of gold, marble, and painting that literally takes the visitor's breath away upon entering. The floor consists of 375 tombstones of the knights, each a work of art inlaid with marble. The side chapels of the eight languages of the Order compete for the most magnificent decoration. In the oratory hangs Caravaggio's "The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist" (1608)—the master's largest painting and his only signed work. Admission: €15, including audio guide. Tip: Come first thing in the morning before the cruise groups arrive.
Grandmaster's Palace
The Grandmaster's Palace on Republic Street was the seat of the Grandmasters of the Order of St. John for 250 years and is today partially the seat of the Maltese President. The State Rooms with knight armor, tapestries, and frescoes as well as the Palace Armoury with over 5,000 exhibits—one of the largest collections of historical weapons in Europe—are open to visitors. Admission: €10 (State Rooms), €10 (Armoury) or combined ticket €14.
Upper Barrakka Gardens & Saluting Battery
The Upper Barrakka Gardens are Valletta's crown jewel among public spaces: a terrace with arcades high above the Grand Harbour, with a panoramic view that is among the most spectacular in all of Europe. Below the terrace lies the Saluting Battery—here historical cannons fire a salute shot daily at 12:00 and 16:00. The moment when the cannon roars and the smoke drifts over the harbor is unforgettable. Garden entry: free. Saluting Battery: €3.
Fort St. Elmo & National War Museum
Fort St. Elmo at the tip of the peninsula is the place where Malta's history was decided. During the Great Siege of 1565, the small fortress withstood the Ottomans for 31 days—far longer than expected—and gave the defenders in the rest of Malta the crucial time. Today, the fort houses the National War Museum with exhibits from the Bronze Age to World War II. Admission: €10.
MUŻA — National Museum of Art
In the beautifully restored Auberge d'Italie (1574), MUŻA showcases Malta's art collection from antiquity to the present, including works by Mattia Preti, Antoine Favray, and contemporary Maltese artists. The architecture of the building alone is worth the visit. Admission: €7.
Renzo Piano's City Gate & Parliament
Italian star architect Renzo Piano redesigned the entrance to the city in 2014: the modern City Gate, the sleek parliament building made of honey-colored limestone, and the open-air theater Pjazza Teatru Rjal on the ruins of the opera house destroyed in the war. A successful dialogue between old and new, initially controversial, but now considered a masterpiece.
