Valletta holidays

How to reach Valletta

• Flight time: Flights to Malta from Dublin take roughly 3 hours 40 minutes.

• Transfer time: Malta International Airport is 10km from Valletta, 15 minutes by taxi or 25–30 minutes by express bus.

• Price: Prepaid airport taxis cost €17 (excluding admin fees). Bus tickets cost €2.50 (€3 for night services). Ticketing kiosks for taxis and bus services are located in the arrivals hall, but you can also pay by card through the Malta Taxi app or make an onboard bus payment.

Weather and best time to visit Valletta

Alfresco evenings on the waterfront, a sightseeing blitz or city festivals? The best time for your holidays to Valletta depends on what you want to do.

• March to May sees off the winter rain. With temperatures rising from 17 to 25°C and 7 to 10 hours of daily sunshine, this is the perfect time to get out onto the Malta Coastal Trail or get lost sightseeing.

• June to August guarantees 11 to 12 hours of daily sunshine and a line-up of cultural and musical events. Humidly hot at 29–32°C, the city's few air-conditioned churches and museums and local swimming spots will be irresistible.

• September to October brings greyer skies, but temperatures drop into a more comfortable range (28–25°C). With the summer crowds thinning out, this is the perfect time to check out the city's historic hot spots.

• November to February is ideal if you want some winter sun. With temperatures hitting 17–16°C and 5 to 6 hours of daily sunshine, 90–83mm of rain won't put much of a damper on your holiday. Strung with lights and decorations and with a Christmas-themed fairground, Valletta is especially magical in December.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: English and Maltese are both official languages.

• Currency: Malta is in the eurozone.

• Getting around: Valletta is best explored on foot due to its compact size. If you prefer, there are small electric taxis and a bus service within the city. Tickets cost €2.50–€3 and are valid for 2 hours from first use (validate at the ticket machine near the driver on any service you use). If you plan to use public transport frequently, purchasing a 7-Day Explore card (unlimited transport for 7 days) may work out cheaper in the long run at €25.

• Electricity and plug types: Malta operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz and uses type G plugs (the same three-pin plugs as Ireland).

• Time zone: Malta is on Central European Time (1 hour ahead of GMT during standard time and 2 hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time).

Best things to do in Valletta

From its Baroque architecture to its bustling squares, there's plenty to keep you entertained on holidays to Malta.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• The Grand Harbour: For the best views of Valletta's skyline, hop aboard a dghajsa (a traditional water taxi) and negotiate a personalised harbour tour.

• Hastings Gardens: Situated at the city's western edge, these tranquil gardens offer commanding views of Marsamxett Harbour.

The best districts

• Republic Street: Running from City Gate to Fort St Elmo, this lively thoroughfare is dotted with cafés, boutiques and must-see landmarks.

• Strait Street: A far cry from its rowdy red-light days, the city's food, drink and entertainment hub teems with bars, art galleries and cultural spots.

Parks and gardens

• Upper Barrakka Gardens: These colonnaded gardens are a lovely spot to catch your breath and soak in views of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. Visit at 12 noon or 4 pm to witness the firing of the Saluting Battery.

• Lower Barrakka Gardens: The main attraction of this compact garden is the Doric temple, but the views of Fort Ricasoli and the breakwater aren't half-bad either.

Museums

• MU≈ªA (National Community Art Museum): Sited in the grand Auberge d'Italie, the one-time digs of the Italian members of the Knights of St John, the museum has a humdinger of a collection by Maltese and foreign artists.

• National Museum of Archaeology: The former home of the langues de Provence has been put to similarly good use, now housing a spectacular range of artefacts dating from the Neolithic to the early Phoenician period, including the extraordinary 5,000-year-old Sleeping Lady statuette discovered at ƒ¶al Saflieni Hypogeum.

Historical monuments

• St John's Co-Cathedral: Austere on the outside, the gilded Baroque interior has a serious wow factor. In addition to two works by Caravaggio, the cathedral is also home to exquisite 17th-century Flemish tapestries, many of which were based on drawings by Rubens.

• Fort St Elmo: With fab views over the harbours, a rich history (the fort famously held against the Ottomans for 29 days during the Siege of Malta) and an on-site military history museum covering both the siege and the fort's later role in the defending the island during World War II, you'll easily while away a few hours.

Day trips in the area

• The Three Cities: A boat ride across the Grand Harbour, Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea (Isla) and Cospicua (Bormia) offer everything from churches and fortifications to museums and restaurants.

• Mdina: Filled with narrow alleys and stunning architecture – St Paul's Cathedral is showstopping – Malta's beautifully preserved old capital is only a half-hour drive from Valletta.

Activities for families in Valletta

History hits or a trip to the theatre? Compact Valletta is perfect for a family walk on the cultural side.

• Interactive museums: Hidden under Upper Barrakka Gardens, the Lascaris War Rooms, a network of underground tunnels and chambers that housed Britain's top-secret command headquarters, brings World War II-era history to life.

• Historical re-enactments: On select dates, the costumed In Guardia Parade is performed at Fort St Elmo, a re-enactment of an inspection of the fort and its garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St John.

• Land trains: Tooling through the city's narrow streets, Malta Fun Trains add a bit of novelty to sightseeing for kids.

• Theatres: Teatru Manoel routinely stages music, theatre and dance productions tailored to younger audiences.

• Boat rides: Whether it's slipping across to Birgu on a gondola-like dghajsa or a harbour tour on a brightly-painted luzzu, kids will love being out on the water.

Free things to do in Valletta

Ticking off historic city sites or lucking out with a free event, a light wallet doesn't mean you can't have a jam-packed itinerary on your Valletta holidays.

• Annual festivals and free events: From floats and masks at Carnival to Freedom Day fireworks to a laundry list of events during the Notte Bianca cultural arts festival, Valletta offers plenty of opportunities for free entertainment.

• Guided tours in Valletta: Authentic Malta and other companies offer pay-what-you-wish walking tours (as a rule of thumb, you're expected to pay at least €10 even when it's promoted as a free tour).

• Free churches and cathedrals: St John's Co-Cathedral excepted, most ecclesiastical sites in Valletta can be visited for free, including the very lovely Parroƒãƒãa San Pawl Nawfragu (St Paul's Shipwreck Collegiate Church).

Nature and outdoor activities

• Hiking: The Valletta section of the Malta Coastal Trail passes around the city's perimeter, offering fantastic views of Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour. If you want something less urban, take the bus to Dingli (Route 56) and explore the cliffs on the western coast.

• Scuba diving: Valletta isn't what you'd call a diving hot spot, but there are some interesting dive sites around St Elmo Bay (you'll have to be careful of boat traffic here), including the wreck of the British destroyer HMS Maori.

• Wild swimming: St Elmo's Bay is the city's go-to swimming spot, with several easy entry points into the sea.

Beaches to enjoy on Valletta holidays

While Valletta is known for its history and stunning architecture, there are some lovely spots nearby where you can relax by the sea and enjoy Malta's beautiful coastline. From tranquil swimming spots to lively beaches, there's something for everyone.

• St. George's Bay: Just a short drive from Valletta, this lively sandy beach is perfect for those looking to enjoy a mix of sunbathing and water sports. It's close to bars and restaurants, making it a great choice for a fun day out.

• Sliema rocky shores: A quick ferry ride from Valletta, Sliema's coastline offers flat rock platforms ideal for sunbathing and swimming. These areas are less crowded than traditional beaches and provide stunning views of Valletta across the water.

• Pretty Bay: Located in Bir≈ºebbuƒ°a, a short trip from Valletta, Pretty Bay offers a sandy beach with a family-friendly vibe. It's an excellent spot for swimming and relaxing while enjoying the local atmosphere.

• Blue Lagoon (Comino): For a truly unforgettable beach day, take a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon. Its crystal-clear turquoise waters are perfect for snorkelling, swimming, and soaking up the sun in a pristine setting.

• Golden Bay: One of Malta's most famous beaches, Golden Bay is about a 30-minute drive from Valletta. With its golden sands and crystal-clear waters, it's ideal for families and anyone looking for a classic beach experience.

While Valletta itself doesn't have beaches, its proximity to Malta's stunning coastline means you're never far from a perfect seaside escape. Whether you're exploring nearby rocky shores or venturing further to sandy beaches, your Valletta holiday offers the best of both worlds.

Local dishes in Valletta

One of the highlights of Valletta holidays is the eclectic food scene, with plenty of tasty places to indulge in Italian, French and North African-influenced cuisine.

Some typical dishes

• ƒ†bejniet: These small, round cheeses made from sheep's or goat's milk are often served marinated in olive oil or fresh as a snack.

• Ftira: A Maltese version of a flatbread sandwich, usually filled with tuna, capers, tomatoes and olives.

Meat dishes

• Fenek Moqli: Rabbit stew is considered Malta's national dish, slow-cooked with garlic, wine and herbs for a tender and flavourful meal.

• Bragioli: Known as beef olives, these are thin slices of beef stuffed with breadcrumbs, egg and herbs and slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Torta tal-lampuki: Served lukewarm, this traditional fish pie typically features lampuki (dolphinfish) mixed with olives and spinach.

• Aljotta: Bulked out with rice, this hearty fish soup combines rockfish or other small fish, fried onions, garlic and tomatoes.

Street food

• Imqaret: These traditional Maltese deep-fried date-filled pastries are a street food favourite.

• Pastizz: Filled with peas or ricotta, these flaky filo pastries are two a penny on street corners.

Sweets and desserts

• Ottijiet: Twisted into a distinctive figure eight, these spicy, shortbread biscuits are perfect for dunking.

• Pudina tal-hob≈º: A Maltese spin on British bread pudding, soaked bread, eggs, cocoa, nuts and dried fruit with warm spices and orange zest.

Local drinks

• Kinnie: A tangy mix of bitter oranges, aromatic herbs and wormwood extracts, this carbonated soft drink is one of those drinks you'll love or hate.

• Cisk lager: Made by the island's big boy brewery, this malty lager has a mild bitterness and a clean finish.