Valletta, the capital of the small independent island of Malta, is one of three islands in the Maltese Archipelago. Located in the western Mediterranean, Malta is only 52 miles south of Sicily. Your ship docks fairly close to the old walled city. Even though it’s a short walk (about 20 minutes) keep in mind that Malta was inhabited over 5,000 years ago.
Many of the sidewalks are ancient cobblestone, stairways aren’t always level and even the main shopping area is on somewhat uneven terrain. When you visit Valletta, you might want to arrange for a taxi from your ship or take one of the colorful horse and buggy rides to the interior.
English is commonly spoken on Malta mainly due to it being a British colony from 1813 until the end of World War II. Because of the island’s proximity to Italy, Italian is also commonly spoken and Catholicism is the major religion.
Life on Malta dates back over 5,000 years to around 3000 BC. Ancient temple ruins dot the island and may be seen from some of
Another walled city over 3,000 years old, you’ll want to pay a visit to Mdina Cathedral. The cathedral and cathedral museum house a collection of oil paintings and frescoes, woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer, and beautiful inlaid marble floors.
Back in Valletta, art enthusiasts should head over to St. John’s Co-Cathedral in the center of town. Inside this cathedral is a small museum with several works by Caravaggio. Many of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Malta are buried in this very important cathedral.
Shopping in Malta
Shoppers will find delicately woven Maltese lace, blown glass and even brass door knockers sold throughout the island. Silver filigree jewelry and locally made pottery
Local Drink and Dining Favorites
Once again, because of the island’s proximity to Sicily, Italian fare rules the roost. Local specialties include bragioli – spicy beef and olive rolls and it’s common to find rabbit stew on the menu. Tourists tend to favor traditional pizza and pasta choices but shouldn’t miss a taste of the locally produced cheese, Gbejniet, usually served in soup. Lampuki Pie (fish pie) and Kapunata, (Maltese ratatouille) are also good lunch choices.
If you decide to walk back to the ship, waterfront cafés dot the promenade and make for a nice finish to your day. Taxis are also available for the short distance back to the ship. Be sure to have Euros with you in case the taxi does not accept credit cards. A 10% tip for taxi rides and restaurant servers is standard.
Places to see in Malta
St. John’s Co-Cathedral
Also called the Church of the Knights of the Order of St. John, St. John’s Co-Cathedral is located on St. John Street. Completed in 1577 and dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the cathedral is one of the most significant buildings on the island. The interior was decorated in the “new” Baroque style, ornate, and similar to the palaces in Europe. St. John’s is the owner of the most extensive collection and the most important work by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, on display in the Caravaggio Centre.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Take a stroll through the beautiful grounds of what was once the private gardens of the Italian Knights. Overlooking the Grand Harbour, you can view the fortress towns of Cospicua, Senglea, and Vittorosa.
National Museum of Fine Arts
Located downtown, this museum is housed in an 18th palace. Inside you’ll find possessions of the Order of St John, including furniture, sculptures, and world-renown artworks of Carpaccio, Michelino, and Tintoretto. Local Maltese artists also have their works on display.
Old Town
When you’re walking through the Old Town, remember to look at the architecture.
Vineyards
Malta is considered to be one of the smallest wine-producing nations in the world, even though it has been producing wine for over 2000 years. The people of Malta themselves drink almost all the wine that the handful of wineries on the island produces, so very little of it is exported. So to truly enjoy Maltese wine, you must take a trip to Malta and the local vineyards. The blending of more widely known varieties with Malta’s indigenous grapes is creating a whole new generation that is fast becoming Malta’s wine signature.
Fishing Village
The small and picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk (pronounced marsa-schlock – meaning Southern Port) is located in the South-Eastern part of Malta, adjacent to Żejtun, Marsaskala, and Birżebbuġa.
As a tourist destination, Marsaxlokk is popular for a daily open-air market, offering a selection of the finest fish restaurants on the island, for the peaceful walks around the coast and harbour, as well as for its secluded and untainted swimming zones. Locals enjoy the nightlife especially in Summer when you can walk the promenade, grabbing an ice cream as you go and letting the sea breeze cool off the typical Summer heat.
At the end of the day, especially in summer, the short walk to the ship can seem like miles. Treat yourself to a horse and buggy ride back.
