Valletta, Malta

Malta really is a year round destination, we visited Valletta for New Year - and the weather was mild and very favourable. It can get rather warm in the summer months, but to be honest, a city break to Valletta really can be enjoyed at anytime. Read on for some useful information and tips on this amazing place... At one-square-kilometre and with its entirety recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valletta is the perfect city break destination, especially with a loved one. The heart of the city is St Johns Co Cathedral and is a must visit. This Baroque wonder houses the only signed Caravaggio in existence and is the resting place for all the Grandmasters of Malta. From there, go to Café Cordinna, which is over 150 years old and serves the best coffee on the island, and wander over to the Upper Barrakka Gardens to see the amazing views of the Grand Harbour and a cannon shot every day at 12pm and 4pm. Dotted with many boutique hotels, this is a great place for a bit of romance and to enjoy some incredible meals. With 12 Blue Flag beaches on the island, there is a plethora of places for customers to visit. From the red sandy beaches of Ramla Bay on Gozo to the family friendly Mellieha Bay, the largest on the island, there is something for everyone. Most beaches are in gentle bays and coves and have shallow waters, which make this island archipelago a great place for a holiday with young children. Malta not only has bays, but also plenty of swimming spots, such as the iconic Blue Lagoon and the inland sea. Many of these beaches offer water sports and diving opportunities - with over 120 dive spots, Malta is a sea lover's dream. Malta has a bouncing nightlife with a plethora of trendy bars and restaurants. Fancy a dance? Malta has a wide range of beach clubs for customers to get their dancing shoes on, such as Café Del Mar. Casinos are also found all around the island and host poker tournaments throughout the year. Malta also has a festival calendar to rival any Mediterranean destination, with classics such as Isle of MTV, making Malta its home for the 15th year in 2025. Fancy something a bit more local? Easter is a great time to visit, as the many churches and villages around the island celebrate their local fiestas to the many saints venerated on the island. With seven restaurants now holding a Michelin Star and one with a coveted 2-star, Malta is well and truly on the culinary map. Do not fear, as prices at restaurants are reasonable, allowing people to have luxury on a relative budget. Being conquered 14 times, Malta has a unique gastronomy, highlighted by Ainsley Harriott’s 'Taste of Malta', which can still be seen on ITV. And we must also mention the wine. With two native grapes and limited exportation from the island, trying the wine is a must, along with the rich cheeses and national dish of Fenek al Stuffat (stewed Rabbit), plus a mention also must go to the crisp Cisk lager, which is a firm tourist favourite. The bread and butter of Malta will always be history and culture. With 7,000 years of history, the island is steeped in it. Three UNESCO sites are located on the island, including the City of Valletta, The Hypogeum, an underground burial chamber, and the Neolithic temples, considered the oldest free-standing structures in human existence. The silent city of Mdina, the location for King's Landing in the Game of Thrones, is worth the visit with its impressive architecture, as well as visiting the Citadella, on Gozo, where you can see Sicily on a sunny day. Closer to the capital, you can see the legacy left by the Knights of Malta in their fortifications, as well as countless museums, such as the Maritime, which showcases Malta’s role during World War II.