Valletta

Valletta, the compact yet incredibly vibrant capital of Malta, is a 16th-century, purposefully designed 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 an array of baroque palaces, churches, bastions, and scenic viewpoints. The cityscape is characterised 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, historic buildings tied to the Grand Master’s legacy, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens, which offer one of Valletta’s most postcard-perfect panoramas of the city and harbour. Since 1980, the city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its concentration of historical treasures is exceptional even by international standards, and in 2018, Valletta was also named the European Capital of Culture. From the perspective of sustainable tourism, Valletta (and the wider Valletta region) demonstrates a clear focus on balancing visitor impact with urban functionality, particularly in transport. Efforts include sustainable urban mobility planning for 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 within the historic city centre. This urban approach is complemented by local awareness initiatives, such as the Valletta Green Festival, which specifically 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 -