Compact and charming Valetta is a throbbing cultural mix of African and European styles, attested to by UNESCO for its shear wealth of historical ‘must sees’. But heritage status aside, this sand-coloured harbour town strewn out along the ridges of the Valletta peninsula is also the island nation’s most happening urban centre, complete with hidden wine bars, lively waterside pubs and world-class gastronomy.
First time visitors should be sure to ask their Valetta tourist guide for the low down on the long avenue of Triq ir-Republika, the arterial street of the city. Most of the major sights are peppered in this pedestrian area, from the grandiose motifs that adorn the interior apses of St. John's Co Cathedral, to the enthralling exhibits of the National Library, complete with documents dating from the time that Malta was a bastion of Crusading ventures on the cusp of southern Europe.
To get a real taste for the city vibe however, there can be no substitute for an evening stroll around the bastion walls and over the rocky harbour, or even better, around the Upper Barraka Gardens for stunning views of the Grand Harbour.