MT
Valletta
Malta’s fortified Baroque capital, overlooking the Grand Harbour
Malta’s fortified Baroque capital, overlooking the Grand Harbour
Behind a plain façade lies a lavishly gilded Baroque interior. The oratory holds Caravaggio’s Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, his largest work and the only one he signed.
Closed on Sundays; shoulders and knees must be covered, and stiletto heels are not allowed.
Photo: Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0
These arcaded gardens look over the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities. Cannons of the Saluting Battery below are fired daily at noon.
Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0
At the tip of the peninsula, this star-shaped fort houses the National War Museum, covering Malta’s history from prehistory to the Second World War.
Photo: John Haslam, CC BY 2.0
Colourful wooden balconies line steep streets that run down to the sea. The Grandmaster’s Palace and Republic Street are at the heart of the city.
Photo: Godwin Borg, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try pastizzi, ftira sandwiches, rabbit stew (stuffat tal-fenek), fresh fish and local Kinnie soft drink or Cisk beer.
Restaurants spill onto the steps of Valletta’s side streets in the evening.
Malta International Airport is about 20–30 minutes by road from most towns. Buses and ride-hailing apps cover the main island. Valletta’s bus terminus serves routes across Malta.
Ferries cross to Sliema and the Three Cities in a few minutes, and a fast ferry runs to Gozo.
Malta uses the euro (€). English is widely spoken, and buses run across the islands.
Prices are approximate; check current rates.
City and harbour.
Visit St John’s Co-Cathedral and the Grandmaster’s Palace, then watch the noon gun from Upper Barrakka Gardens.
Take the ferry to the Three Cities, then visit Fort St Elmo.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Malta is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Arrive at Upper Barrakka a little before noon.
Cover shoulders and knees in churches.
July and August are very hot.
Streets are steep; wear comfortable shoes.
Quick answers for planning time in Valletta.
Yes, the whole city is listed.
In the oratory of St John’s Co-Cathedral.
No, it is closed to visitors on Sundays.
By ferry in a few minutes.
April to June and September to October.
English is an official language, but translation helps with Maltese signs.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Malta travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.