My wife and I visited Valletta for the first time in May 2001. It has been said, about Malta itself, it seems by just about everyone, ’’You either love it or hate it’’, No middle ground - I loved it, my wife hated it, Valletta that is.
Neither of us could sensibly describe what it was about it that had influenced our opinions. During the next week we went all over Malta, Gozo et al and enjoyed each and every day. Everything that we did, everything that we saw and everybody that we spoke to cemented our opinion of Malta and the Maltese - It and they were lovely. That is if you can put into one small word all that we felt about a very large subject and about a beautiful collection of Islands, and a wonderfully kind, indomitable, friendly, warm people.
We made a second visit to Valletta. This time we both loved it. The answer is, when you come to Malta, give yourself time. The islands and the people have been here for thousands of years. Historic temples on these Islands pre-date the Pyramids!!
Valletta has a history that I cannot hope to describe here. The pagentry goes on day by day - during our visit there was a parade with all the players in Mediaeval costume and ancient battles were played out to the joy of all the visitors who watched, freely. Tourism is the essence of the Islands, they have little or no other income than money spent by tourists. Tourists however are not fleeced, there are very few souvenir shops with tawdry knick knacks. Cruise ships plying up and down the Meditaranean visit Malta all the time and they are always made welcome. Film shows of the Knights of St. John and the siege by the Turks are all part of the great panoply on offer.
When you visit Valletta you will come in by the main entrance where there is a bus terminus. This entrance leads you through the main backbone of the city. You will visit churches, museums, Cathedral, shops, restaurants to either side of this main drag. Do not go down the hill either to the right or left until you have seen all that you want to of the centre. The steepness of the hill will mean that you would have to climb it again to come back to the City. Not a good idea at any time and certainly not in the heat of the day. Rather, go down the hill to the left to the Ferry terminal for St. Julians which is another small town across the bay, very quiet with bars, cafes and shops and with the North Western arm of the Harbour of Valletta in front of you. You can always go back to Valletta by local bus for 15cents - an experience to be enjoyed by itself.
If you elect to turn to the right hill off the main drag in Valletta and negotiate the steep slope this brings you to the Grand Harbour with the three peninsulars facing you each with its own town at the top of the hills. The harbour is vast and very busy with always many Naval, merchant ships, and cruise ships, as well as the many small local craft that are unique in the way that they are painted, to see and wonder at.
Altogether, Valletta is a delight, a richly deserved five stars in our book and we recommend that you visit, at least twice, soon.