Valletta's magnificent harbour.
WHY
The tiny capital of the tiny nation of Malta more than makes up for its size with a condensed history and cultural legacy that provides a splendid blend of Castilian,Arab,Italian,French and British influences. In particular the Knights of St John,who ruled from 1530 to 1798,gave Valletta its splendid architecture and the gobsmacking harbour fortifications that make this such a great port to approach by cruise ship – or view from the battlements.
VISIT
Valletta's old town and fortifications from the harbour.Credit:Brian Johnston
The National Museum of Archaeology (heritagemalta.org) is small in size but presents 7000 years of Malta's history,with some excellent exhibits on the island's prehistoric sites. Sixteenth-century palace Casa Rocca Piccola (casaroccapiccola.com) is one of the last occupied aristocratic houses in the city,beautifully furnished;beneath lie bomb shelters used in WWII. Valletta's Manoel Theatre (teatrumanoel.com.mt) is one of the world's oldest,opened in 1732. It has a fabulous baroque interior and a lively program of opera and music.
EAT
Ta'Nenu Restaurant (nenuthebaker.com),hidden in a back-alley basement,serves hearty helpings of traditional,rustic Maltese food such as ftira (similar to pizza),pork and beef stew,and rabbit marinated in garlic and red wine. Its nearly all-local clientele makes a refreshing change from Valletta's tourist-frequented cafes. Giannini (gianninimalta.com) is more upmarket,with Maltese-Italian cuisine,good seafood and harbour views. Bistro Guze (guzevalletta.com) brings contemporary twists to Mediterranean menus that change by the month.
St John's Co-Cathedral has a frescoed ceiling,marble inlaid floors and lashings of gold baroque ornamentation that deliver a huge wow factor.
LOOK