About the Port
Valletta, one of Europe's smallest capitals, rises on a peninsula overlooking the Grand Harbor, its walls and bastions raised by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century. Within its compact grid of limestone streets, the city holds a concentration of palaces, museums, and churches that earned it UNESCO World Heritage status, including the richly decorated St. John's Co-Cathedral, home to works by Caravaggio. Ornate facades and shaded courtyards give the whole city a lived-in grandeur rarely found in so small a footprint.
Most sites cluster within an easy walk of the harbor, making the old town readily explored on foot. Beyond the walls, the fortified skyline and waterfront have drawn filmmakers and photographers alike, while nearby coastal towns offer a glimpse of Malta's wider seafaring history. Whether wandering the bastions or pausing at a harborside café, travelers find a capital shaped by centuries of maritime and religious history.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Valletta.
Visit St. John's Co-Cathedral
Step inside to see Caravaggio's masterpieces and a marble-inlaid floor of knights' tombs beneath a gilded Baroque interior. Set aside about an hour; modest dress is required and lines form early.
Walk the Upper Barrakka Gardens
This terraced garden atop the bastions delivers sweeping views over the Grand Harbor and the Three Cities across the water. A short uphill walk from the waterfront, it's a natural spot to catch the midday saluting battery cannon fire.
Wander Republic Street
Valletta's main artery cuts straight through the old grid, lined with palaces, cafés, and shops housed in honey-colored limestone facades. Easy to follow end to end on foot, it ties together most major sights within about 20 minutes.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Click a cruise line to see its Valletta sailings and Pavlus pricing.
Cruises That Visit Valletta
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2026 | Cunard | Queen Victoria | 7 | $1,519 | |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Regent | Seven Seas Navigator | 10 | $10,399 | |
| Sep 5, 2026 | Oceania | Oceania Allura | 9 | $6,449 | |
| Sep 5, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Xcel | 8 | $2,317 | |
| Sep 6, 2026 | Ponant Cruises | Le Dumont D'urville | 8 | $10,300 | |
| Sep 10, 2026 | Oceania | Oceania Sirena | 10 | $3,499 | |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Equinox | 10 | $2,976 | |
| Sep 13, 2026 | Oceania | Oceania Nautica | 10 | $7,849 | |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Crystal | Crystal Serenity | 7 | $6,000 | |
| Sep 20, 2026 | Oceania | Oceania Sirena | 10 | $3,749 | |
| Sep 21, 2026 | Explora Journeys | Explora I | 14 | $12,870 | |
| Sep 25, 2026 | Princess | Enchanted Princess | 11 | $1,749 | |
| Sep 27, 2026 | Windstar | Wind Surf | 10 | $6,888 | |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Regent | Seven Seas Voyager | 12 | $14,949 | |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Explora Journeys | Explora I | 7 | $5,435 | |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Explora Journeys | Explora I | 14 | $12,465 | |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Eclipse | 11 | $2,840 | |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Regent | Seven Seas Mariner | 13 | $14,949 | |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Ponant Cruises | Le Boreal | 9 | $9,220 | |
| Oct 2, 2026 | Regent | Seven Seas Navigator | 14 | $16,949 |
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