Can you see Valletta in one day?

Well, the city is quite compact. In fact, it’s the smallest capital city in the European Union, measuring just 0.61 square kilometres.

However, Valletta packs a lot of history. It’s home to several Baroque palaces and lush gardens, 25 churches, an impressive 16th-century fort, and many other attractions.

So, no — you can’t see all of Valletta in one day. You might even struggle to fit in the main attractions, especially if you don’t plan ahead.

To help you out, I’ve put together an itinerary that covers the highlights of Valletta. This guide also includes coffee and lunch breaks, and dinner.

So, here’s how to spend an amazing day in Valletta.

What to expect in Valletta

Before we dive into the itinerary, here are some things you should know about Valletta.

As one of the most visited places in Malta, Valletta is busy year-round. Also, cruise ships dock in the Grand Harbour and hundreds of passengers descend on the city for their day tours.

So, you’ll want to get to Valletta early (before 9am), and if possible, book tickets to attractions in advance. If you have a particular restaurant in mind, it’s a good idea to reserve a table (especially for dinner).

Valletta is a compact city with a grid-like layout, making it easy to navigate. However, it’s also quite hilly, with some steep and uneven areas.

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and be ready to walk, a lot.

Valletta one day itinerary (10 stops)

So, here’s how to see Valletta Malta in one day.

Note: Prices and opening hours listed in this itinerary may have changed since the post was published. While I actively update my content throughout the year, feel free to reach out if you notice that some information is no longer valid.

Stop 1: Coffee at Manouche or Lot 61

You’ll want to get to Valletta early to beat the crowds. Many attractions open at 9am, while some shops open at 10am, so you can grab a coffee and just watch as the city slowly wakes up.

Two of my favourite places for coffee in Valletta are Manouche (located on St. John Square, opposite the co-cathedral), and Lot 61 (located on Old Theatre Street, behind the Grandmaster’s Palace).

Lot61 is a local coffee roastery. Beans are roasted twice a week in Burmarrad, a village in the north of Malta.

Manouche sources its beans from Lot61, so you’ll get some great coffee here as well. They also do food, including breakfast, and they have a good selection of sweets.

Stop 2: St. John’s Co-Cathedral

St. John’s Co-Cathedral is the crown jewel of Valletta and the city’s most popular attraction. During the peak of summer, there are long queues at the entrance throughout the day.

So, this should be the first place you visit. The cathedral opens at 9am, and arriving about fifteen minutes early should help you beat the rush.

The entire building is a masterpiece. Built by the Knights of St John in the 1570s, it features works by some of the best artists of the time.

This includes The Beheading of St. John the Baptist and St. Jerome Writing by Caravaggio. The cathedral even houses an interactive museum dedicated to Caravaggio and his work.

The floor of the cathedral is covered with marble tombstones that commemorate several prominent knights.

There’s also a crypt where several grandmasters are buried, including La Vallette, who founded the city of Valletta.

If you feel up for it, take the belfry and clock tower tour. You’ll go up a spiral staircase leading up to the belfry, where you’ll see the intricate workings of the clock and witness the chimes of the bell.

You’ll also enjoy views of the Valletta skyline.

Tickets:

€15 for adults (plus €5 per person for The Belfry and Clock Tower Tour)

Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4.45pm (last admission at 4.15pm)

Duration:

Between 1 and 1.5 hours (including the belfry tour)

Stop 3: The Grandmaster’s Palace

The Grandmaster’s Palace is another popular attraction in Valletta, so you’ll want to head there after the cathedral (it’s a two-minute walk).

Located on St. George’s Square, this Baroque palace was built in the 16th century and expanded throughout the following two centuries.

It served as the palace of the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller, and now houses the office of the President of Malta.

A large part of the palace is open to the public. This includes the beautiful Piano Nobile corridors and the State Rooms.

There’s also the Armoury, which showcases the armour suits of Grand Masters Alof de Wignacourt and Jean de Valette, Ottoman armour and weapons, and many artillery pieces.

Tickets:

€12 for adults and €8 for children (6 – 11 years)

Opening hours:

Every day from 10am to 6pm

Duration:

Around 1 hour

Stop 4: Upper Barrakka Gardens

After the Grandmaster’s Palace, make your way up Merchants Street towards the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

This public area offers panoramic views of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. Aim to be there at 12pm for the firing of cannons in the Saluting Battery below the garden.

If you need a wee rest, there are plenty of benches in the garden. There’s also a kiosk where you can grab a drink and some refreshments.

Tickets:

Free entrance

Opening hours:

Every day from 7am till 10pm

Duration:

Around 30 minutes

Stop 5: The Museum of Archaeology

From the Upper Barrakka Gardens, walk down to Republic Street and go into the National Museum of Archaeology.

This place has a wealth of artefacts that date back from the Neolithic period (5900-2500BC) up till the Phoenician period (8th – 6th Century BC).

These include sculptures found at the megalithic temples and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, like ‘The Sleeping Lady’. Other interesting items include Phoenician glass, funerary urns, and a large terracotta sarcophagus.

The museum is housed in the stunning Auberge de Provence, built in 1571.

Tickets:

€5 for adults and €2.50 for children (6 – 11 years)

Opening hours:

Every day from 9am to 7pm

Duration:

Between 1 and 1.5 hours

Stop 6: A quick bite at Grano or Cafe Cordina

Okay, it’s time for some lunch. There’s still a lot left to see in Valletta, so you might want to grab a snack rather than have a full meal.

Grano on St. Lucia Street is a little sandwich shop that uses fresh local bread and has a variety of ingredients. It also does cocktails.

There’s also the popular Cafe Cordina on Republic Street, which has been around since 1837. It has an outdoor seating area in Republic Square, but if you’re scared of pigeons, you might want to sit inside.

Cafe Cordina serves snacks like pastizzi and other pastries, and it has a large selection of cakes.

Stop 7: Mysterium Fidei & The Black Friars Museum

After lunch, slowly make your way to St. Catherine’s Monastery on St. Christopher’s Street. This building has housed cloistered nuns since 1575, and parts of it are now open to the public.

Mysterium Fidei gives you a glimpse into the everyday life of the nuns who lived here throughout the centuries.

You’ll explore an underground complex with bedrooms, kitchens, bomb shelters, and a crypt where the nuns are buried. There’s also a gorgeous garden with turtles and a friendly cat.

After the monastery, head to the Black Friars Museum on St. Dominic Street.

Here, you can explore the secret chapels of the Dominican order and marvel at the frescoes and paintings of the basilica, which include works by Giuseppe Cali.

Tickets:

€13 for a combo ticket (Mysterium Fidei + Black Friars Experience)

Opening hours:

Mysterium Fidei : 9.30am – 4.30pm (Monday to Saturday), 12.00pm – 4.30pm (Sunday)
Black Friars Experience: 10.00am – 4.30pm (Monday to Saturday), 12.00pm – 4.30pm (Sunday)

Duration:

Around 1.5 hours

Stop 8: Fort St. Elmo and the National War Museum

The next stop on this Valletta one day itinerary is the impressive Fort St. Elmo, which houses the National War Museum.

You’ll need to walk to the other end of the peninsula, which is mostly downhill. The fort overlooks both the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour, and it played a critical part in the Great Siege of 1565.

Fort St. Elmo was also the site of the first aerial bombardment of Malta during the Second World War.

The National War Museum housed within the fort walks you through 7,000 years of military history. It is divided into seven sections, and you can explore the chapels, barracks, and war memorials at the site.

Plus, you’ll get some spectacular views from the ramparts.

Tickets:

€10 for adults, €5.50 for children

Opening hours:

Every day from 9am to 7pm

Duration:

Around 1.5 hours

Stop 9: Dinner at Sally Port or Luciano

St. Elmo is the last stop on this Valletta one day itinerary. Now, you can either return to your Malta accommodation and give your feet some much needed rest, or have dinner in the city.

One of my favourite restaurants in Valletta is Sally Port. This is located along the bastions, about a 10-minute walk from St. Elmo.

It’s known for its amazing pizzas, prepared with traditional ingredients and home-made dough. They also make hearty salads with fresh burrata.

If you feel up for it, walk back up Merchants Street and try to get a table at Luciano. They serve a variety of Maltese and Italian dishes, and the food is reasonably priced.

Stop 10: A drink on St. Lucia Street

Conclude your day in Valletta with a drink in the atmospheric St. Lucia Street.

This lively street is lined with cafes and bars, and you can sit outside to soak it all up.

There’s also the popular Strait Street, the city’s former red light district. However, it tends to be loud and chaotic here.

That’s it: you’ve reached the end of the perfect day in Valletta. Cheers!

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions about visiting Valletta? Let’s answer them!

Valletta in one day: a recap

• Stop 1: Coffee at Manouche or Lot 61
• Stop 2: St. John’s Co-Cathedral
• Stop 3: The Grandmaster’s Palace
• Stop 4: Upper Barrakka Gardens
• Stop 5: The Museum of Archaeology
• Stop 6: A quick bite at Grano or Cafe Cordina
• Stop 7: Mysterium Fidei & The Black Friars Experience
• Stop 8: Fort St. Elmo and the National War Museum
• Stop 9: Dinner at Sally Port or Luciano
• Stop 10: A drink on St. Lucia Street

Valletta tickets and tours

Worried about the queues, or want to take a tour? You can book tickets to some attractions in advance.