Valletta Thing To Do

Beaches and Watersports
There are plenty of beaches within easy reach of Valletta. Most are rocky but the sea is warm, beautifully clear and perfect for swimming, snorkelling and diving. The sandy beach at Mellieha Bay, to the north of the island, is probably the best spot for windsurfing and there are excellent watersports facilities here and at most of the islands resorts.

Diving
Malta is a diver’s paradise, with some of the best visibility in the Med and temperatures that never drop below 13/14ºC and rise to 23º in summer, making it a year-round destination. The island is an excellent place to learn – there are plenty of dive centres near Valletta - yet it has sea life, caves, crevices, coral reefs and sunken ships that will excite the most experienced diver.

Exploring the City
As well as calling it ‘A city built by gentlemen for gentlemen’, Disraeli also believed ‘Valletta equals in its noble architecture, if it does not excel, any capital in Europe’. A World Heritage site, an exploration of the capital’s imposing Cathedral, its churches, fortresses, palaces and timber-balconied houses take the visitor back through 400 years of history. Valletta rises steeply above two harbours –the Grand Harbour in particular provides stunning views - and walking through its narrow streets will reveal statues, fountains, magnificent gardens and plenty of interesting bars and restaurants.

Boat Trips
A trip around Valletta’s aptly named Grand Harbour, with its superb views, is a must. You could take the 90-minute tour boat and enjoy a commentary or you could explore aboard a Dghajsa, a traditional fishing boat. In contrast, modern catamarans can speed you to Sicily, home of Mount Etna, for a day trip.

Gozo and Comino
The islands of Gozo and Comino are just a short boat trip away. Tiny Comino offers peace, relaxation and the stunning Blue Lagoon, while Gozo has an impressive capital, Victoria, the Ggantija temples, which are amongst the world’s oldest man-made structures, the legendary Calypso’s Cave and plenty of stunning scenery.

The Three Cities
Just across from Valetta’s waterfront lie the Three Cities: Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. The original home of the Knights of St John, they offer a glimpse into the island’s past.

Nightlife
If you want excitement, clubs and packed bars, you may have to take a short taxi ride to Sliema or St Julians, where you’ll find Paceville, the place for real hedonists. But if you’re looking for a smart, harbourside bar, a relaxed tavern or an authentic Maltese restaurant, Valletta has plenty to offer.

Festas and culture
Valletta has everything from religious festas, including the Feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck, to jazz and rock festivals. From theatre and opera – for which the Baroque Manoel theatre is a particularly impressive venue – to Napoleonic re-enactments.