Looking down the steps of Valletta’s Triq San wann (St John’s Street) towards the Three Cities
WORDS: RORY GOULDING. PHOTOGRAPH: MATT MUNRO/LONELY PLANET
T he ongoing boost from 2018, when Valletta served as European Capital of Culture, makes this city an all-round joy to visit – that and the temperatures, which stay in the teens even in midwinter, and only get better from there. The former stomping ground of the crusading Knights of Malta is a Baroque beauty written in stone, and given a distinctive touch by the enclosed wooden balconies on almost every historic building. The city itself is one of Europe’s smallest capitals, but the urban area takes in other mini-cities such as Floriana, Sliema and Senglea, which crowd around Valletta’s two lanking harbours. Whether you want to concentrate on its historic riches, enjoy the Mediterranean food and lifestyle, or combine different ways to discover the city, you’ll ind the ingredients here.
PHOTOGRAPHS: MATT MUNRO/LONELY PLANET, COURTESY OF 10 STRAIT STREET HOTEL, COURTESY OF VALLETTA VINTAGE HOTEL, COURTESY OF LOT 61 COFFEE ROASTERS, TONIO LOMBARDI/TONIOLOMBARDI.COM/THE HARBOUR CLUB RESTAURANT, COURTESY OF YARD 32 GIN BAR