Valletta, Malta
Malta wasn’t really on the top of my “to visit” list but when a close friend of mine suggested going there I said sure, why not. I am so glad I did because it is a truly hidden gem of Europe. The island is located between Sicily and Northern Africa so it has a real mix of heritage noticeable as you wander the streets. I wish we stayed longer so we could fully explore the island however if you want a long weekend break, Valletta is the perfect escape.
Stay Here.
There were lots of options for accommodation. Initially we looked at hotels in both Valletta and the more modern area of Sliema, but went with a small apartment located in Valletta from Air BnB which was a great location for us to explore the city. I would recommend staying in this area if you are here just for a weekend as it is also really pretty to step out into.
Visit Here.
Walking tour of Valletta;
This is a free/pay as you wish walking guide of the city which I highly recommend. We started at the Parliament of Malta wandering the streets towards the Upper Barrakka Gardens which gives a wide view of the Grand Harbour. St John’s Co-Cathedral is definitely worth stopping by with its amazing ceiling and 407 marble tombstones of the “most important” Knights. The streets of Valletta are also so beautiful to get lost in. Pops of colours in contrast against the sandstone buildings. Lower Barrakka Gardens is great for views of the Grand Harbour, Fort St Angelo and the Siege Bell Memorial. It is also a nice little spot for a sit down.
Marsaxlokk Sunday Market
We were recommended this by our city tour guide. The markets are on every Sunday selling fresh seafood and produce along the waterfront. What you’ll notice though are the brightly coloured Luzzu boats that dot the water. It is possible to go around the harbour on one but best to get in early as we noticed the lines are quite large for them.
It’s an easy bus ride (the 85 bus when we visited) to the markets and back to Valletta main bus station.
Birgu + Senglea
You can easily catch the ferry across to these towns from Valletta for a half day walking around. We meandered through the historic Birgu which pre-dates Valletta so it had a lot of old buildings. Malta at War Museum has lovely views of the harbour below. You could also visit Fort St Angelo (we didn’t). We just walked along the harbour to the entrance then back into the old town.
We then made our way to the waterfront of Senglea to have a bite to eat, looking back over to the Marina. If you walk to the tip of Senglea, the views back over to Valletta are also quite something.
Walking the perimeter to St Elmo Breakwater.
As we were staying towards this end of Valletta, the afternoon we arrived we went for a stroll along the streets and found a path down to the waterfront near the Malta Experience. From here you can walk around to Post St Elmo (St Elmo Bridge). It can get a bit wet and slippery so just be mindful. Lovely walk finishing at St Elmo Bay. Keep an eye on the tide!
Eat Here.
Caffe Cordina; 244 Republic, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1114
We had a routine of visiting this cafe for a coffee and a Maltese pastizzi (or two) before setting off for the day. The seating area available in the Republic Square was a beautiful view as we basked in the morning sun. The cafe is also known for its delicious pastries and the interior is also something to behold.
Senglea Waterfront Cafes.
We walked along the waterfront of Senglea from Birgu to the tip then back on ourselves and we were hankering for a beer, and a bite of food. We didn’t have any particular cafe in mind and I don’t think you could go wrong as they all seemed pretty similar. It was lovely to sit back and look over to the marina after a decent walk in the blistering heat.
Trattoria Romana Zero Sei; 75 Old Theatre Street, Il-Belt Valletta
This place was unbelievably good. We were so very lucky because we didn’t book a table but managed to talk our way into getting in if we promised to eat fast. It was delicious food taking us back to when we visited Rome with the cacio e’ pepe, finishing with a helping of their tiramisu. I had to downplay how good the tiramisu was to my fiancé as he absolutely loves this dessert… but it was one of the best I have had! Book yourself a table here before you arrive so you aren’t disappointed.
Terrone; Ex-Naval Bakery Birgu Waterfront Birgu, BRG 1721
We went to this restaurant when we were visiting the fish markets in Marzaxlokk and it looks like it has since moved to Birgu. They serve seasonal local Maltese food with an Italian influence, and it was just by chance that we stopped in here as we were in need of a sit down and lunch. We shared a few dishes, all of which were fresh and delicious. Of course we had dessert and this too was just yum.
If you’re looking for a light bite to eat for lunch or a cheap breakfast then I recommend this place. Grab a focaccia and sit by the water’s edge, thinking how lucky you are to be in this place.
Malta surpassed all of my expectations and I wish we were there longer so we could explore the island some more. The Northern part with its beautiful swimming waters looks glorious.. For now I’ll just have to dream about pastizzis until I am near the island again.
We visited in March and the weather was lovely - Summer is apparently unbearably hot even for locals.
Flights weren’t too expensive from London given we visited during off season and just before Easter, so check on comparison websites like Sky Scanner or Kayak for the best deals going.
As mentioned, there are a plethora of accommodation options dependent on your budget. Staying in an apartment in the older part of town was pretty quaint. We booked tis through Air BnB but I also looked at Booking.com.
We didn’t find it terribly expensive given we were told that it wasn’t a cheap destination. I suppose you can spend money if you really wanted to however you can also make this a cheap weekend away.
You can catch a bus to and from the airport which is really quick and easy. However, we nearly got caught out on our return flight home because there was a parade on which we did not know about so buses were held up. We had to frantically find a taxi who would take us to the airport ASAP. Thankfully we made our flight in the knick of time!
