Valletta's bus station B
Valletta Bus Station
Valletta's bus station is the hub for bus transport on Malta. Although called Valletta's bus station, the bus station is located just out side City gate in Valletta's City walls and actually located in Floriana. The bus station is a very wide roundabout with the Triton Fountain in it's centre
There are about 4 bus information kiosks in the bus station along with more kiosks selling food & drinks
Triton Fountain 1
Triton Fountain
The triton fountain is located in Floriana just outside of Valletta's massive city walls in front of Valletta's City Gate. The fountain is surrounded by Valletta's bus station. About 100 metres from the bus station to the north is the Phonenicia hotel
Sunday Morning Market - flea market 2
The is held outside Valletta's city walls, in front of St. James Bastion & St. James Counter Guard at the side of the bus station. This is the largest market in Malta and and interesting to have a look around. Some people may find the caged birds a bit objectionable especially as the gages tend to be small.
During the week there is a daily open air market in Market Street near the Palace
Both outdoor markets sell the usual merchandise sold in markets world wide, seconds, fake designer labels. If looking for a bargain amongst the brick a brac get there early. Don't forget to polish up your bargaining skills
There are additional Sunday Morning Markets in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk in the south west of Malta and the It-Tokk market in Victoria in the centre of Gozo
City Gate 3
Republic Street with City Gate showing at the top of the street
Old City Gate photo built 1853
City gate is the main entrance through the city walls to the City of Valletta. On the outside of the walls, is the town of Floriana, the Triton fountain & Valletta's bus station
A good view of the great ditch can be seen from the bridge leading up to the City gate, also good views can be enjoyed from the ramparts above the City Gate
The current Gate, the fourth to be built was erected in 1964, but generally was not liked by the Maltese public. The previous gate (Black & white photo) built in 1853 by the British looked far more impressive and called the Porta Reale (Kingsway)
The original gateway was completed in 1569 with a draw bridge over the very deep dry moat now called a ditch. This was replaced by a 1632 by a more ornate structure
Malta Tourist Office - freedom Square 4
The main tourist office for Valletta and the Maltese Islands is just inside the City Gate to the right facing freedom square. The office backs onto the city walls.
Republic Street 5
Republic Street
Republic Street is the main shopping street in Valletta and runs from City Gate downhill to near Fort St Elmo on the tip of the peninsular. Sections of Republic Street are often closed to cars to accommodate the mass of tourists and shoppers. The squares just off Republic Street are extremely popular venues for outside cafes, restaurants and bars.
Also located in Repulic Street are the attractions;
National Museum of Archaeology 6
The National Museum of Archaeology is located on the left side as you walk down Republic Street in the the Auberge de Provence building. Malta is steeped in history with many prehistoric monuments from3200 years BC, the copper age, bronze age and roman eras. Finds from digs on these sites can be viewed in the National Museum of Archaeology
Great Siege Square - infront of 7
Great Siege Square is located on the right of Republic Street. A great place to have a meal, drink or snack at one of the open air restaurants, and to watch the world go by.
A great place to have a meal, drink or snack at one of the open air restaurants, and to watch the world go by.
St Johns Co Cathedral 7
St Johns Co Cathedral
St Johns Co Cathedral Entrance
The view from Republic Street the location of the main entrance is rather unimposing, walk down St Johns Street for an impressive view of the twin towers and the main high baroque frontage of the cathedral.
Photographers: Inside the Cathedral you can take photographs but flash is banned, so make sure you know how to turn the flash off, and how to take photos in low light.
Ensure that you see Caravaggio’s extremely famous painting of the 'Beheading of St John the Baptist'.
Dress Visitors must be decently dressed, shawls and or wraps are available at the entrance pay desk. Stiletto heels or narrow heals are not allowed to prevent damage to the marble floor decorated with intricate designs
Location:
St John's Co-Cathedral is set back behind the small Victory square on the right hand side of as you walk down Republic Street.
The Wartime Experience 8
The Wartime Experience is a multimedia show that lasts 45 minutes showing the heroism of the Maltese during World War II which won the island and it's people the George Cross.
The Embassy Shopping Centre, St. Lucia Street crosses Republic Street immediately after St. John's Cathedral on the other side of Republic Street
Queens Square, in front of 9
A great place to have a meal, drink or snack at one of the open air restaurants, and to watch the world go by. Arcaded shops and restaurants are on 2 sides of the square, providing shade from the summer sun.
The Great Siege of Malta 9
45 minutes of high tech 3D walk through adventure taking you back to the days of the Knights of St John & the great siege by the Turkish Saracen invaders
Grand Master's Palace and Armouries 11
Grand Master's Palace & Armouries
The Grand Master's Palace was as the name suggests the palace of the Grand Master of the order of St John's. A section of the palace is now used as an Armoury museum you require 2 tickets to view both the Palace & the Palace Armouries.
All the rooms are magnificent and the armoury museum has weapons, suits of armour from periods both before and after the great siege by the Turks in 1565
Merchants Street Market 11, & Indoor Market M
Street market in Merchants Street
Merchant Street has both an indoor market with mainly butchers & greengrocers, and an open air street market every day except Sunday when the bigger Sunday Morning Market is held outside the city walls.
In the area of the Merchant Street 'street market' are quiet a few jewellery shops, some in St. Lucia Street, good for gold or the famous Maltese silver filigree jewellery at reasonable prices, but antique jewellery tends to be expensive.
Palace Square
The Karozzin, the traditional Maltese horse drawn carriage
St. George Square (Misrah San Gorg)
Palace Square is the first square on the left as you go down Republic Street on the right is the Grand Master's Palace
Palace Square is one of the locations where you can obtain a Karozzin ride. The Karozzin is the traditional Maltese horse drawn carriage
Manoel Theatre 12
The 600 seater Manoel Theatre is one of the oldest theatres in Europe and a baroque masterpiece. Built by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena in 1731.
Besides being used as a theatre there are guided tours around the building
Our Lady Mount Carmel 13
Our Lady Mount Carmel
This is the domed church that dominates Valletta skyline and many tourists wrongly assume it is the cathedral it is so imposing from a distance. The street around the church are very narrow and it is difficult to obtain a close photograph. Like most Maltese churches absolutly stunning inside.
Casa Rocca Piccola CR
Casa Rocca Piccola
- The only privately owned palace open to the public in Valletta.
- A 16th Century 50 room Palace still in use as a private residence.
- The majority of rooms are open to the public,
- Also open are the cellars with 3 World War II air raid shelter in cut out of solid rock.
- The largest could hold 100 people but usually 30 slept in this shelter.
- The shelters were connected to Vallettas maze of underground tunnels built in zig-zag dirrections to reduce bomb blast.
- A souvenier shop and cafe are also in the building
- Located at 74 Republic Street, Valletta, VLT 05, Malta
Fort St Elmo - War Museum 14
Fort St Elmo
War Museum Field Guns
National War Museum is located within the fortifications of Fort St Elmo. Through the entrance near to Marsamxett harbour, i.e. slightly to your left when you reach the bottom of Republic Street. The War Museum concentrates on the second world war.
The star exhibit is probably the 'Faith' Gloster Gladiator bi plane, which with it's sister planes 'Hope' and 'Charity' played such a big part in the air defence of Malta. Although Malta only had the 3 bi-planesearly in the war. They were kept airborne almost constantly for 17 days and they fooled the Italian air force into thinking that the RAF had a far larger fighter force. Unfortunately the . ings have been removed probably to fit the plane into the museum. Malta had 3,000 air raids in 2 years at the height of it's starvation siege, and was the most bombed area during the war
Photograph on immediate left: Fort St. Elmo outer walls
Address: The National War Museum, Fort St Elmo, Valletta VLT 02, Malta
Also at Fort St. Elmo but through a separate entrance are the Fort St. Elmo - Alarme! & In Guardia displays
Bus no 133 stops near War Museum Fort St Elmo
Views of Marsamxett Harbour, Manoel Island & Sliema 15
Great views of Marsamxett Harbour, Manoel Island & fort, Tige Point & fort and Sliema.
Fort St Elmo - >Alarme! & In Guardia
In Guardia re-enactment
Two different parades and display of cannon and musket firing at the Police Academy on only around 35 dates during the year. Please note that this display is in a separate entrance to the War Museum which is further to the east.
Alarme! is a show portraying a series of military encounters between French and Maltese troops during the blockade of 1798 - 1800. The show is staged at Fort St. Elmo in Valletta by the Historical Re-enactment Group of Malta and is organised by the Malta Tourism Authority.
In Guardia. Throughout the year, the Malta Tourism Authority stages the re-enactment of historical military parades at Fort St. Elmo in Valletta, titled In Guardia and dating back to the times of the Knights of St. John. During these parades, around 90 officers and men-at-arms in period costume will perform a series of military drills in the fort's "Place-of-Arms".
At the bottom of Republic Street turn right for the entrance to the Police Academy
Also at Fort St. Elmo but through a separate entrance is the Fort St. Elmo War Museum
Bus no 133 stops at War Museum Fort St Elmo
The Malta Experience 17
The Malta Experience is an Audio Visual Spectacular of the complete Malta's history that lasts 45 - 50 minutes and covers 7000 years of the history of Malta from the Neolithic era then through Roman, Arab and Spanish conquests. This is followed with the arrival of the Knights of St. John's, the turkish siege. The British occupation years including the second World War, ending with the post war era, independence from the British and modern day tourism.
The Malta Experience show is presented by an array of 44 projectors all computer controlled and shown on a 33 foot screen. Spectacular audio sound effects are fed to digital loud speakers and commentary via headphones with a choice of 12 languages
Formally this building was the Hospital of the Knights of St. John's
There is a souvenir & bookshop, and a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Grand Harbour
Location
The Malta Experience is located in the Mediterranean Conference centre, Mediterranean Street (Triq Il Mediterran), near the junction of Hospital Street, roughly half way between Fort St. Elmo and the Siege Bell Memorial
Bus no 133 stops nearby
The Knights Hospitallers 17
Go back in time through sights, sounds and smells from the Crusades to the Great Siege, the building of the hospital and the great medical work of the knights, the battle against the Plague via a walk through experience attraction.
Location
The Knights Hospitallers is located in the Mediterranean Conference centre, in the same building as the above attraction.
Bus no 133 stops at Mediterranean Conference centre
Siege Bell - World War II Memorial 18
Siege Bell
The Siege Bell is a Memorial to the people who died during World War II. Malta was severely bombed by the Axis powers during the war.
The bell is rung daily at noon.
The Siege Bell is located in Mediterranean Street (Triq Il Mediterran) situated between Fort St Elmo and the Lower Barrakka Gardens
Bus no 133 Nearest Bus stop Mediterranean Conference centre
Lower Barrakka Gardens 19
Brilliant Views of Grand Harbour
Toilet inside the gardens
Cafe kiosk just outside the gates
Bus no 133 Near Mediterranean Conference centre
Upper Barrakka Gardens 20
Upper Barrakka Gardens & Gun Saluting Battery
Views over Grand Harbour
View over Grand Harbour
The gardens provide the best Views of Grand Harbour
The gardens are located behind the arch colonade top left of photograph. The guns are located 1 level below on top of the solid ramparts.
You can watch the Noon-day Gun fired from the Gun Saluting Battery which is located one level below the Upper Barrakka Gardens for free at the Upper Barrakka Gardens level.
Toilets & Cafe kiosk are located inside the gardens, restaurantsare located in the streets outside of the gardens
Noon-day Gun & the Gun Saluting Battery 21
Noon Day Gun
Noon-day Gun fired from the Gun Saluting Battery which is locate one level below and slightly in front of the Upper Barrakka Gardens where you can obtain a free brilliant view of this daily ceremony. For a closer view then descend to the Gun Saluting Battery for a small fee.
Visiting the Gun Saluting Battery
For a small fee you can descend to the Gun Saluting Battery at around 11:00 am. The steps are set back from a central location of the Grand Harbour viewing area at the garden side of the colonnade of arches. The volunteers who fire the cannon will explain how the cannons work, the charge that they use, how the cannons are first checked then loaded and fired.
You can remain on the Gun Saluting Battery for the firing of the Noon-day Gun thus getting a much closer view of this excellent spectacular.
A small amount of sawdust is added to the gunpowder, this makes for a more spectacular fireing, adding more flame and more smoke.
After the Noon-Day Gun at 12:30pm
A FREE bus leaves the Gardens for Fort Rinella & the 100 Ton Gun. Note this bus is a one way service. A return to Valetta bus station can be made by a 33 bus fom just outside Fort Rinella which run every 30 minutes Mon-Sat, hourly on Sun.
Like the Noon Day Gun Fort Rinella is operated by volunteers
Barrakka Lift Valletta
- The lift connects Grand Harbour to the Upper Barrakka Gardens
- The lift replaces older lifts that were closed due to economic pressures and eventually dismantled.
- Built in 1911/12 and is 58 m ( 190 ft) tall
- There are 2 cabins that can hold 21 passangers each.
- The lift is located in the ditch on the outer side of of Valletta's walls
- The top entrance is near the southern corner of the gardens above the gun saluting battery
- The bottom in located in the main road Xatt Lacaris, near Lacaris Water Taxi stationThe entrance is through a ground level wide opening in a building, next to a Zebra Crossing
Nearby Attractions:
At the Top
The Gardens, Saluting Battery
At the Bottom:
Larcaris War Rooms. The entrance is located 95 m further along the ditch, on the corner
Auberge de Castille 22
The Auberge de Castille is situated in South Street near the top end of Merchant Street.
The Auberge's were the ins or halls of residence for the Knights of St. Johns. The Auberge de Castille was the largest and after the later improvements to the facade by Grand Master Emanuel Pinto de Fonseca whose coat of arms can be seen over a central window
Now this very imposing and impressive building is the office of the Prime Minister. During World War II it was the British Military headquarters.
St. James Cavalier 23
Various exhibitions are held inside this fortification
Top of City Gate 3
A good view looking down republic Street can be obtained as you cross over the top of City Gate. There are steps down to Repulic Street on either side of the bridge.
Hastings Gardens 24
View of Msida Creek from the fortifications at Hastings Gardens
Hastings Gardens are located on St. John's Bastion, St. Michael's Bastion and curtain wall between the two bastions in Valletta. The gardens themselves are not particularly interesting but the views from the ramparts over Marsamxett harbour, Msida Creek and inland looking over Floriana and beyond are fabulous. It is also an interesting place to see the might of Valletta's fortifications, the thickness of the walls protecting the cannon on the ramparts, on this the landward side, the side from which attacking forces would normally attack from.
The gardens contain a sarcophagus, made of marble, of Francis the Marquis of Hastings near to the entrance to the gardens. Lord Hastings was Governor of Malta from 1824 until his death in 1827.
A memorial to Frederick Cavendish Ponsomby another Malta Governor can be seen at the far end of the gardens.
National Museum of Fine art 25
The National Museum of Fine art is located in Admiralty House, South Street, between St. John's Cavalier and St. Michael's Bastion.
A must for lovers of fine paintings and art
The Fine arts Museum is located in one of Valletta's oldest buildings, in it's early life it was a knights mansion, the British navy took it over as in 1821 as there headquarters for the chief British naval commander of the Mediterranean fleet, hence the name Admiralty House. It became the National Museum of Fine art in 1974.
The Lascaris War Rooms WR
The allied forces underground nerve centre for the defence of Malta in the second World War & Malta's Second Great Siege. See Montgomery's and Eisenhower's offices the allied invasion of sicily.
The War Rooms were where the Invasion of Sicily was planned. See the room where a giant map of the invasion covers the entire wall.
Follow signs near the bus station. The path takes you down through the old fortifications to almost the ground level of the lower main road that circles Valletta