Top Things To Do & Must-See Attractions in Valletta, Malta
Travel Gentlemen only had a day in Valletta, but it was enough to understand why people rave about this city. Everything is close: gardens with huge views, stepped streets full of character, cafés that pull you in, and a waterfront that slows you down naturally. Valletta is compact, warm, and easy to enjoy without overthinking the itinerary.
These six things were the highlights of our visit. Straightforward, memorable, and perfect if you want a simple but rewarding day exploring Malta’s capital.
Valetta’s 6 Top Things To Do
1. Take in the Grand Harbour views from Upper Barrakka Gardens
Upper Barrakka Gardens was our first stop of the day, and honestly, it was the smartest decision we made. We arrived early when the gardens were still quiet and had a few peaceful minutes to enjoy the Grand Harbour view before it got busy. Within half an hour, the place filled up quickly. The gardens overlook the Three Cities, Valletta’s fortifications, and the harbour – the most impressive viewpoint in the city.
What Not to Miss
- Standing at the terrace wall for the full panorama
- Looking down at the Saluting Battery
- A wander through the arches and statues
Website
Opening Times
07:00–22:00 daily
How to Get There
Take the Barrakka Lift for €2 and it’s a 2 minute walk as you get out of the lift.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Come early. Valletta wakes up fast, and this spot feels completely different before the crowds arrive.
2. Watch the cannons fire at the Saluting Battery
The Saluting Battery sits just below Upper Barrakka. We arrived a little late and the area was already packed with spectators waiting for the noon firing. Even so, the build-up made it better. The sound is loud, the smoke drifts beautifully across the water, and everyone jumps more than they expect. The echo across the harbour is dramatic and memorable.
What Not to Miss
- Arriving early for the front railing
- Listening to the short history talk
- Watching the smoke roll outward after the shot
Website
Opening Times
Mon-Sat: 10:00-16:30; Last admission is 16:30.
How To Get There
Accessible from Upper Barrakka Gardens.
Cost
Adults – €3; Child – €1
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Stand facing the harbour. It’s by far the best angle for photos and for the noise.
3. Wander through the streets of Old Town
Old Town Valletta is full of stepped streets, tight alleys, balconies, small churches, and hidden corners. We loved the bibliotecas, the little museums, and the older buildings that still feel lived-in. We even passed the statue of Queen Victoria in the centre of Old Town, which became a useful landmark as we wandered. Some of our travel highlights were seeing unusual art installations in quiet alleys, small galleries and of course, a bit of shopping!
What Not to Miss
- Merchant Street and Republic Street
- Side streets for photos
- A visit at the Cathedral
Opening Times
Streets are always open but shops generally operate between 10:00-19:00.
How to Get There
Walk straight in from City Gate.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: The steps add up. Valletta is small but it’s not flat, so pace yourself with short café stops.
4. Drink bespoke cocktails at Cafe Society
Cafe Society is one of Valletta’s better-known independent cocktail bars, tucked away on Triq San Gwann overlooking Marsamxett Harbour. It’s not a new spot – it has built a loyal following over the years among locals, creatives, and travellers who prefer relaxed, character-filled bars over big commercial venues. The bar is known for its music-led atmosphere, occasional DJ nights, and a naturally mixed crowd. It’s also considered LGBTQ-friendly, with an easygoing environment where everyone feels welcome. The steps outside have become part of its identity, giving it that laid-back, open-air feel that suits Valletta perfectly.
Cafe Society was our favourite stop of the day. The vibe is undeniably cool – stone steps for seating, harbour views, and some of the friendliest staff we met. They were playing Portuguese and Spanish songs when we arrived, which made the atmosphere feel incredibly relaxed. This was our clear favourite because we love cocktails, and the drinks were genuinely excellent.
What Not to Miss
- A house cocktail or a classic Negroni
- Sitting outside rather than indoors
- Check their Instagram account for music nights
Opening Times
Monday-Saturday 12:00-01:00; Sunday 18:00-01:00
How to Get There
From City Gate, it takes about 10-12 minutes to walk down to the waterfront at a relaxed pace. If you’re on Republic Street, you’re even closer – around 6-8 minutes depending on where you start. The walk is mostly downhill on the way there, and you can take the Barrakka Lift back up if you don’t fancy the climb.
13 Triq San Gwann, Valletta
Cost
Cocktails €10-€14; Beer/wine €5-€7
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Ask the bar staff for bespoke cocktails depending on your preference. Try the Orson Welles, Cuban Gringo and Agua de los Perros too.
5. Enjoy coffee and pastizzi at the historic Caffe Cordina
Caffe Cordina is one of Valletta’s oldest and most recognisable cafés, dating back to 1837. It originally started as a family-run confectionery in Cospicua before relocating to Republic Street, where it eventually expanded into the grand café it is today. The building itself forms part of the historic Casa Del Comun Tesoro, and a lot of the original character is still visible – ornate ceilings, traditional Maltese design, and a sense that the place has always been busy.
Cordina is known for its pastries, cakes, traditional Maltese sweets, gelato, and pastizzi, but they also serve light meals, coffee classics, and their own branded liqueurs. The pastry counter is huge, and the choice can be slightly overwhelming in the best way.
It gets very busy from late morning through mid-afternoon, especially between 11am and 3pm when tourists and locals overlap. We arrived around 2pm, and we were lucky to grab a table outside. They don’t take reservations for small tables – it’s walk-in only – so timing is everything. If you want a guaranteed seat, come early morning or later in the afternoon when the crowds thin out.
What Not to Miss
- Cheese or pea pastizz
- Cortado (they do it well)
- A pastry if you want something sweet
Website
Opening Times
Monday-Saturday 07:30-22:00; Sunday 07:30-15:00
How to Get There
Caffe Cordina is on Republic Street near St George’s Square.
244 Republic, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1114
Cost
You’re most likely to spend €5-15 per person for drinks and cakes.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Don’t miss out on the cheesy or meaty pastizza. It’s worth it!
6. Admire the Valletta Waterfront views
The Valletta Waterfront is lined with colourful 18th-century warehouses and a long promenade overlooking the harbour. After a full day of walking the city, wandering down the waterfront was the perfect way to end the day. There are plenty of restaurants here – Bistro 516, Hard Rock Café, Brown’s Kitchen, Cargo – offering everything from casual drinks to full meals. We had a glass of wine and a lemonade here as the sun went down.
What Not to Miss
- Drinks facing the harbour
- Sunset on the promenade
- Admire the colourful warehouses
Website
Opening Times
The Promenade is open all day but opening times of restaurants vary. Check the website above.
How to Get There
Take the Barrakka Lift down. It’s so quick and scenic.
Cost
Free to wander around. Dining at restaurants will cost you around €15 and more per person.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Chcek out their events schedule before heading there.
About Valletta, Malta
We’d heard so much about Valletta before visiting, and finally getting to go felt overdue. The city blends Mediterranean warmth with Italian and British influences, all wrapped inside a fortified 16th-century layout built by the Knights of St John. Straight streets, lookout points, limestone buildings, old auberges, Baroque churches – everything sits close together, making the city feel dense with history but easy to explore.
For a short break (a day or a long weekend), Valletta is exactly the right size: walkable, interesting, and full of small details that stick with you long after you leave.
Valletta’s Climate: Best Time to Visit?
We visited during summer (in June) and it was hot. We had a few stops at some bars to help us cool down.
Valletta’s weather changes by season. Spring (April-June) is ideal, sitting around 18-25°C (64-77°F) with comfortable walking weather and bright evenings. Summer (July-August) heats up fast, often reaching 30-34°C (86-93°F) – great for sun lovers but tougher on the steps.
Autumn (September-October) is another sweet spot, usually 24-28°C (75-82°F) with warm nights and fewer crowds. Winter stays mild at 12-17°C (54-63°F), making Valletta an easy off-season city break if you prefer quieter streets.
If you prefer warm but manageable weather, spring and autumn are the best times to come.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Don’t forget your sunprotection lotions at the height of summer.
How to Get to Valletta
Travelling from Europe or the UK to Malta is straightforward. Malta International Airport (MLA) has direct flights from major cities including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Dublin, Rome, Berlin, Paris, and Madrid. We flew in from Europe and found the airport small, efficient, and easy to navigate.
From the airport, Valletta is only 15-20 minutes away. Taxis or ride-hailing apps cost about €20–€25 and are the simplest option. Buses are cheaper but slower – fine if you’re not in a rush.
If you’re staying in Sliema or across the harbour, the ferry into Valletta is a great choice. The view alone is worth it, and it drops you right by the Barrakka Lift.
For UK travellers, Valletta works perfectly as a weekend break – short flights, mild winters, and a walkable capital that doesn’t overwhelm.
In Summary
Valletta left a lasting impression on us. For a city this small, it delivers big views, good food, relaxed drinks, and streets that are genuinely fun to wander. We only had a day here, but it was enough to make us talk about coming back next year for a longer stay.
From that first quiet moment at Upper Barrakka to the cocktails at Cafe Society and the waterfront walk at sunset, Valletta felt effortless from start to finish – the kind of city that stays with you long after you leave.
