self-guided walking tour valletta

Take a wander along St Christophers Street and take a left when you reach Old Mint Street. Maltese spend the whole year preparing floats and dances for the parades that take place that week. valletta siege square landmarks tour gpsmycity

Turn to your right with the Royal opera House.

Despite being a tourist hotspot the prices are reasonable and the service is snappy. Back inside the Upper Barrakka Gardens, youll find some more military history if thats your thing.

malta valletta grandmaster birgu valletta getyourguide valeta secretos descubrimiento cuadrados spelletje pleinen spookverhalen geheime Castille Square is also one of those highlights you cannot miss when visiting the city at night, with its beautiful illumination. Youll find it just past the Church of Our Lady of Victories towards Upper Barrakka Gardens. Despite its relatively plain exterior, a quick look inside will show you why St. Johns Co-Cathedral is considered to be one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. valletta If youve got the time then its a great place to get a handle on the complete history of the islands.

There are also ghost tours which take place at night and offer a look at the creepier side of Valletta, including tales of legends, paranormal activity, murder, plague and more.

Thankfully, there are many different tour options to consider which cover different areas and subjects.

The Parliament is the most modern building in Valletta and that is exactly the reason many citizens are not very happy with it.

Our lady of Victories on the right and Santa Catherina of Italy on the left.

Before the bomb hit and severely damaged the precious Maltese site during WWII, the Royal Opera House was regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in Valletta. This is the Courts of Justice of Malta, built by the British, but still in use.

MUA is open from Thursdays to Sundays between 10:00hrs and 16:30hrs.

The former spent 40 years of his life painting in Malta, 6 of them just painting the ceiling of the co-cathedral.

You can see one of the reasons just in the centre: a modern fountain without a basin where, if your visit is during summer, for sure a number of kids (and grown ups) are playing and refreshing. floriana malta bombes

Over 200 have been filmed in Malta in the last 80 years.

The public garden at the top tier contains beautiful arches built by the Italian knights and a number of monuments commemorating several famous people including Sir Winston Churchill.

Back on our self-guided walking tour, head two streets over and back onto the main shopping drag of Republic Street.

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. Here, we turn into the narrow street covered with an arch on our left, Old Theatre Street, leaving the market at your back.

Explore the capital city of Malta with our self-guided Valletta walking tour.

Remember the city was built by the knights of St John sponsored with European funds from the main kings of the Old Continent in 1566, to stand a new attack of the Ottomans , after the Great Siege of Malta.

As you probably know, Valletta is the only UNESCO capital of Europe. If you need some help finding the most notable locations in Malta, you may want to consider taking a free walking tour.

(By the time we are writing this piece the palace is undergoing a huge refurbishment, so check before visiting). Retrace your steps to Merchant Street and walk down the street. The Parliament, the new City Gate (yes, you are right, there is no gate.

In the next corner, Merchant street with St John Street (Triq il Merkanti with Triq San Gwann), we have on our right, another baroque administrative building of the Order of Malta, Castellania, used as a Court of Justice. floriana malta bombes The view from the upper level is probably the most satisfying on the island.

The grand entrance will lead you across the bridge and onto the 1 km long Republic Street.

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.

We move to the terrace at the end of the gardens, from where we can see the Great Harbour, considered the biggest natural harbour in Europe, and the reason for so many civilizations establishing in Malta: Phoenicians, Romans,Arabs, French, Spanish, BritishThey all have been interested in controlling the islands but, specially, the Harbour. valletta merchant street market landmarks tour gpsmycity guided self Here sits the Church of St. Pauls Shipwreck, one of Vallettas oldest structures, dating back to the 1570s. Youll also see tiny Traditional Maltese fishing boats bobbing up and down the harbour crewed by the local folk. Triton was Poseidon's son in Greek mythology and Neptune's son in Roman mythology.

As a thank you, you'll receive our free itinerary planner. floriana guided 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.

Its a shame that the virus has closed doors to many attractions worth seeing, but luckily Valletta has several good lookout points.

If you would like information about this important and exciting event for the Maltese and the islands or the history (and secrets) of these Crusade knights who became the champions of Christendom don't hesitate to join us for a free tour.

We took about 5 hours, including a lunch break and stopping to enjoy the views. Built as a home for the Grandmaster (ruler of Malta) in the 16th century, its been used and altered by various occupants every since.

In the monument, he is holding the plans of the city in one hand and the sword of victory in the other. Valletta, Entrance fee: Adults 5 Euros; Seniors/students 3.50 Children 2.50.

Originally, the Maltese government proposed to clear the site for the Parliament buildings instead. 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.

The Three cities are the two peninsulas just in front of you.

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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.

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.

Just enter the city through the City Gate, just behind the Triton fountain, but take a few minutes to observe the impressive curtain walls, bastions and the ditch protecting the city.

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. From what was a small tea shop in Bormla in the 1800s, Cafe Cordina grew into a Valletta icon.

Being the second most important street of the city, we can see here the monumentality of the administrative buildings of the order.

floriana wedrinkeattravel valletta 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.

Opposite to MUA you find Palazzo Parisio.

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This is a very important monument for various reasons. So much, that this monument is not from the times of the Order, but from 1927, almost 400 years after. This free pay-what-you-wish walking tour provides details about both paranormal activity and true tales of murder, massacre, and plague.

The three cities and Valletta are one of the most fortified areas in Europe. This is one of the most famous landmarks in Malta, and you will need a ticket to enter. The tour itself is approximately 1 hour long, and its available every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

So our guided tour starts under the Parliament.

And why not a local beer? ), 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.

Most of the private palazzos are still today in private hands. 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.

valletta guided The most stunning feature, without any doubt, is the marble facade.

The guns usually fire daily at 12pm and 4pm. The Palace Armoury is open from Thursdays to Sundays between 10:00hrs and 16:30hrs.

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In the 70's the plate on top of the Tritons was used as a stage for performances, and since this plate was just holding on the demigods, 2 of them were damaged. Just turning your back to the Queen you are in front of Caffe Cordina, the oldest cafe in the city.

This simple structure was one of the most common ways of imparting justice.

It was refurbished just in time to celebrate Vallettas stint as European Capital of Culture in 2018 and is a popular spot to hang out at any time of the day or night. valletta maptrotting This monumental building was built by the Order to keep their great collection of books, but also important documents, like the family tree of the members.

The construction took almost 5 years and the tritons were cast in bronze in an italian foundry.

Hidden below the conference centre is The Knights Hospitallers, an exhibition detailing the medical beginnings of the Order of St John. This is an excellent option for anyone who would prefer to avoid crowds of tour groups or set their own schedule.

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.

Since both cities are walled, they overgrown out of their main gates into what today is Bormla or Cospicua, the city inside the creek between the two peninsulas that eventually was walled too.

Recently restored by a local NGO, the small chapel decorated by Erardi has recovered the old esplendor. Thats what Valletta entrance was like before 2015 not so grand! Just past St Dominic Street on the left, youll see a sign for Casa Rocca Piccola.

This stretches the full length of the city from the gate, all the way down to the Fort St Elmo at Vallettas waterfront.

Walk Republic Street, keeping the cafe on your right and Republic Square on your left. Further along, here youll see the side of The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the right side of the street.

MUA is also the Maltese word for inspiration. Its a relaxing spot so, be sure to sit on a bench next to the fountain for a couple of minutes. Remains of the old ravelin can be seen in the floor in front of the gate, under a glass. If youre looking for a general overview of Valletta, these tours provide information about multiple locations in the city, allowing you to learn about important sites in the capital of Malta.

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In addition to this tour being pay-what-you-wish, they also offer discounts on tickets to St. Johns Co-Cathedral.

Nowadays it is still an official building, being the office of the President of Malta.

After youve admired the circular Triton Fountain, step into the city of Valletta through the controversial yet grand Valletta City Gate.

Remember our past as a British colony, which puts into perspective the tea and the telephone boots (take this past into consideration when crossing the streets!).

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.

valletta triton fountain landmarks tour malta gpsmycity

Head back down the monument steps and along Mediterranean Street and seek out the Mediterranean Conference Center on the corner of North Street.

We also have a tour of the Dark side of Valletta in the late evening, so you can see the citys beauty at night, discover different streets, stories and its nightlife.

Would you rather explore Valletta by yourself or with a local guide? So, for one reason or another, this is a place to pay a visit: you can enter to admire the old structure, which conserves painting of the time, or you can go inside to enjoy one of the best coffees in the city, better if complemented with a Maltese traditional sweet.

The church served as the burial site for Grand Master La Vallette, the 49th GrandMaster and the hero of the Order. Head a little further along Republic street and youll find the visitor entrance to the Cathedral on your right. 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. This free ghost tour starts at Triton Fountain and moves on to some of the lesser visited alleys in Valletta. The Triton fountain was constructed in 1959, by a Maltese sculptor, Vincent Apap, and his inspirations were the fountains in the Roman squares.

Today, its a nice spot to grab some rare peace on the busy Maltese islands. 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.

Adorned with intricate details, embellished dome ceiling and artwork donated by the knights, it was designed to rival the churches of Rome. This stunning venue has been hosting performances since 19th January 1732.

It is famous for the wooden statue of St. Paul, which is paraded on the streets of Valletta on February 10th each year during the celebration of St. Pauls Shipwreck.

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. Valletta, Entrance fee: Adults 6 ; Seniors/students 4.50 Children 3.00.

Keep on walking Merchant street till the next corner, Old Theatre Street, and you will have on your right the old market hall.

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self-guided walking tour valletta