• Walk the city
  Valletta is an attraction in and of itself, with incredible architecture, palaces, fortresses and churches. Spend a day simply walking the walled city and soaking in the sights.
• Explore St John’s Co-Cathedral
  The exterior of this cathedral belies its treasures within. As you step inside, you’ll see every inch, gilded, painted or carved in stone.
• Dance to live music
  Summertime in Valletta can be lively, with the main concentration of action taking place on Strait Street. A former haunt for visiting sailors, this street is now home to a burgeoning nightlife scene.
• Sample local gastronomy
  From Maltese-style ravioli to the freshest seafood and delicious pastries, Valletta has some of Europe’s most fantastic culinary offerings.
• Discover the local wine
  Maltese wines are unique wines that are hard to find outside of Malta. Predominantly white wines, you can expect to enjoy the island’s chardonnay, vermentino and marsovin la valette blanc.
• Stroll the Upper Barrakka Gardens
  Boasting some of the island’s best views, these stunning gardens are renowned for their history, privileged scenery and beautiful surroundings.
• Take a boat ride
  Appreciate the splendour of Valletta’s harbours by taking a boat ride. Sip on local wine while you admire the breathtaking architecture from another point of view.
• Head to Valletta’s best museums
  The city’s art museum, MUZA, houses a collection of works by Maltese and foreign artists. And, for a deeper insight into the city’s fascinating architecture, a trip to the Museum of Archaeology is highly recommended.
• Swim in the Mediterranean
  Though there are no beaches in Valletta, there are a number of spots that are safe for swimming. Across from the Mediterranean Conference Centre, a set of stone steps will lead you into the welcoming waters.
• Experience a festival
  This small island always has something going on: from the Baroque Music Festival in January to February’s carnival, an opera week in spring and the summer jazz festival.

Though Valletta is not a beach destination, it does have several swimming spots. Malta is also a small island and beaches are easily accessible within the vicinity, either by car or by bus.

• St Elmo Bay
  This rocky stretch of shoreline in Valletta is an easily accessible swimming spot. Take your snorkelling kit for a chance to view the underwater shipwreck of the WWII British destroyer HMS Maori.
• Wuestenwinds Beach
  Misleadingly named, this is yet another swimming spot, rather than a beach. Here, you’ll find a few fisherman’s boathouses and steps down into the sea. Neither here nor St Elmo Bay are appropriate swimming spots for children due to the deep water.
• Golden Bay Beach
  With blue flag status, this beach is ideal for families. It’s situated on the west coast of the island with a journey time from Valletta of around 1 – 1.5 hours.
• Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
  Rugged, unspoilt coastline with golden sands and clay slopes. This beach attracts locals and tourists alike. This beach is not suitable for those with reduced mobility, however, as you must descend 200 steps to reach it.
• Mellieħa Bay
  Perhaps Malta’s most popular beach, this large stretch of golden sand is perfect for families due to its shallow waters and lifeguard presence. The journey from Valletta to this bay of the north coast is just 45 minutes by car.
• Paradise Bay
  A little further along the coast from Mellieħa Bay is this this smaller, sheltered beach. Sandy, with some pebbles and rockier areas, is still family friendly.
• St Peter’s Pool
  Though not a beach, per se, this natural pool is teeming with marine life, making it the ideal destination for snorkellers. Located on the rocky side of Malta’s southern coast, adventurers will love this unspoilt destination.