Valletta, Malta

Valletta is the de facto capital of Malta, even though it is not its largest city.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 35 minutes from the International Airport, Valletta has been the scene of many battles in the history of Malta as well as famous sieges.

Construction of the walled Maltese capital of Valletta by the Knights of St John was started in 1566 following the Turkish invasion of Malta the previous year. Take a walking tour around the old city and you will see history in the stones. There is always some reconstruction going on - so be prepared to put up with scaffolding in your photos.

The new city of Valletta, laid out in a basic grid pattern, was named after Grand Master La Vallette, and soon acquired streets lined with ornate churches and palaces.

Largely free of cars, today's Valletta is a joy to discover, with its wealth of historical buildings and unusual streets of steps.

A busy city by day and a haven for cafes, restaurants and wine bars by night.

Places to visit or things to see in Valletta:

City Gate

- A historic fortress dating from before the Great Siege

Fort Saint Elmo - Alarme! Military Re-enactment

Fort Saint Elmo - In Guardia Military Re-enactment

The Archaeology Museum

The Fine Arts Museum

The Manoel Theatre (Old Theatre Street)

The National War Museum

The Grandmasters' Palace

Auberge de Castille and Portugal

The Palace Armoury

St John's Co-Cathedral - Built by the Knights in 1577. The marble floor is covered with the coats of arms of the Knights whose tombs are in the caves. Here you can see the 'priceless' Caravaggio - The Beheading of St John.

Upper Barrakka Gardens (View Point)