Valletta

Valletta, the small yet incredibly vibrant capital of Malta, is a 16th-century, meticulously planned fortified city built by the Order of St John. Today, it remains the political and cultural hub of the islands. Within just a few streets of the city centre, you'll find baroque palaces, churches, bastions, and panoramic viewpoints. The cityscape is defined by views over the Grand Harbour, stone-carved balconies, narrow streets, and stepped squares. Highlights include the richly decorated interior of St John’s Co-Cathedral, historical buildings tied to the Grand Masters’ legacy, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens area, offering one of Valletta’s most stunning postcard-like city and harbour panoramas. Since 1980, the city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its concentration of historical value is exceptional by international standards, and in 2018, Valletta was also the European Capital of Culture. In terms of sustainable tourism, Valletta (and the Valletta region) demonstrates a clear focus on balancing visitor impact with urban functionality, particularly in transport. Efforts include sustainable urban mobility planning across the region, promoting shared transport solutions, managing “last mile” deliveries, reducing high-emission vehicles, implementing smart parking systems, and integrating ferries into public transport—all aimed at reducing congestion and emissions in the heritage-rich city centre. This urban approach is complemented by local awareness initiatives, such as the Valletta Green Festival, which builds programmes and collaborations centred on sustainability and community action. All of this aligns with Malta’s 2021–2030 tourism strategy, which emphasises mainstreaming the economic, environmental, and social pillars of sustainability. - editorial content -