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 baroque palaces, churches, bastions, and panoramic viewpoints in abundance. 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, historic buildings linked to the Grand Masters' legacy, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens, offering one of Valletta's most postcard-perfect views of the city and harbour. Since 1980, the city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a concentration of historical treasures considered outstanding even by international standards. Valletta was also the European Capital of Culture in 2018. From a sustainable tourism perspective, Valletta (and the Valletta region) has a clear focus on balancing visitor impact with urban functionality, particularly in transport. Initiatives include sustainable urban mobility planning across the region, promoting shared transport solutions, addressing last-mile delivery logistics, reducing high-emission vehicles, implementing smart parking systems, and integrating ferries into public transport. All these measures aim to reduce 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 centres on sustainability and community action through its programmes and collaborations. These efforts align with Malta's 2021–2030 tourism strategy, which emphasises mainstreaming the economic, environmental, and social pillars of sustainability.