Eat and drink

Try your hand at wine tasting in a 400 year-old stone vaulted cellar at Trabuxu Wine Bar (pictured), before sitting down to some fine dining in similarly ancient surroundings at Guzé. For unrivalled views served alongside your food,  head to the Harbour Club and try the pan-seared fillet of seabass. Alternatively, pay a visit to Palazzo Preca, where sisters Ramonda and Roberta deliver fresh Mediterranean cuisine of the highest quality. 

Sleep

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to upscale boutique hotels in Valletta. Palazzo Consiglia is a traditional Maltese townhouse with plenty of character, while SU29 is a chic, modern establishment that stands out against Valletta’s 16th-century architecture. A stylish roof terrace boasts incredible views of the city’s waterfront at Ursolino and the recently renovated Casa Ellul (pictured) contains a pleasing mixture of baroque architecture and contemporary furnishings. Cross the river to the ancient hamlet of Birgu and stay at Locanda La Gelsomina for a whole new perspective on the waterfront. 

Explore

As a Unesco world heritage site, simply roaming through the streets of Valletta provides plenty of satisfaction to visitors. Admire the impressive interiors of St John’s Co-Cathedral (pictured), which houses its very own Caravaggio, or explore the Lascaris War Rooms that have been immaculately preserved since World War II. When you feel the need to get some air, enjoy a breezy walk through the Upper Barakka Gardens, first built as a private escape for Italian knights in the 17th century. Alternatively walk along the Valletta waterfront, best enjoyed in the evening in all its illuminated glory. 

Soak up the culture

Valletta has been voted the European Capital of Culture for 2018, and with its wealth of historical and cultural attractions, you can see why. On 1 October, Malta hosts the Notte Bianca Festival (pictured), a celebration of people, culture and arts. The state palaces and museums open their doors to showcase visual art exhibitions and theatre performances, while the open-air streets and piazzas showcase some of the finest local and international musicians and dancers. October also sees the Rolex Middle Sea Race, which allows vistors to watch luxury yachts zip up and down the coastline. If you’re keen to see more of Malta, visit the Qormi Wine Festival (2-3 September), which takes place just outside Valletta, and sample local wines and food. 

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