Malta is popular with beach and history lovers alike, with a rocky coastline and some sandy beaches that line the intriguing towns and cities in the island country.
The unique destination is located in the central Mediterranean, about 50 miles south of Sicily and 176 miles east of Tunisia. But at just 316km squared, its small size makes it much easier to explore in a short time.
Though best known as a summer holiday destination, Malta boasts an incredibly mild winter climate with temperatures rarely dropping below 15C, making its capital city, Valletta the perfect walkable holiday spot all year round.
Valletta was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1980 and has a fascinating history linked to the Knights of St John.
A Baroque masterpiece in its own right, the European Art City is easy to conquer in a two-day trip with most attractions within walking distance from one another.
A local guide based in Malta shared with Go Ask a Local that those looking to “spend their time exploring the island’s long history and delving into its heritage” should visit in either spring or autumn. They said: “March to June and September to November would be the best time to visit.”
Ryanair, easyJet and KM Malta Airlines all offer direct flights from London to Valletta from £53 in October, so visitors can get stuck straight after landing.
Designed by military architects, Old Valletta is contained within impenetrable defensive walls and bastions. Coupled with steep streets and lots of steps, the city is very unfriendly to motor vehicles and favours pedestrians.
As for what to do in the capital, start with a visit to St John’s Co-Cathedral to see Caravaggio’s ‘The Beheading of St John the Baptist’ and the church’s spectacular interior. The painting is the only one in existence to bear the artist’s signature.
Head to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for panoramic views of the Grand Harbour, but be sure to arrive before noon or 4pm if you want to see, and hear, the daily saluting battery from the cannons. Don’t miss the Lower Barrakka Gardens, a short walk away, which some say are the prettier of the two and also have fantastic sea views.
Head to the Mysterium Fidei Monastery for something a little different. Home to nuns for hundreds of years, the monastery is now open to the public and offers an immersive experience.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area to refuel between sightseeing, including the top-rated Papannis Restaurant (4.8 out of five stars on Google Reviews), Noni (4.8 stars) and Beati Paoli Restaurant (4.8 stars).
One visitor described Valletta as “a walkable and small city” on TripAdvisor, adding that the waterfront is one area well worth exploring. “Although the steep streets to the centre look daunting there are lifts to help the weary traveller. The city is compact and very attractive”, they said.
Another wrote: “We spent many hours and numerous visits to the capital of Malta. So many eateries to choose from, just as many stores and boutiques to visit. You can spend hours walking around and seeing history! The refurbished Triton fountain at the main entrance is glorious! I highly recommend everyone to go to this beautiful city! If you’re porting during a cruise… get off and tour…”
Guided walking tours are a popular choice for tourists in Valletta, many of which are well-reviewed – even by those who have gone in the peak of summer when Malta can be unbearably hot.
According to TripAdvisor, the top ways to explore the area with a guide are on the Valletta City Walking Tour, The Original Valletta Walking Tour and The Valletta Street Food and Culture Walking Tour.
As for the climate, Malta is very dry compared to neighbouring European destinations. Even in November, which is the rainiest month, it has 161 hours of sunshine, more than twice as many European cities.
In September, expect average highs of 28C and lows of 20C with three days of rainfall and highs of 25C, lows 18C with five days of rain in October.