One of the places we were very enthusiastic about visiting during our One life One bag travel adventure, was Malta. And it definitely exceeded our expectations. If this place is on your bucket list as well, this post is for you. Today I will be sharing our top places and tips that will guide you when planning your trip to this amazing island.
At a glance
Medieval feeling
Conserved architecture
Cinematic scenery
Romantic streets
Mindblowing cathedral
Staying in Valletta
The first question we had when planning this trip was: "What part of the island should we stay at?". We just knew that Valletta was the capital of the island. After researching, we found that there are three main popular areas: Valletta, Sliema, and St. Julian's.
Fortunately, we had the opportunity to stay at St. Julian's and Valletta and I will provide you with all the info about both places for you to decide. In this post, I will describe Valletta.
Is Valletta worth visiting?
The answer is YES. Valletta is unique. It has an impressive entrance, its bridge makes you feel like you are entering a medieval town. At sunset, the streets of Valletta become perfect for a romantic walk. The architecture is all beige with colored windows which makes you feel like in a medieval town. Valletta is full of cozy restaurants with different gastronomy options, from typical Maltese cuisine to amazing Italian food. Valletta is small, and you can walk everywhere. If you decide to stay in Valletta you don't need a car, since the public transportation to the rest of the island and to the airport is very functional.
Where to eat in Valletta
Foodie is always a good thing to talk about isn't it? And I think recommendations are super valuable when you have few days to explore a new city. Let me tell you about our favorite spots during our visit to Valletta.
Best dinner at Valletta
Something we noticed was that there were multiple Italian restaurants, probably due to the short distance to Italy. And since Alex and I love Italian food, we decided to go find the best carbonara in town. We did, and the restaurant is called Trattoria Romana Zero Sei. You will need a reservation, my personal advice is to get the carbonara and the local house wine. Check them out at: https://www.instagram.com/zeroseimalta/
Rooftop Restaurant at Valletta
We found this rooftop by accident while we were exploring the Valletta Food Market, which has plenty of options (even Mexican food). The rooftop has this restaurant, casual-elegant and full of sunlight, perfect for Aperol Spritz during the golden hour.
Ice cream at Valletta
While craving ice cream one evening, I found a unique place with a totally different concept! It's called Roll & Chill. It is a brand new local business with a totally new concept. They make handcrafted ice-cream rolls with your favorite ingredients! Plus, the rolls look so cute. Find more about this delicious art in their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roll.chill/
Romantic jazz night at Valletta
Next to our Airbnb, there is the Bridge Bar. A place where part of "The Devil's Double" movie was filmed, and they have the most romantic restaurant you can imagine. With tables along the stairs of the bridge, and romantic light bulbs that make the scenery irresistible. They have jazz on Friday nights. Take your significant other for a perfect night! Check them out here: https://www.facebook.com/www.bridgebar.valletta/
Best streets to have drinks at Valletta
Valletta has unique streets full of cute bars to have drinks. Here are some of my favorite:
Triq Id-Dejqa
St. Lucia's Street
What to visit in Valletta
Valletta has fascinating sites to offer during your visit. Here are some of my favorite spots to visit:
St. John's Co-cathedral
My first impression when I saw the outside of this cathedral is how big and simple it was. But it just blew my mind when I went inside. It has the most detailed and exquisite interior. I recommend you to go in the morning since it is easier to get in and be aware of what you wear, you cannot go in shorts or skirts. And if you are into the spiritual vibe, stay for the mass, and feel the energy that exists in this gorgeous cathedral.
Upper and Lower Barraka Gardens
There are two gardens, the upper and the lower, you can easily walk to both. These gardens were one of my favorite spots in Valletta, very peaceful, full of fresh energy, beautiful trees, and lovely views. What else can you ask for? Take a book and enjoy!
Hope you enjoyed our review of Valletta! Overall, we were deeply satisfied with our visit, and if we go back to Malta we will definitely stay at Valletta again.
Let me know in the comments if you have other tips to Valletta that you would like to contribute to the traveling community.
Sending you a warm hug,
Kassandra
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