VallettaOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

The Founding of a Planned City

Valletta's history begins with a deliberate act of construction following the Great Siege of 1565. In that year, the Ottoman Empire attempted to dislodge the Knights Hospitaller of St. John from Malta. The Knights, led by Grand Master Jean de Valette, repelled the Ottoman forces after nearly four months of fighting. This victory prompted the decision to build a new capital that would be more defensible.

The foundation stone of Valletta was laid by Grand Master Jean de Valette on March 28, 1566. Unlike many European cities that developed over time, Valletta was planned from its inception. The city was designed on a grid layout by Italian military engineer Francesco Laparelli, with his Maltese assistant Girolamo Cassar continuing the work. This grid system was designed to allow sea breezes to circulate and incorporated bastions, reflecting 16th-century military architecture. The city, named after its founder, was largely completed by 1571.

From Knights' Rule to Modern Capital

For over two centuries, from 1530 to 1798, Valletta served as the seat of the Knights Hospitaller, who developed the island into a Mediterranean fortress. The Grand Master's Palace, built between the 16th and 18th centuries, was the official residence of the Grand Master and a center for administration and military planning. After the Knights were expelled by Napoleonic France in 1798, the palace became known as the National Palace. When Malta came under British rule in 1800, it was renamed the Governor's Palace. Today, it houses the Office of the President of Malta, and parts are open to the public as a museum.

Republic Street, originally known as Strada San Giorgio during the Knights' era, has been Valletta's main thoroughfare since the city's beginning. It has had several name changes, including Rue Nationale under French occupation and Strada Reale during British rule, before becoming Republic Street after Malta's independence. The street sustained damage during World War II, particularly from bombings in April 1942, which destroyed buildings such as the Royal Opera House. It remains a central, mostly pedestrianized artery, lined with institutions and monuments.

• —St. John's Co-Cathedral — The interior features Baroque art. Commissioned in 1572, it has gold leaf, marble floors composed of about 400 inlaid tombstones of Knights, and a vaulted ceiling painted by Mattia Preti depicting scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist. It also houses Caravaggio's 'The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist'.
• —Grand Master's Palace — Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, this palace was the residence of the Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller. Visitors can see the Palace State Rooms, with Baroque ceiling paintings and frescoes depicting the Great Siege of 1565, and the Palace Armoury, which displays a collection of the Knights' weapons and armor.
• —Upper Barrakka Gardens — These public gardens offer views of the Grand Harbour, the Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua), and the Saluting Battery below. Originally a private garden for the Knights of the Langue of Italy, it became public in the 19th century.
• —Auberge de Castille — This Baroque building, originally constructed in the 1570s to house knights from Castile, León, and Portugal, was rebuilt in the 1740s. Today, it serves as the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta. Its façade and location at Valletta's highest point make it a landmark.
• —Fort Saint-Elmo — This star-shaped fort, at the tip of the Sceberras peninsula, played a role in the Great Siege of 1565. It now houses the National War Museum, with exhibits on Malta's military history from the Bronze Age to modern times.
• —National Library of Malta (Bibliotheca) — Founded in 1776 by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc, this neoclassical building houses a collection of books, manuscripts, and the archives of the Order of St. John. Its collections include a papal bull from 1113 and an Egyptian papyrus from 332-331 BC.

The best times to visit Valletta are during the shoulder seasons: April–May and September–October. During these months, temperatures are 20-25°C, rainfall is low, and the city has fewer crowds than in summer. Spring has wildflowers, while autumn offers warm sea temperatures for swimming.

Avoid July and August if possible, as temperatures can reach 32°C with high humidity, and the city experiences its peak tourist season, leading to larger crowds and higher prices. Winter (December–February) is milder, with average highs of 15°C, but it is also the wettest period, with occasional cold winds and rain.

Valletta is a small, pedestrian-friendly city, easily explored on foot. Most city buses stop just outside City Gate, which is a starting point for walking. Driving into Valletta is possible, but parking within the historic core is limited and subject to a Controlled Vehicular Access (CVA) charge on weekdays between 8 AM and 2 PM.

It is easier to park just outside the city walls in Floriana. Options include the MCP underground car park, a three-minute walk from City Gate, or the Floriana Park & Ride, which offers a shuttle service. On-street parking outside the walls uses a color-coded system: white bays are public, yellow lines mean no parking, green are for residents 24/7, and blue are for residents from 6 PM to 8 AM but public during the day.