The long streets allow the sea air to travel around the city and let the light in around the tall buildings. You might notice the streets are on a grid system like New York City and it’s no coincidence. Valletta is such a walkable city and it would be completely possible to walk up and down every single street if you wanted to! That gorgeous limestone brick can be found all over Valletta (and the rest of the country). There has been some criticism of the untraditional facades from locals but, personally, I like the idea that Valletta is developing its own identity. Valletta’s city gate, walls, Royal Opera House and Parliament building (which both sit just behind the gate) were all designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano in 2013, making use of Malta’s abundance of limestone. It was like entering an ultra-modern medieval city, if that makes any sense at all. I still remember the first time I saw the imposing city walls and tall, striking gate. Valletta certainly knows how to make a good first impression. Marvel at the Valletta City Gate and new Parliament building You download it and listen to it on your phone so you can explore at your own pace but it’s like having a guide in your pocket! Much better than reading from a guide book and nicer than joining a big group tour! 1. If you like to explore alone but love having the knowledge of a guide then I highly recommend this audio guide for Valetta. Here are all the top things to do in Valletta including the beautiful historical sites that helped the entire city become a UNESCO World Heritage site as well as the new modern touches which make Malta’s capital city a true up-and-coming place to visit. With Valletta being 2018’s European Capital of Culture, there’s never been a better time to visit Malta’s capital city. With somewhere like Malta, it is completely realistic to experience all the best things to do in Valletta in a short space of time, at a leisurely pace. I end up saying “I’ll do that next time” but the truth is I’d rather see new places. The trouble with city breaks in big cities like Rome or Paris is that I end up with a list of sites, museums, restaurants and activities that make accomplishing everything I’d like to do impossible in one weekend. In fact, I’d say Valletta is only going to increase in popularity with tourists who are seeking an abundance of historical sites and the best restaurants and bars all within walking distance. Stretching a tiny 1km long by 600m wide, you might be surprised to find there are plenty of things to do in Valletta for such a small city. Narrow side streets are full of tiny quaint shops and cafés, while Valletta’s main streets are lined with larger international branded shops for fashion, music, jewellery and much more.Valletta is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe, not to mention one of the most breathtakingly picturesque. Hosting a vast cultural programme, walking around Valletta you’ll come across an intriguing historical site around every corner: votive statues, niches, fountains and coats of arms high up on parapets. The grid of narrow streets boasts some of Europe’s finest art works, churches and palaces. The city is busy by day, yet retains a timeless atmosphere. Today, it is one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. It is the “ modern” city built by the Knights of St John a masterpiece of the Baroque a European Art City and a World Heritage City. Started in 1566, Valletta with its impressive bastions, forts and cathedral, was completed in the astonishingly short time of 15 years.Valletta has many titles, all recalling its rich historical past. John, Jean Parisot de la Valette. The magnificent fortress city grew on the arid rock of Mount Sceberras peninsula, which rises steeply from two deep harbours, Marsamxett and Grand Harbour. Valletta is named after its founder, the respected Grand Master of the Order of St. These are some of the names given to Malta’s capital city: a living, working city, the administrative and commercial heart of the Islands. Valletta, The Fortress City, Citta’ Umilissima, “ A city built by gentlemen for gentlemen”.
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