A weekend in Valletta, MALTA

3 UNESCO sites, 7000 years of History , 3000 years of wine making, an amazing diversity of food, feasts and fesitvals makes a weekend in Valletta Malta a very attractive destination. Located slap bang between Sicily and North Africa, Malta has been occupied by many countries over millennia and that is evidenced by the amazing architecture and the mixture of food and culture; don’t be surprised to find an Italian starter, with an Arabic main and a British pudding all on the same menu. There is literally so much to see and experience, but for a weekend visit, we have curated some highlights.

Valetta, the capital city is actually a UNESCO site; it is a small city that really packs a punch and one place you must visit is St. Johns co-cathedral The church itself is not really notable on the outside, but the inside is jaw-dropping: the floor is made up of 376 tombs decorated with inlaid marble, and Caravaggio’s masterpiece, The Beheading of St John the Baptist, adorns the wall.

The Grand Masters Palace dominates the city square and a visit to the Palace State Rooms is definitely worth an hour of your day. Amazing ceiling paintings, art work and tapestries depict some of the islands storied history. The order of St. John was a brotherhood of Knights that ruled the island from 1530 to 1798 and the palace Armoury collection of amour, weapons and some artillery is staggering

Plan to spend a few hours at The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, the only subterranean prehistoric temple in the world, dating to the 25th century BC. Built entirely underground by a civilisation that had long disappeared, it was constructed on 3 levels and was used mainly for burials and religious purposes.
The passageways and chambers are interconnected through a sophisticated series of steps, lintels and doorways 

The Hypogeum and its museum are a popular attraction in Malta. The museum is open at 9am, but queuing for tickets starts around 8am.  Visitors are recommended to book months before, as a limited amount of people are allowed per day.

Is-Suq tal-Belt is the main food market in the city and is minutes from the Grandmaster’s Palace. The basement level is the food market; fruit and veg, herbs, spices and oils, fishmonger, butcher and a great selection of wines, locally produced and imported. Arrive with a hearty appetite, because the ground floor is a food court and there are 3 restaurants on site.

If you are feeling energetic and want to work off that fabulous lunch, head over to Had-Dingli, a small village  which is the starting point of a 7 mile walk to the Blue Grottos, a complex of sea caves – if you’re up to it, otherwise check out the website for bus and taxi information. 

Or stroll the streets of Valetta admiring the grand architecture then meander over to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, located on the highest point of Valetta and dates back to 1661 when it used to be a private garden for the Knights. The gardens are peaceful and stunning and offer sensational views of the harbour and beyond.

Before you leave, you’ll want to visit historic Mdina, Malta’s former capital is a fortified town called the “silent city”.  It’s a pedestrian town of winding streets and cobbled alleyways and has fantastic views over the island- especially at night.

Lovely restaurants around Valetta:

• Trabuxu Bistro, 

  Valetta  Mon- Fri lunch and dinner, Saturday dinner only closed Sunday

• Bahia

  Balsan 20 minutes from Valetta  Monday to Wednesday, Friday, Saturday – 18:00 to 21:30 (last order)

• Rubino  Valetta  open for lunch and dinner closed Sunday
• Terrone 

  20 mins across the Grand Harbour from Valetta  dinner only Mon – Thursday lunch & dinner Friday – Sunday

• Fifty Nine Republic 

  Valetta  Mon- Sun lunch and dinner

  The adventure starts with a weekend in Valletta.  Book this now!