• Triton Fountain - The Tritons’ Fountain is situated just before the entrance to Valletta. It features three bronze Tritons (sea gods) supporting a large basin, balanced on a concentric base made of concrete and covered with 730 tonnes of travertine slabs. This fountain is one of Malta’s most significant modernist landmarks.
• Valletta City Gate - The City Gate is located at Valletta’s entrance. The current gate, the fifth on this site, was constructed between 2011 and 2014, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. The original city gate was built in 1566.
• The New Parliament - The Parliament House serves as the meeting place for Malta’s Parliament. Constructed between 2011 and 2015, it was designed by Renzo Piano as part of the City Gate Project, which also included a new City Gate and the conversion of the Royal Opera House ruins into an open-air theatre.

Please note that the visit will be external only, and entry into the Parliament House is not included.

• Pjazza Teatru Rjal - The Royal Opera House, also known as the Royal Theatre, was an opera house and performing arts venue in Valletta, Malta. Designed by English architect Edward Middleton Barry, it was built in 1866. In 1873, a fire extensively damaged its interior, but it was restored by 1877.

The theatre was directly hit by aerial bombing in 1942 during World War II. Before its destruction, it was one of Valletta’s most beautiful and iconic buildings. After several abandoned reconstruction plans, the ruins were redesigned as an open-air theatre by Italian architect Renzo Piano, reopening in 2013 as “Pjazza Teatru Rjal.”

Please note that the visit will be external only, and entry into the Royal Opera House is not included.

• Auberge de Castille (Castile) - The Auberge de Castille, historically known as the Auberge de Castille et Portugal, is located at Castile Place, near Saint James Cavalier, the Malta Stock Exchange, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. It is situated at Valletta’s highest point, overlooking Floriana and the Grand Harbour area.

Built in the Baroque style during the magistracy of Portuguese Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca in the 1740s, it replaced a 1574 building that housed knights of the Order of Saint John from the langue of Castile, León, and Portugal.

Please note that the visit will be external only, and entry into the Auberge de Castille is not included.

• St. James Cavalier - Saint James Cavalier is a 16th-century cavalier built by the Order of St. John. It overlooks St. James’ Bastion, a large obtuse-angled bastion forming part of the Valletta Land Front. Designed by Italian military engineer Francesco Laparelli, its construction was overseen by his Maltese assistant Girolamo Cassar. St. James Cavalier was never used in military conflict but played a role during the Rising of the Priests in 1775.

The cavalier is located in Castille Square, near Auberge de Castille, the Central Bank of Malta, the Parliament House, the Malta Stock Exchange, and the post office at Dar Annona. It was restored as part of Malta’s Millennium Project and is now a cultural centre known as “Spazju Kreattiv” (Maltese for Creative Space).

Please note that the visit will be external only, and entry into Saint James Cavalier is not included.

• Upper Barrakka Gardens - A visit to the Upper Barrakka Gardens is essential; here, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the magnificent Grand Harbour, providing a perfect backdrop for memorable photographs.

The gardens are located on the upper tier of Saints Peter and Paul Bastion, built in the 1560s. The bastion’s lower tier contains the saluting battery. The garden’s terraced arches were constructed in 1661 by Italian knight Fra Flaminio Balbiani. They were originally roofed, but the ceiling was removed following the Rising of the Priests in 1775.

• Republic Square - Republic Square is a piazza in Valletta. Originally called Piazza Tesoreria or Piazza dei Cavallieri, it housed the treasury of the Order of Saint John. After a statue of Queen Victoria was installed in the 19th century, it became known as Queen’s Square or Piazza Regina. Although officially named Republic Square, it is still commonly referred to as Piazza Regina.
• St. George’s Square - Known as the heart of the capital, St. George’s Square is Valletta’s largest and most prominent square. Dating back to the 17th century, it has witnessed some of the island’s most notable events, including royal visits, victory celebrations, and the presentation of the George Cross in 1942.
• Grand Master’s Palace - The Grandmaster’s Palace, officially known as The Palace, was built between the 16th and 18th centuries as the residence of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John, who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798, and was also known as the Magisterial Palace. After the knights were expelled by Napoleonic France, it became the National Palace. During British rule starting in 1800, it served as the Governor’s Palace.

The Palace currently houses the Office of the President of Malta.

Please note that the visit will be external only, and entry into the Grandmaster’s Palace is not included.

• St. John’s Co-Cathedral - During the tour, you will have the opportunity to enjoy some free time (approximately 30-40 minutes) or partake in a guided visit to the magnificent co-cathedral dedicated to St. John the Baptist (optional visit—admission ticket to be paid on location). Constructed by the Order of the Knights of St. John shortly after the Great Siege of 1565 and completed in 1577, this cathedral is undeniably one of the most awe-inspiring religious sites in the world, renowned for its riches, adorned interiors, stunning artwork, and intricate design.

One of the most remarkable features of the cathedral is the impressive marble floor, composed of nearly 400 tombstones of knights and officers of the Order.

Amongst other valuable artworks, the cathedral also houses ‘The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist’ by renowned artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, regarded as one of his greatest masterpieces and the only work signed by the painter.

• Merchants Street - Merchant’s Street is located in the historic city centre of Valletta. It runs through the heart of the city, showcasing a vast array of old and new shops, markets, and palaces.
• Auberge d’Italie - The Auberge d’Italie was built in various stages in the late 16th century to house knights of the Order of Saint John from the langue of Italy, originally featuring a Mannerist design by Girolamo Cassar and several other architects. The building continued to be modified throughout the 17th century, with the last major renovation in the 1680s during the magistracy of Gregorio Carafa, giving it a Baroque character.

It is now converted to host the National Museum of Fine Arts, also known as MUŻA.

Please note that the visit will be external only, and entry into the Auberge d’Italie or the National Museum of Fine Arts is not included.

• Fort St Elmo - National War Museum - Fort Saint Elmo is located on the seaward shore of the Sciberras Peninsula, dividing Marsamxett Harbour from Grand Harbour, and commands the entrances to both harbours along with Fort Tigné and Fort Ricasoli. It is best known for its role in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.

Since 1975, part of the fort has housed the National War Museum.

Please note that the visit will be external only, and entry into the Fort or the National War Museum is not included.

• The Malta Experience - Before concluding your enriching experience, at the last stop on our itinerary, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an engaging audio-visual show about the history of Malta (optional visit—admission ticket to be paid on location). This educational, informative, and entertaining presentation delves into the tumultuous history of this small island nation, which has triumphed over immense challenges to thrive and flourish.

The audio-visual show at the end of the tour is an optional experience, allowing guests to choose whether or not to join in. If you wish to skip the audio-visual show, you can conclude your tour without attending.

The audio-visual show is generally done at the end of the tour at the Malta Experience theatre; however, the provider reserves the right to change the time and venue for the audio-visual show without prior notice.

• Valletta - The order of the visits and the itinerary are subject to change without prior notice, depending on weather conditions, restrictions, unforeseen circumstances, or other operational constraints.

• Licensed tour guide

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Food and drinks
• Admission to St. John’s Co-Cathedral (optional visit; entry ticket to be paid on location)
• Admission to an audio-visual show (optional visit; entry ticket to be paid on location)
• Any admissions elsewhere in Valletta.
• Gratuities (optional)

Join an enchanting guided tour through the lively streets of Valletta, where the captivating beauty and unique charm of Malta’s renowned capital are revealed. Established by the Knights of St. John in 1566, Valletta is a fortified wonder that has gracefully endured through the ages, presenting a rich historical tapestry that is both intriguing and educational.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a history spanning nearly five centuries, is often hailed as an open-air museum filled with stories waiting to be discovered by all who visit.

As you wander through Valletta’s vibrant streets, prepare to be captivated by its impressive fortifications, grand Baroque palaces, magnificent churches, picturesque gardens, and a stunning array of architectural styles ranging from mid-16th-century Baroque to modernism. Valletta is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable and charming cities to visit, offering an experience that transcends time.

• The meeting point is in front of the Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta (near the main staircase entrance of the hotel).
• The meeting time is at 9:30 AM. Please make sure to arrive at the meeting point in time; we always recommend arriving 5-10 minutes before the activity’s start time.
• The guide will have a list of all participants and will ask all guests waiting in front of the Phoenicia Hotel for their names.
• The tour will be guided in the language that you have booked; however, please note that occasionally, due to operational circumstances, a multilingual guide (limited to a maximum of two languages) might provide the commentary in two languages.
• The tour in Polish will be conducted by either a Polish-speaking guide (subject to availability) or an English-speaking guide together with a native Polish host serving as a translator.
• The tour in Spanish will be conducted by either a Spanish-speaking guide (subject to availability) or an English-speaking guide together with a Spanish-speaking host serving as a translator.
• The visit of St. John’s Co-Cathedral is optional. If you would like to visit the cathedral, you must pay for the admission ticket on location.
• If you do not wish to visit the cathedral, you will have some free time (approximately 30–40 minutes) to roam around the streets of Valletta until you meet again with the rest of the group at a designated time and place.
• The cost of the admission ticket for the optional visit to the St. John’s Co-Cathedral is €15 for adults and free of charge for children under the age of 12 years. Please note that the fees can change without prior notice.
• The audio-visual show at the end of the tour is an optional experience, allowing guests to choose whether or not to join in. If you wish to skip the audio-visual show, you can conclude your tour without attending.
• The audio-visual show is generally done at the end of the tour at the Malta Experience theatre; however, the provider reserves the right to change the time and venue for the audio-visual show without prior notice.
• The cost of the admission ticket for the optional audio-visual show is €20 for adults, €9 for children between the ages of 5 and 11, and free of charge for infants under the age of 5 years. Please note that the fee can change without prior notice. Please note that the fees can change without prior notice.
• The order of the visits and the itinerary are subject to change without prior notice, depending on weather conditions, restrictions, unforeseen circumstances, or other operational constraints.
• The tour will operate as scheduled, rain or shine.
• The tour is not recommended for travellers with mobility impairments.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.