self-guided walking tour valletta

2022.07.31
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self-guided walking tour valletta

As you continue your self-guided Valletta walking tour, stop by the earlier mentioned Royal Opera House to the left of the Parliament building. The original statue, due to structural errors, collapsed in 1978. To your left, protecting the entrance of the harbour you find fort Ricasoli, another fortification of the Order. If youre in need of some more info and what to see, do, eat and drink whilst in Malta then pop over to the Tourist Information Centre on Merchants Street. Just a block away from the theatre is the open space of St Georges Square and the imposing facade of the Grandmasters Palace. The peninsula on the left, with Fort San Angelo on the tip, and behind the city of Birgu o Victoriosa. The three cities and Valletta are one of the most fortified areas in Europe. What palace?

Celebrate completing the tour by pulling up a chair at one of the courtyard tables and grabbing something nice to eat and drink. If you have the opportunity to visit the interior don't miss it. Here are a few of the subjects you can learn about on this tour: Although you could just visit and explore this attraction on your own, you might want to consider taking this tour to learn about why its such an important structure in Malta. From what was a small tea shop in Bormla in the 1800s, Cafe Cordina grew into a Valletta icon. The gardens are free of charge and are open from 07.00 am to 22.00 pm in summer and to 20.30 in winter. This self-guided tour will lead you through some of Valletta's main attractions, from the City Gate (remember is a walled city) to the center of the city. Opens usually on Sundays for mass and entrance is free. Adorned with intricate details, embellished dome ceiling and artwork donated by the knights, it was designed to rival the churches of Rome. Nowadays it is still an official building, being the office of the President of Malta. This is one of the most popular tour companies in Malta, and they currently offer an extensive 2 hour tour which provides an introduction to Valletta. Anyone driving can use the main MCP underground car park just outside the city walls on St Anne Street, Floriana.

Keep on going down Merchant street and in the next corner we have on our left the street of the jewellers (St. Lucias Street), where you can easily find a traditional maltese filigree silver cross. Just turning your back to the Queen you are in front of Caffe Cordina, the oldest cafe in the city. It was erected in 1891 to commemorate Queen Victorias 50th Jubilee during British rule, despite her never having visited the country. At this point, you can either carry on following this Valletta city walking tour or stray away to the tranquil Three Cities. At the top of the square (it is a good time as any other to get acquainted to the ups and downs of the city) there are two churches. Continue and turn to your right, where a bigger square appears. FREE TOURS BY FOOT IS THE ORIGINAL PAY-WHAT-YOU-LIKE WALKING TOUR. Key works include those by Southern Italian artist Mattia Preti, British 20th century artist Victor Pasmore and Maltas own top 20th century sculptor Antonio Sciortino. Its an easy and free way to explore if you have just one day in Valletta. It rings out every day at 12 noon in memory of all those who lost their lives during the incessant bombing Malta took during WWII, often known as The Siege of Malta.. But also one of the biggest geniuses in the history of Art, and in the co-cathedral you have the opportunity to admire two of his works: St Jerome writing and his masterpiece The beheading of Saint John, described by many as the greatest painting of the XVII century. It now houses the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta hence the security guards waving away any curious visitors. The Palace you are seeing is not accessible, as nowaday it is in use as the Ministry of foreign affairs (this probably explains the official cars you may be seeing! Pop in and see how they are fighting to restore the intricate Alessio Erardi ceiling paintings. This former gunpowder magazine and armoury is now home to a massive exhibition covering the history of Malta from the bronze age to the 1990s. Despite the controversy, the City Gate project has been instrumental in improving this area into a pleasant and beautiful space for everyone to enjoy. Being a walled city, buses will leave you in Floriana, less than 200 metres from the Triton Fountain, a well known modern landmark just before the entrance of the city. Together protected the Grand Harbour from possible enemies. We recommend our guided free tours of Valletta that operate on the pay-what-you-think-is-worth model. Ask for a Cisk! If you have plans to spend a couple of Hours in Birgu, take the Barrakka Lift from the gardens down to boats across to the Three Cities. Dating from the time of the knights (it could not be other way), Carnival is the main celebration of the islands, and specially in the city of Valletta. The building on your right as you enter Castille, is today a museum Spazju Kreattiv for modern temporal exhibitions and an alternative cinema, but as you can see it was built by the knights as the cavalier of Saint James, to defend the entrance to the city. This is an excellent option for anyone who would prefer to avoid crowds of tour groups or set their own schedule. Just follow the signs to find the gate in. Its located right next to the main Valletta bus terminal and taxi rank if you are taking public transport. Just in front of the Library we have a nicely dressed lady in the centre of the square. From here you can see the Three cities, known as well as Cottonera, first settlement of the Order in Malta and for this reason, the area where the famous Great Siege of Malta mostly occurred. It was originally a palace, used by the Knights of Malta, and now houses the National Archaeology Museum of Malta which is worth a quick look. The Grand Harbour tour boats leisurely pass by showcasing the grandest of the fortifications of Valletta from below. The business dates back to 1837 but the original building dates back much further, as it used to be the Treasury of the Order of Saint John. It is best to set aside two to two and a half hours for walking this route. That said, there is a free pay-what-you-want walking tour available which will lead you through the Co-Cathedral and provide details about the history of this location. Head down the stairs to discover Maltas best-kept secret. Their words, not ours! Head straight over to the terrace and soak up the vista across the Grand Harbour towards the Three Cities of Malta. Completed in 1943, these rooms hidden 150 feet below the city streets were the central hub for directing allied military operations in Malta and the wider Mediterranean. We took about 5 hours, including a lunch break and stopping to enjoy the views. But what you can see for sure is a big building with a neoclassical entrance in the centre, on top of which you can appreciate the coat of arms of the British Empire: that used to be the guard of the palace. Look up at the white marble statue located away from Cafe Cordina and in front of the National Library. Despite being a tourist hotspot the prices are reasonable and the service is snappy. Learn More. Theres the fortified Birgu jutting out into the sea closely guarded by Sanglea (Isla) and Caspiscua (Bormla). The grand entrance will lead you across the bridge and onto the 1 km long Republic Street. Back inside the Upper Barrakka Gardens, youll find some more military history if thats your thing. Main Entrance in San Gwann Street is only for religious functions. The present building dates back to the 1740s in a Baroque style, and it has been called probably the finest building in Malta.. Just turn around so you can admire the Grandmaster's Palace. But, luckily, Mr Piano had a better idea. Here, we turn into the narrow street covered with an arch on our left, Old Theatre Street, leaving the market at your back. This made the city one of the most modern in the world. The former spent 40 years of his life painting in Malta, 6 of them just painting the ceiling of the co-cathedral.

Recently restored by a local NGO, the small chapel decorated by Erardi has recovered the old esplendor. There are a lot of interesting things to see and do in Malta, including several historic landmarks and attractions you might want to visit. The church served as the burial site for Grand Master La Vallette, the 49th GrandMaster and the hero of the Order. One of the most notable works of art and the one tourists flock to Valetta to see is the Beheading of St John the Baptist by Caravaggio. Theres been a place of worship here since 1570 but the current structure only dates from 1958 despite seamlessly blending into the surrounding streets. As you can imagine this was the building where the Grand Masters lived, but also one of the most amazing structures in the island. The Grand Master Valette ask from every langue to choose 2 locations: one for their Aubergue and one for their church, This explain why there are some many churches in the city. This square receives the name for the spectacular building on your left: The Auberge of Castille and Portugal during the time of the Knights, and Office of the Prime Minister today. So much, that this monument is not from the times of the Order, but from 1927, almost 400 years after. In addition to this tour being pay-what-you-wish, they also offer discounts on tickets to St. Johns Co-Cathedral. Theres no shortage of churches to visit in Malta but this one holds a special place for many of the locals. Not only will you learn about some of the most notable locations in these cities, youll also receive tips about where to eat, the best museums to visit, and many other details you might want to consider if youre planning to spend some time in Mdina or Rabat. The name of the square is Republic Square, but in the past was Piazza Regina, what justifies the presence of the queen! Today its home to the office of the President of Malta. Address: Auberge D'Italie. Even though you can not see it from here, at the tip of the peninsula where Valletta is located, we have Fort Saint Elmo. If you visit, be sure to pick up an audio guide to learn all the details about this masterpiece of shadows. Standing on stilts at Republic Square, Renzo Pianos masterpiece blends in well with the rest of the monuments surrounding the area. Today it is used by the italian community and masses are in italian. Probably a good first picture as a memento of the day. Turn to your right with the Royal opera House. Getting around in Valletta is pretty easy, remember the city is built like a grid, on top of Mount Sciberras and it is located in half of a peninsula with a length of 1.5 km and a width of 1 km. Malta is a well known paradise for film-makers, as many super productions have been filmed around and in the harbour some examples are Gladiator, Troy, Agora or Games of Thrones. Entrance for both of these can be found on Old Theatre Street to the right of the building. This is your final stop on your self-guided Valletta walking tour.

A little further along Meddeteranian Street, sticking out at the very end of Valletta, youll find Fort St Elmo. This is the Courts of Justice of Malta, built by the British, but still in use. It is also likely that, if you visit during summer, the square will be full of flags, to celebrate one or another festa, the Maltese holy days to honour the local Saints. After youve admired the circular Triton Fountain, step into the city of Valletta through the controversial yet grand Valletta City Gate. Shes therefore credited with single-handedly reviving the old tradition of lace-making on the Maltese islands at a time of need. This unusual Royal Theatre is another site brought to life after sitting derelict for years as a carpark in Maltas capital city. If you want to take a quick detour on this Valletta walking tour then check out Hastings Garden. Main historic features such as the main staircase have been rebuilt in contemporary material . This type of tour is best for anyone who wants to learn about more than just one landmark or subject, as an introductory tour covers a variety of attractions and offers tips about the best museums, places to eat, and more. Actually another Palazzo Parisio can be found in Malta, in the village of Naxxar, in the centre of the island. On the right side from the Three Cities we can appreciate the dockyards of the Order, still in use, once they have been modernised into dry docks. Next on your Valletta city walking tour is another sight regarded as too contemporary by the many critics the New Parliament Building. There are 50+ lavishly decorated rooms to explore and the included 45-minute guided tour will take you down to the hidden bomb shelters and tranquil gardens too. Remains of the old ravelin can be seen in the floor in front of the gate, under a glass. You can walk into the main courtyard, which is a public space in its own right, to discover the beauty of the building or explore the culinary experience at its bespoke cafeteria and restaurant serving dishes inspired by and branded to complement the collection on display. This stretches the full length of the city from the gate, all the way down to the Fort St Elmo at Vallettas waterfront. The display is surprisingly unusual as it juxtaposes old masters with contemporary artworks, groups artworks and objects in ways similar to contemporary art installations, presents techniques on videos and interactive experiences complement objects and artworks on display. Would you rather explore Valletta by yourself or with a local guide? The north section houses MPs rooms while the south holds parliament offices. Due to Covid-19 opening times may change and it is advisable to check prior to visiting. This is a very important monument for various reasons. Represents the Order of St John (central figure) defending Malta and the catholicism (the two femenine figures). If you do, a last tip: compare the simple mannerist facade with the lavish inside, and you will probably have the best resume of Valletta.

This attraction focuses instead on their work in the Holy Infirmary, which once stood on this site, treating the sick and injured of the Crusades of the 1500s. The latter, as we mentioned earlier, is run by locals who can even give you a quick 1-hour Grand Harbour tour for a few euros extra. Only 7 remained when they built Valletta. Now you definitely can understand why the street is called Merchants: waiters calling you over to their restaurants, while on both sides of the streets, ground floors are full of shops. Head back down the monument steps and along Mediterranean Street and seek out the Mediterranean Conference Center on the corner of North Street. Just head up the steps on the left as you enter the city. The Three cities are the two peninsulas just in front of you. The entrance is just to the right of the monument to the Great Siege. Head back towards the waterfront along St Lucias Street and hang a left on St Paul Street just before the steps. You are now standing at the back of the theatre in an open area with a monument dedicated to Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, founder of the city and 46th ruler of the Order of Malta. This ravelin was used to protect the entrance from the artillery of besiegers. You are now looking at what was the centre of power of the island for centuries. Main streets are wider and side streets are narrower and if you get lost it will take you 30 seconds to find your way: Just walk, with the sea at your back, to the main street of the city Republic Street. Remember to wear comfortable shoes but try to avoid leather soles. The monument was erected during her Jubilee and, although slightly displaced during the war, remains until today. Santa catherina was the church of the Italian langue. Its a lovely spot to take a load off and escape the busier streets of Valletta. This free ghost tour starts at Triton Fountain and moves on to some of the lesser visited alleys in Valletta. La Valette laid the first stone of the city with his own two hands in 1566 but, unfortunately, died before the city was finished. Something we can easily notice from this viewpoint. The view across the Grand Harbour from here is no less impressive though. In this case, we are not standing here for the appearance of the palazzo but due to its history: this very same palace was the living quarters of Napoleon the seven days he spent on our islands after conquering them and kicking the knights off.

Three grand bronze Tritons holding a huge basin of water above their heads stand proudly outside the main gates of Maltas capital. Today, its a nice spot to grab some rare peace on the busy Maltese islands. Come closer to look at the ornate shawl covering Queens lap its made from Maltese lace. Pop in the entrance regardless as you can wander around one of the two palace courtyards for free. Although it looks a bit like a Roman ruin, the columns are the remnants of the once grand exterior. This recreational space is dedicated to the British General Francis Marquis of Hastings who was a Governor of Malta during the British period on the island. With its striking interior, mouth-watering cakes and pastini, the cafe, located in an old palazzo, is a popular coffee pitstop for both locals and visitors. Built as a home for the Grandmaster (ruler of Malta) in the 16th century, its been used and altered by various occupants every since. Triton's fountain. The co-cathedral is open from Monday to Saturdays between 9:300hrs and 14:30hrs. Most of the private palazzos are still today in private hands. You shouldnt leave Valletta without visiting the two-tier Upper Barrakka Gardens. We are surprised too) and the remains in front of you, belonging to the Royal Opera House, the neoclassical theatre built by the British which was bombarded during WWII, are all in its present state part of a plan by the italian architect Renzo Piano to remodel the entrance of the city. The view from the upper level is probably the most satisfying on the island. For instance, the first building to your left on the corner is the Church of Saint James, built and used by the knights from Castille and Portugal, and another great example of Baroque. Valletta, Entrance fee: Adults 6 ; Seniors/students 4.50 Children 3.00. The lower tier of the Barrakka Gardens houses the Saluting Battery, overlooking Fort St. Angelo. Further along, here youll see the side of The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the right side of the street. Inconspicuous from the outside, stepping through the door here will transport you into the 16th- century palace of a noble Maltese family. This post will provide details about the best free walking tours you can take in Malta, including information about both guided and self-guided options. Valletta is lively even after dark, with people sitting in terraces and squares, enjoying the fantastic Mediterranean weather, and it is safe day and night, therefore you can walk around the city at any time. This company offers one of the best deals on a tour of St. Johns Co-Cathedral. The original structure dates back to the times of the knights, but this modern one is a reconstruction of a posterior market built by the British, as the main food market in the city, where the majority of the population of Valletta used to do their daily shopping. But thanks to the local artist and restorator, Kenneth Cauchi, the fountain was dismantled into 54 pieces and then brought back to life as an elaborate piece of art. Luckily, Palazzo Ferreria survived WWII and today houses shops at street level and government offices on top. The square is the main square of the capital and where most of the celebrations take place. The tour itself is approximately 1 hour long, and its available every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Even though underneath is full of prisons, today these have been converted into archives and peculiarly enough, in an interesting revest, today houses the Ministry for Health, Ministeru tas Sahha in maltese, very important word, since Sahha it means health, it is used to say bye and to make a toast. Actually, for a long time it was the biggest building in the city, and the only one with a clock. You can take this tour every Friday at 19:30 (7:30 pm), which also makes it an excellent option for a free night tour. Theres a heavy focus on World War II with the St Georges Cross which Malta received for its pivotal role in the allied victory, proudly on display. Follow the map to find it, its annoyingly tucked away and non-signposted for a tourist office, but hey, at least it wont be busy! Nothing special on the exterior, all the magic is hidden inside. Remember that Valletta is a military fortified city, therefore water was an essential resource, not to waste in vanalities. The construction took almost 5 years and the tritons were cast in bronze in an italian foundry. Walk down the street to the next crossing. Thankfully, there are many different tour options to consider which cover different areas and subjects. The fountain is located right in the centre of a large square in front of the City Gate, till few years ago, surrounded by buses, since this was the main central bus station of Malta.

The guns usually fire daily at 12pm and 4pm. You are now standing in the main artery of the city: Republic Street. The knights of the Order of St. John had vows of chastity, poverty, service to the poor and the sick amongst others. Merchant Street. Right beside the gardens, youll see a giant bell hanging in a simple memorial tower overlooking the Grand Harbour. The Triton fountain was constructed in 1959, by a Maltese sculptor, Vincent Apap, and his inspirations were the fountains in the Roman squares. ), but if you want to visit a traditional Maltese palazzo, the homonymous one in Naxxar is known as the little Versailles of Malta, and it is a memorable visit. It also overlooks the Manoel Island and Marsamxett Harbour. Castille Square is also one of those highlights you cannot miss when visiting the city at night, with its beautiful illumination. Finally, if you want to explore some of the most notable sites outside of Valletta, consider taking a tour of Mdina and Rabat to see another side of Malta. This stunning venue has been hosting performances since 19th January 1732. Pretty much next door to the church, standing on Old Theatre Street, is Europes third-oldest working theatre. We have just finished your self guided walking tour of Valletta. Today, it hosts the Fine Arts Museum, MUA, acronym for Muew Nazzjonali tal-Arti, in MAltese. The Palace Armoury is open from Thursdays to Sundays between 10:00hrs and 16:30hrs.

La Valette, was a French knight, who became Grand Master (ruler of the Order) and has gone down in history as one of the heroes of the knighthood, after commanding the resistance against the Ottoman Empire at the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.