Things to do in Valletta, Malta
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Malta's capital makes a great city break with sun, sea, history... and shopping.
Shopping
For a taste of authentic Maltese shopping, visit the open-air market in Merchants Street in the capital. You’ll find a variety of fresh food, local drinks and fancy craft things.
It’s only open in the morning, so get there well before noon to get bargains. On Sundays, the market is held outside the town walls, but it is accessible by bus. Sample some of the locally-made nougat, as it is a Maltese speciality and takes you back to a childhood where fillings were the norm. And when you need a break Valletta Trabuxu is a lively wine bar serving excellent food with great service.
Gardens
For those that love getting close to nature, take a stroll around the Upper Barrakka Gardens. They have been recently restored and enjoy magnificent views of the Grand Harbour and of the Three Cities.
There are also some stunning statues, most notably the bronze monument by Antonio Sciortino known as "Les Gavroches" (street urchins). It shows three children hurrying forward and depicts the hardship faced at the turn of the 20th century.
Heritage
A visit to the St John's Cathedral in Valletta is a must. It was built after the Dowager Queen Adelaide, widow of King William IV visited the island between 1838-39. Mattia Preti was responsible for the magnificent baroque interior, the painted ceiling illustrating the life of St John, the altarpiece and the side altars with scenes from the life of St John. Some of the best paintings in the side chapels are also by Preti.
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