City break in Valletta | 4 days of culture in Malta’s Baroque capital, featuring Caravaggio and the Grand Harbour

Day 1: Valletta, here we come!

You’ll fly directly from Brussels to Malta. All flights depart in the evening, so you’ll arrive in Malta quite late. A taxi will be waiting for you and will take you to your hotel in the city, where your room key will already be waiting for you.

Day 2: Centuries-old houses and charming streets

Waking up in the heart of impressive Valletta – it doesn’t get any better than this. After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to explore the city. During a guided walk with a private guide, you’ll discover the most beautiful spots and learn all about this stunning city. The city is a gem, but don’t forget to look up now and then, as most of the buildings here have beautiful façades with unique ornamentation. In the afternoon, visit the Upper Barraka Gardens. In these 16th-century gardens, you can relax for a while whilst enjoying a spectacular view of the Grand Harbour and The Three Cities. Just below the Upper Barraka Gardens, you’ll discover the Saluting Battery, where cannons fire ceremonial salutes every day at 12 noon and 4 pm. It’s impressive to see. In the early evening, you’ll board a schooner – a type of sailing ship – because Valletta is also a must-see from the water.

Day 3: The Three Cities and the extravagant Saint John’s Co-Cathedral

After a refreshing night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, you’ll spend the morning in the Three Cities. You’ll cross the Grand Harbour by water taxi to reach the Three Cities. You’ll visit the imposing Three Cities by ‘rolling geek’. This is a self-driving electric car, complete with pre-programmed GPS that not only takes you on the perfect tour but also explains what you’re looking at. From the famous Malta Film Studios to imposing forts and charming little streets, with every turn of the wheel your talking car tells you about the sights. A visit to Malta isn’t complete without seeing the inside of St John’s Co-Cathedral. Valletta’s jewel is an absolute must-see. The cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and is a stunning example of Baroque architecture. You can see Caravaggio’s world-famous masterpiece ‘The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist’ with your own eyes. Would you like to learn more about the Knights and the Baroque period? Then be sure to visit the Palace of the Grand Masters.

Day 4: A visit to the noble de Piro family and coffee at Caffee Cordina.

If you fancy seeing something other than knights and Grand Masters, a visit to the 16th-century palace Casa Rocca Piccola makes for a lovely end to your city break. The palace belongs to the noble de Piro family, and a large proportion of the more than 50 rooms are open to the public. These rooms contain some of the finest and oldest furniture, silverware and paintings that have been preserved over the past 400 years. The noble house was fortunate enough to survive the heavy bombardments of the Second World War. You can still explore the network of underground tunnels and passageways dating all the way back to the Second World War. And with a bit of luck, you might even get a guided tour from the Marquis himself. Before heading back to Belgium, you simply must stop off at Caffe Cordina for a cup of coffee and a pastry. This legendary coffee house has been around since 1837 and boasts a beautiful historic interior.

Frequently asked questions about this Valletta city break

When is the best time to visit Valletta?

The ideal time to visit Valletta is between April and June or in September and October, when temperatures are pleasant for city walks. During these months, you can enjoy mild sunshine on the terraces, without the intense heat of the summer months of July and August.

Is Valletta easy to explore on foot?

Yes, Valletta is a very compact capital city built on a peninsula, meaning almost all the sights are within a short walking distance of one another. Do bear in mind, however, that the city has many steps and gentle slopes, which adds to its character but makes good walking shoes essential.

What are the absolute must-sees during a short stay in Valletta?

A visit to St John’s Co-Cathedral to see Caravaggio’s art and the Upper Barrakka Gardens for the view over the Grand Harbour are essential. In addition, a crossing to the Three Cities on a traditional boat offers a unique perspective on the impressive defences built by the Knights of the Order of Malta.