You may have visited Valletta various times, but there’s so much to see and do in the city that you can still experience new spots and hidden gems every time you visit Valletta. Here is our suggested 2-day itinerary to discover Valletta in a unique way.
Day 1: Morning
The best way to explore Valletta is to walk around its fortifications and magnificent auberges and palazzos. Since it’s morning and still not time for your check-in at The Embassy Valletta Hotel, you can leave your luggage at the hotel reception and start your adventure from there. Walk up along Strait Street to find yourself near City Gate. Take in the new Parliament House designed by architect Renzo Piano and the two important chapels and the Auberge de Castille just behind to finish at the Upper Barrakka just in time for the noon salute from the battery of cannons beneath this bastion-top pleasure garden. You’ll also want to explore the monuments and sculptures and take in the spectacular panorama of the Grand Harbour.
Grab a quick snack and take the Barrakka Lift down to hop onto a traditional Maltese dghajsa for a tour of the Grand Harbour. The view of the bastions from over the sea is spectacular. You can disembark in Birgu/Vittoriosa and take a short walk around this old city or visit Fort St. Angelo before making your way back to Valletta.
There’s still time for some shopping at the many shops available in the city, particularly around Republic Street, before heading to The Embassy Valletta Hotel. Here you can sit down next to the hotel’s infinity outdoor pool surrounded by magnificent views over the city and beyond. Ah … the pool is heated, so don’t forget to bring your swimsuit even if it’s winter!
Day 1: Evening
It’s time for dinner and whether you’re looking for a casual pasta and pizza place or a more sophisticated and romantic restaurant, we’re sure you’ll find amazing food in the right setting. After dinner, don’t forget to take a short stroll along Strait Street, long-known as The Gut, to witness how the atmosphere here transforms itself from day to night.
Day 2: Morning
Start your day with a sumptuous buffet breakfast at The Embassy Valletta Hotel’s Rooftop Restaurant. During the morning, we suggest you visit one of the many historical or cultural spots in Valletta – The Museum of Archaeology, The Grand Master’s Palace, St. John’s Co Cathedral, Casa Rocca Piccola, The Malta National Arts Museum (MUZA), The Postal Museum, Fort St. Elmo …. there is so much to see and do! And the best thing to visit Valletta in winter? There aren’t long queues and you can enter any of these sites relatively quickly.
After your visit, stop for a quick lunch in one of Valletta’s open-air eateries before heading down to Fort St. Elmo for a relaxing leisurely walk underneath the city’s bastions. Take the short flight of steps down to the shoreline and get ready to be dazzled by an amazing backdrop underneath St. Elmo and next to the Grand Harbour’s breakwater.
Keep walking on the rocks on the M’Xett Harbour side until you find yourself just underneath Mattia Preti Square. Head up to Biagio Steps and keep going up to Hastings Gardens. These gardens must be the most romantic in the city where you can catch the sunset and watch it play over the Triton Fountain or across Manoel Island, from the other side of the garden.
Day 2: Evening
You’re back at the hotel and after some rest, you can start your evening savouring some of the mouth-watering dishes and bar bites prepared by the dedicated chef’s at the hotel’s Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge while overlooking Valletta and the M’Xett Harbour from the restaurant’s panoramic terrace. Following your early dinner, you can attend one of the many cultural performances held during the year at the Manoel Theatre, Spazju Kreattiv or the MCC. Make sure to book your seats in advance though – you don’t want to miss the various performers that through their talent and hard-work present numerous entertaining performances in these theatres.
Valletta is a magical city at day and night, and it has so much to offer that 2 days are even not enough to explore all the gems that it has to offer. If you want to get to know Malta’s capital better, you can opt for this suggested itinerary or ask The Embassy Valletta reception for more ideas and insights.
Start exploring Valletta now. Book your stay at The Embassy Valletta Hotel by clicking on the ‘Check Availability’ tab above.
Photo: viewingmalta.com
