Bugibba and Qawra are small towns on the North coast of Malta, adjacent to the town of St. Paul’s Bay. Bugibba and Qawra are popular locations for tourists and are busiest in the high season while relatively quiet during the winter months. Although the shoreline is mostly rocky, a few locations are suitable for swimming.

Bugibba’s main square, located along the seaside promenade, is the center of activity in the area with a few pubs, nightclubs and restaurants attracting people of all ages to enjoy summer nights. Besides pubs and nightclubs, Bugibba and Qawra also offer a bingo hall, a cinema and a casino. For those who prefer a quiet night out, the location’s seaside promenade is ideal for a leisurely stroll.

Bugibba and Qawra are known mostly to form one of the busier tourism resorts during the summer months, when the area comes to life with the buzz of nightlife and numerous tourists enjoying a drink and entertainment provided by the various hotels in the area. The area doesn’t offer much more than that, however. No genuine Maltese feel, no specific activities other than sunbathing and only few shops lining the seaside promenade.

Having said that, Bugibba and Qawra are great locations as a home base for a holiday of exploring the rest of Malta. Accommodation is good and relatively cheap and the rest of the island is easily reached by public transport. From the Bugibba bus terminus you can find routes to various places in Malta, and also get to Cirkewwa to catch a ferry up to sister-island of Gozo. So if you’d like to add a little culture to your holiday, or spend time at the beach rather than the swimming pool, it’s easy to catch a bus or take your hired car out for a short drive to wherever you fancy.

History of Bugibba and Qawra

Bugibba and Qawra were virtually uninhabited until the 1960’s, when only a few watchtowers had been erected by the Knights of Malta back in the 17th century. The area consisted mostly of open fields with crumbling rubble walls when in the 1960’s a few entrepeneurs opened a few hotels in an attempt to attract tourists. When these ventures proved to be successful, Bugibba and Qawra developed at an astonishing rate in a virtual gold rush of investment. High-rise buildings were developed, with little attention being given to aesthetics or architectural consistency and design was simply an afterthought.  During the 1990’s the appearance of Bugibba and Qawra was hugely improved with the development of the seaside promenade, the Bugibba square and neatly constructed pavements.

Beaches in Bugibba and Qawra

An artificial sandy beach can be found on the shoreline close to the New Dolmen Hotel and a natural beach with pebbles is located at the tip of Qawra (also referred to as Ta` Fra Ben). Although most of the Bugibba/Qawra shoreline is rocky, there are flat surfaces that are suitable for sunbathing. Finding entry/exit points can be tricky but simply watch the locals and you’ll be fine. Beware of black sea urchins – although not large in numbers they inhabit rocky shorelines.

If you prefer sandy beaches, both Ghadira (Mellieha) Bay and Golden Bay can be reached fairly easily by bus, from the Bugibba bus terminus (see below for more info).

Nightlife in Bugibba and Qawra

• Plenty of nightlife activity during the summer months with a number of bars, nightclubs and karaoke bars providing entertainment
• Mostly concentrated around Bugibba Square but good options in other areas just the same
• Main nightclubs are Amazonia (seafront, near Oracle Casino and New Dolmen Hotel) and Fuego (near Qawra Palace Hotel)

Bugibba and Qawra facts

• Transit time from airport: 45-60 minutes
• Ideal for family holidays
• Compromise between the very quiet (Mellieha) and busy (St. Julian’s) in summer months
• Nightlife is limited but entertaining
• Rocky coast with limited swimming opportunity. If you prefer beach life you’ll have to catch a bus. Golden Bay/Ghajn Tuffieha (pron. aajn tuffee-ha) and Ghadira (pron. a-deera) are around 30 minutes away
• Thinking of renting a car? Unless your accommodation offers free parking, be aware that finding space to park can be a real headache in Bugibba and Qawra, mostly during the summer months

Annual Festa’s in Bugibba and Qawra

Bugibba and Qawra do not celebrate any traditional village feasts, however, neighbouring St. Paul’s Bay (within walking distance) celebrates their festa in the 2nd/3rd week of July.

Read more: Maltese village feasts or festa

Popular Bus Routes

Route 49, to:

• Mosta (20 min)
• Valletta (50 min)

Route 652, to:

• Golden Bay (35-40 min)

Route 48, to:

• Mellieha Bay (40-45 min)

Routes 70 and 645, to:

• St. Julian’s/Paceville – Malta’s center of nightlife. (30 min). Regular service until 10pm, with limited night service. Expect to take a taxi back or route bus when regular service resumes the next morning. (30 min)

Map of Bugibba and Qawra

The village of St. Julian’s is located alongside the Northern coastline of Malta, adjacent to Sliema and a few miles to the West of the capital city Valletta. Paceville is an area at the core of St. Julian’s which is known as Malta’s centre of nightlife, offering a variety of bars and nightclubs for a great night out.

Despite the various package deals offered for St. Julian’s, the town is mostly popular among teenagers for its nightlife and young couples who appreciate the nightlife but enjoy fine dining, wine bars and who don’t mind a regular commute to get to beaches and places of interest. Nevertheless, St. Julian’s has something to offer for people of all ages and walks of life.

Spinola Bay (one of St. Julian’s more popular bays) in particular is an excellent location for an evening stroll around the marina which plays host to fishing boats which are berthed there all year round. You’ll also find a few restaurants serving great food and offering a great view of this picturesque bay and its surroundings.

History of St. Julian’s

St. Julian’s as it is known today is a relatively young village which was practically undeveloped until the 1800’s, having traditionally been a fisherman’s village. Most of the Northern coastline of Malta had been left undeveloped for fear of making the area vulnerable to attack from the Ottoman empire, which posed a threat to Maltese security in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The building of Spinola Palace, overseeing what is nowadays called Spinola Bay, started in 1688 and proved to be a first step in the slow development of the coastal area of St. Julian’s. Under British rule (starting with the defeat of Napoleon and ending with Malta’s independence in 1964), St. Julian’s was transformed into an important seaside village boasting several prestigious residences.

Beaches in St. Julian’s and Paceville

Although St. Julian’s is a seaside town, there’s only one public beach that is suitable for swimming. St. George’s Bay offers a small sandy beach and is located on the Paceville side of St. Julian’s. The town’s two other bays, Spinola Bay and Balluta Bay don’t have a beach and are rarely used for swimming. The bays are used mostly to berth fishing boats, giving the area a very distinctive feel but not favouring avid swimmers.

Nightlife in St. Julian’s and Paceville

Paceville is the place to be for clubbing and a bustling nightlife, with a mixed audience and various styles of music. From R&B and Hiphop over at Havana, to club/trance at Axis or Sky Club and Salsa and other Latin styles at Fuego… and a lot more to check out. Entrance fees are low, although not all clubs actually have an entrance fee at all, which makes Paceville ideal for simply hopping from one bar/club to another.

St. Julian’s offers mainly restaurants, wine bars and pubs, which all come in different flavours and in the case of restaurants, cater for different budgets. Check out the map for a couple of suggestions for bars/clubs to visit.

St. Julian’s and Paceville facts

• Thinking of renting a car? Unless your accommodation offers free parking, be aware that finding space to park can be a real headache in St. Julian’s, particularly during the summer months as well as on weekends

Popular Bus Routes

Routes 62, 64, 66, 67 and 68, to:

• Valletta (30 min)

Route 65, to:

• Mosta (30 min)
• Ta` Qali Crafts Village (40 min)
• Mdina/Rabat (45 min)

Route 70, to:

• Bugibba/Qawra (30 min)

Route 167 (summer only), to:

• Mellieha Bay (45 min)
• Cirkewwa – Gozo ferry (55 min)

Got any tips/reviews to share about St. Julian’s and Paceville? Leave a comment!

Map of St. Julian’s and Paceville

Sliema is one of Malta’s main seaside tourist locations. It is located on the Northeast coast of Malta, to the West of Valletta Grand Harbour. To the locals, Sliema is a popular area for shopping, hosts numerous businesses and also boasts some of the island’s most desired (and therefore costly) residential estates. Subject to heavy development over the past three to four decades (spurred by increasing tourism to the area), many of its characteristic seafront residences have made way to high-rise apartments and hotels, reshaping what once was a quiet fishing village into a busy tourist centre.

Nevertheless, Sliema still has a very distinct feel. A character found nowhere else and appreciated by locals and travellers alike. Offering various hotels as well as bars and pubs, Sliema is a good holiday location for couples of all ages. Neighbouring St. Julian’s, with its nightlife area known as Paceville is a stone’s throw away (for late night club visits), while capital city Valletta is nearby as well, offering plenty of culture, history and places of interest to appreciate.

The Sliema seaside promenade stretches almost 5km, starting in St. Julian’s and going into Gzira, Ta Xbiex and Msida. Two watch towers can be found along the Sliema coastline, one of which is was erected by De Redin in the 17th century (nowadays home to a small café) and another built by the British in the 1880’s.

History of Sliema

The name Sliema is derived from the Maltese word sliem, meaning peace. Peaceful is what Sliema, originally a fishing village, was until the mid-19th century when rapid development started to turn Sliema into a popular summer resort, for the wealthier citizens of Valletta. The area was a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, both for locals but also for the British who recognised the potential for holiday homes nearby Malta’s capital city, yet enjoying peace and quiet.

Few of the prestigious, Victorian and art nouveau residences remain in the inner streets of Sliema and a only a handful remain on the seaside which is a highly sought after area for further development of modern high rise construction. A few of these older seafront residences remain intact and untouched, now protected by law. A small cluster of such residences can be found on the Gzira side of Sliema, opposite the bridge towards Manoel Island.

In the 1950’s, development of properties in Sliema really kicked into high gear as tourism in Malta increased, making the town the first tourist resort on the island.

Beaches in Sliema

Sliema offers no sandy beaches but its rocky coastline is nevertheless suitable for swimming. A particular spot alongside the coast, referred to by the name of Exiles, is a popular bathing area for locals and tourists alike, with easy access to the sea and clear and clean waters. Although rocky, the shoreline is made up of mostly flat rock surfaces, which makes sunbathing perfectly possible.

Alternatively, direct bus routes to sandy beaches such as Golden Bay and Mellieha Bay (aka Ghadira) are also available, although you should expect a one hour ride to get to these beaches.

Nightlife in Sliema

Sliema offers plenty of bars and pubs, and a handful of nightclubs, spread alongside the coastal promenade over the St. Julian’s side of Sliema as well as the Gzira side. For the clubhoppers, Paceville (part of St. Julian’s) is only a stone’s throw away.

Annual Festa’s in Sliema

• Our Lady of Sacred Heart - 1st week of July
• Our Lady Star Of The Sea - 3rd week of August
• St Gregory The Great  - 1st week of September

Read more: Maltese village feasts or festa

Popular Bus Routes

Routes 62, 64, 66, 67, 68 and 70, to:

• St. Julian’s/Paceville (5-10 min)
• Valletta (15-20 min – opposite direction)

Route 65, to:

• Mosta (20 min)
• Ta Qali crafts village (30 min)
• Rabat/Mdina (40-45 min)

Route 627, to:

• Bugibba/Qawra (35-40 min)
• Marsaxlokk (35 – 40 min, opposite direction. Fishing village on East coast of Malta)

Route 645, to:

• Mellieha (40 min)
• Mellieha Bay (45 min)
• Cirkewwa (50-55 min)

Route 652, to:

• Golden Bay (40-45 min)

Got any tips/reviews to share about Sliema? Leave a comment!

Map of Sliema

St. Paul’s Bay is both a seaside village in its own right as well as the name for the larger area which includes the neighbouring villages of Bugibba and Qawra. Being less busy than these two villages, St. Paul’s Bay is a good option for those who want to be able to enjoy the area without having to stay in the dead center of this popular tourist resort.

St. Paul’s Bay is a relatively quiet village, with one long main street branching out into smaller streets with mostly residential areas. Offering a few bars and restaurants, the village offers entertainment after sundown, although Bugibba and Qawra remain more popular among those seeking nightlife.

History of St. Paul’s Bay

St. Paul’s Bay is known as the location where the Apostle St. Paul is said to have been stranded after his ship was wrecked on St. Paul’s Island on his journey from Caesarea (in Israel) to Rome. Nowadays, this small island features a large statue of St. Paul in commemmoration of this event, which brought Christianity to Malta.

Originally being a fishing village, St. Paul’s Bay still hosts a small marina where fishermen berth their luzzijiet and dghajjes (traditional Maltese fishing boats).

Beaches in St. Paul’s Bay

There are no sandy beaches in St. Paul’s Bay, although its rocky shoreline offers a number of places where swimming is possible.

The nearest sandy beaches are Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha (on the West coast of Malta) an Mellieha Bay (up north near the village of Mellieha).

Nightlife in St. Paul’s Bay

There are a few bars and pubs around in St Paul’s Bay, as well as some good restaurants, but most of the nightlife is concentrated in Bugibba and Qawra. Bars found in St. Paul’s Bay are generally quiet, but nevertheless worthwhile visiting for a couple of drinks or a nice glass of wine.

St. Paul’s Bay facts

• Named after St. Paul, said to have brought Christianity to Malta
• Small core village, extended with Bugibba and Qawra
• Relatively quiet alternative to staying at Bugibba or Qawra
• Rocky shoreline, suitable for swimming. Sandy beaches nearby
• Popular area for snorkeling and diving

Annual Festa’s in St. Paul’s Bay

In the 2nd/3rd week of July, the village’s single festa (Our Lady of Sorrows) is celebrated with the usual band march and fireworks.

Read more: Maltese village feasts or festa

Popular Bus Routes

Routes 43, 44, 49 and 159, to:

• Valletta (50 min)

Routes 44, 45 and 48, to:

• Mellieha (20 min)
• Mellieha Bay (25 min)

Routes 45 and 48, to:

• Cirkewwa – Gozo ferry (50 min)

Route 167 (summer only), to:

• Paceville – nightlife (20 min)

Got any tips/reviews to share about St. Paul’s Bay? Leave a comment!

Map of St. Paul’s Bay

Mdina, also called the Silent City, is surrounded by fortified walls and sits on top of one of the highest hills of Malta. Built in medieval times, much of its original architecture has been preserved and its narrow alleys tell tales of centuries of history and the various rulers that governed Malta.

There’s a distinct feel you get when walking through these alleys and the views over large parts of the island from on top of the bastion walls are breathtaking and indicative of the area’s strategic importance to its various occupants.

Standing proudly on one of Malta’s highest promontories, the old capital looks like a medieval walled city straight out of a fairy tale. The fortress city, which acted as Malta’s capital city before Valletta was built, once extended to the neighbouring town of Rabat.

Once past the deep moat, nowadays a public garden, and inside the city’s walls, cobbled streets are lined with immaculately preserved noble houses, private chapels, palazzi, and cathedrals. The streets are narrow and winding, and walking along them feels like trying to find your way out of a maze; a feeling which adds to the element of surprise at finding large squares. Silence pervades, and is the perfect complement to a walk on the bastions, as well as taking in the panoramic view of most of Malta and the surrounding sea.

Today Mdina is a major tourist attraction recognised internationally as an important UNESCO heritage site (currently on its tentative list).

History of Mdina

Punic remains have been found in the area around Mdina and suggest that Phoenician settlers inhabited the region around 700 BCE. Historians believe that even they fortified the city they then called Maleth. Mdina’s location was of strategic importance, situated on one of the island’s highest points and relatively far away from the sea.

The Romans also recognized Mdina’s strategic importance and developed the city further, also building the Roman Governer’s palace there.  It was during the Norman conquest of Malta in 1091 AD when Mdina’s outline was shaped as we know it today. Mdina’s thick surrounding fortifications and wide moat were constructed by the Normans and much of the architecture in Mdina dates from medieval times.

Mdina was fortified in medieval times, but its protection in early times must have been its high location on a rocky hill. It is certain that either during the Byzantine or during the Arab occupation of Malta, the fortifications were retracted to the present proportions, perhaps for better defensibility. Although the Arabs were officially expelled from Malta in 1250, the Arab legacy continued. The name ‘Mdina’ survived even though the City’s name had changed several times throughout the centuries, from Maleth by the Phoenicians, Melita by the Romans, Medina by the Arabs, Citta’ Vecchia (the old city) and Cita’ Notabile (the noble city) during medieval times.

A strong earthquake destroyed parts of Mdina in 1693, after which the Knights of Malta rebuilt the cathedral and erected buildings such as Palazzo Falzon and the Magisterial Palace in Baroque style.

Got any tips/reviews to share about Mdina? Leave a comment!

Map of Mdina

Mellieha is one of the Northern-most villages of main island Malta and overlooks Malta’s largest sandy beach called Mellieha Bay, also referred to as Ghadira (pron. A-deera). The village has a lovely character and picturesque scenes that provide you with a view of life in Malta as well as offering you all amenities for a comfortable holiday. Mellieha is situated on top of a hill, surrounded by fertile valleys providing beautiful panoramas and village scenes not seen frequently, such as the downhill winding central street.

Mellieha has a beautiful church, located at the top of the hill coming from Mellieha Bay (also known as Mellieha Ridge) and was built in the 19th century in a typical baroque style. The church is seen as one of the few real landmarks Mellieha is known for and is considered a must see, even if only for the view its location offers.

History of Mellieha

The location of Mellieha is known to have been inhabited since Neolithic times (3000 B.C.) since several Megalithic remains, tombs, pottery fragments and primitive tools were found in the area, dating to this era. The many caves which formed naturally around the base of the village (located on top of a hillside) are said to have been inhabited by troglodytes during Roman and Byzantine occupations (around 213 B.C. and 870 A.D.).  The caves were used as dwellings but also as a place for burial in Punic-style burial chambers.

Around the late 15th/early 16th century the area proved to be vulnerable to the continuous attacks from the sea during the Arab conquest  and was left abandoned. With the erection of fortifications all around the island of Malta in the 17th century by the Knights of Malta, Mellieha was repopulated again. Its inhabitants settled in the area mainly for agriculture, taking benefit of the fertile valleys around Mellieha as well as tunny net fishing.

In 1844, Mellieha was established again as a parish and developed into a more modern town and most of the buildings and streets in the centre of current-day Mellieha date from that period.

Beaches near Mellieha

One of the major benefits of holidaying in Mellieha is Mellieha Bay (or Ghadira), which is a popular beach for several reasons. It’s Malta’s largest sandy beach, has shallow waters which makes it ideal for families with children and offers crystal clear water. Public toilets and several snack bars can be found on the beach and for a couple of Euro you can rent an umbrella and sunbeds for the day.

Over the hill beyond Mellieha Bay there are a few more beaches worth checking out, easier to reach if you’re renting a car. Paradise Bay is located on the road towards the Gozo ferry which departs at Cirkewwa. Taking a turn uphill on a bumpy road you’ll get to Paradise Bay within a few minutes, where you’ll be greeted with the views of a small bay surrounded by high cliffs and a view of Gozo in the distance. There’s a small sandy beach with limited space though with public toilets as well as a large snack bar.

Armier Bay is located on the North side of Malta’s figurative tail fin. The minute you get up on the hill past Mellieha Bay, take a turn to your right onto a bumpy road and take a turn to your left when you see the sign pointing towards Armier. This small sandy beach is mostly popular among the locals and has less of a touristy feel to it. The beach and the bay itself are generally clean and a large snack bar is located at the edge of the beach for refreshments.

Mellieha Facts

• Around 1 hour drive from the airport
• Located on a hill, with impressive views out over Mellieha Bay

Annual Festa’s in Mellieha

Mellieha celebrates two village festa’s for different parishes, in the beginning and towards the end of September. The first, The Nativity Of Our Lady, around the first week of September and the second, Our Lady Of Mellieha, around the last week of September.

Read more: Maltese village feasts or festa

Popular Bus Routes

Routes 43, 44 and 45, to:

• St. Paul’s Bay (20 min)
• Mosta (35 min)
• Valletta (55-60 min)

Route 45 (opposite direction), to:

• Cirkewwa (10 min)

Route 48, to:

• Bugibba (40-45 min)

Route 167 (summer only), to:

• Paceville – nightlife (40 min)

Route 645, to:

• Sliema (40 min)

Got any tips/reviews to share about Mellieha? Leave a comment!

Map of Mellieha

Valletta is the capital city of Malta and is located in the central-eastern part of main island Malta. Valletta is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its rich historical value and links to the Knights of Malta, who built the city in the second half of the 16th century. With 320 recognised monuments situated within an area of just 0.55 km2, Malta’s capital city is one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. The city is named after its founder, Grand Master of the Order of St. John, Jean Pirot de la Valette and is also known as “a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen”.

Valletta is also the smallest capital city in the EU, and is Malta’s foremost commercial and financial centre, which is visited by scores of tourists who are curious to see the city’s rich history and abundance in sites of interest. The peninsula on which Valletta is built has two natural harbours on each site, of which the most important to Valletta is the Grand Harbour.

History of Valletta

Under Grandmaster Jean Parisot de la Valette (of the Order of St. John, aka. the Knights of Malta) the first foundation stone of Valletta was laid on 28 March 1566. Valletta was built on what used to be Mount Sceberras which is a tongue of land that lies between the island’s two natural harbours. All that existed on these bare rocks was a small watch tower called St. Elmo (later to be extended and renamed Fort St. Elmo). The location was chosen to help fortify the Order’s position in Malta and provide the Knights with a stronger foothold on the island. The Siege of Malta had just taken place a year earlier and victorious Grand Master de le Valette was set on improving the island’s defences, in order for the Order of St. John to maintain its hold on the island.

The design of Valletta moved away completely from earlier medieval Maltese city planning, which had mostly consisted of irregular winding streets and alleys that were easier to defend in the event of a siege by foreign powers. Francesco Laparelli designed Valletta based on rectangular grids of streets that were wide and straight. The grid starts at the City Gate to end on the other side of Valletta at Fort St. Elmo, which overlooks both sea ports near Valletta: The Grand Harbour on the East side and Marsamxett on the West side. To fortify the city against attacks from outside, the city was surrounded by bastions, some of which were built up to 153 feet or 47 meters tall.

Francesco Laparelli, a military engineer, provided his services on request of Pope Pius V, who, together with King Philip II of Spain, supported the project with financial aid as well. Both had vested interests in maintaining a Roman-Catholic rule over strategically placed Malta and were obviously supportive of efforts to defend the Maltese islands against attacks from the Ottoman empire (a Muslim rule from present day Turkey).

Some of the street planning in Valletta is truly unique, which was planned with the city’s defence in mind. Some of its streets fall steeply as you get closer towards the back of the city, making it difficult for enemy troops to manoeuvre. These streets have stairs that were built in such a way that knights in heavy armour would be able to climb the steps.

At the turn of the 17th century, Valletta had grown into a sizeable city for the standards of those days. The city was a popular place to settle among the local population, considering its safe fortification, while former capital Mdina had lost much of its allure after the Great Siege.

During World War II, Valletta was heavily bombarded by Nazi fighter planes and many historical buildings were damaged or destroyed. The most well-known example of this is the Royal Opera House, of which the ruins are still visible as you enter Valletta through the City Gate. The site has been at the centre of political debate in Malta ever since, with Maltese MPs unfortunately unable to decide how the site should be developed.

After the war, parts of Valletta fell into disrepair and lost its popularity as a locality for new families to settle. Many of its former citizens also moved out to more modern housing in other localities in Malta. Over the past years interest in living in Valletta has increased, however, now that more people seem to appreciate the old architecture and are willing to invest in old properties.

Getting to Valletta

Getting to Valletta is easiest by public transport. All bus routes start and end in the capital city, but be sure to ask the bus driver whether he’s heading on his way back to the capital city or whether you need to cross the road to catch the right bus. Valletta’s bus terminus lies right in front of the City Gate, which you simply can’t miss.

If you’ve hired a car, you’ll be able to find the capital quite easily since many road signs point in the direction of Valletta. Please note that you’re not allowed to drive onto the bus terminus roundabout itself, which you can recognize by the fountain located in the centre. Parking within Valletta (which you can access from side entrances to the city) is restricted by a congestion charge system on weekdays from 0800 – 1800h and Saturdays from 0800 – 1300h. Parking is free outside of those hours, as well as on a few locations just outside Valletta. Going around the streets within Valletta by car is difficult, because some streets are pedestrian zones while others are one way streets. Right in front of the bus terminus a large parking garage is located, which is the easy option if you don’t mind paying a fee for parking.

You can also enter Valletta by boat, with a small ferry that leaves at the seafront of Sliema to take you across Marsamxett harbour and past Manoel Island for a small fee. Another option is to travel to Vittoriosa, which lies on the Grand Harbour (Eastern) side of Valletta and is one of the Three Cities, and getting on a Maltese type of gondola (or Dghajsa in Maltese) which takes you across Grand Harbour and drops you off at Victoria Gate, through which you can enter Valletta.

Visiting Valletta

Like other older villages such as Mdina and the Three Cities, you get this really authentic feeling when you walk through the streets of Valletta. There’s so much history there that you can almost visualize scenes of days gone by, just looking at the various historical buildings. The famous Auberges, most of which underwent restoration works in recent years, date back to the 16th century and their architecture is truly amazing.

Nightlife in Valletta

For one of Europe’s capital cities, Valletta offers relatively few options for going out. The most popular nighttime venues are wine bars, which offer a very relaxed atmosphere, a wide variety of wines but also regular drinks.

Got any tips/reviews to share about Valletta? Leave a comment!

Map of Valletta