This tour is also available as
a Private Tour.
Visit with us the smallest (and the sunniest!) capital in the European Union but at the same time packed with monuments like almost no other! Cross the city gates and once you do it, you will enter a real open air museum!
Listen to the history of this amazing place, inseparably bound with the Crusader knights of the Order of Saint John. They were granted the island of Malta by the Spanish emperor, turning it into one of the most fortified areas in the world.
Valletta was built after the Great Siege of Malta by the mighty Ottoman Empire, since the Order was expecting a new attack. They built an impregnable city that became the most modern in the old world. Walking through the streets of Valletta one has the impression that a knight in his shining armour is about to come around the corner…
The war would come back to Valletta many times, the last and the hardest was during World War II. The island became known as the British “unsinkable aircraft carrier” and a submarine base. Despite the siege and the hunger it was never conquered by the Nazis! And still twice a day this brave city is reverberating with the firing of cannons remembering the times of war.
Besides the narrow, winding streets, colourful balconies, impressive palaces and churches, Valletta has magnificent gardens with breathtaking views over the harbours, the sea and the cities opposite.
Learn with us all about the Maltese capital: from the myths and tales, through the history and secrets up to the typical Maltese foods and drinks.
The tour ends at the St. John’s Co-Cathedral. It may seem simple outside as it was built in a militaristic style but inside this masterpiece simply takes your breath away. Not entering it would be the biggest mistake you could ever make! Hence – you can do it with us, right after the tour.
After discovering the beauty of Valetta join us to discover Malta even better, check out our Mdina and Rabat free tour and to taste the real maltese food join us for Valetta Food Tour!
I recently had the opportunity to participate in a free walking tour in Valletta, Malta, and I must say that I was extremely disappointed with the overall experience. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that there were significant issues that would impact our tour.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by an enormous group of participants. The tour guide suggested that we wait for another 10 minutes in case more people showed up. Surprisingly, she didn’t have a list of registered attendees and instead relied on asking people standing around if they were there for the tour. She mentioned that she usually prepares maps for the tour, but unfortunately, she hadn’t been able to do so this time. Instead, she resorted to Googling information and showing it to us on her phone. Typically, guides come prepared with printed materials, such as A4-sized images, which would have been much more helpful.
Despite my enthusiasm for history, I found myself struggling to stand in the front row just to catch bits and pieces of what the guide was trying to convey. It was evident that she lacked the necessary presentation skills and wasn’t able to engage the participants effectively.
The tour began with a focus on the Crusades, which were indeed significant for Malta. However, the guide assumed a level of historical knowledge that many of us did not possess. We were unable to fully grasp the context of the Knights and their presence on the island. Furthermore, the guide completely skipped over the entire period of Arab culture, except for providing subjective examples that painted the era of Catholicism favorably while disparaging Islam. She made a deliberate effort to highlight negative aspects of Arab rule in Malta, portraying them as unclean and disorganized.
To my dismay, there were also several Islamophobic comments made during the tour. For instance, when discussing the specific material used in the construction of Maltese houses, she mentioned that tourists from Saudi Arabia complained about the difficulty of heating and cooling these homes. Additionally, she remarked that the Muslim population in Malta was very small, and the existence of a mosque was only due to Gaddafi’s financial contribution, implying that it was unnecessary.
This was the first time I regretted taking a guided tour. Despite the kindness and hospitality of the Maltese people, as a Muslim, I felt incredibly unwelcome during the tour. It is disheartening to encounter such ignorance and prejudice in an educational setting. I hope that tour operators in the future will prioritize professionalism and inclusivity to provide a more enriching experience for all participants.
Con el tour se aprende un montón sobre la historia de Malta, pero la guía también nos dió información actual cuando la preguntamos y consejos para comer, salir, etc…
Super completo!
Perfecto para conocer la ciudad y todo lo necesario
Really fantastic tour led by Tracey, thank you. I learnt so much about the history of Valetta (warts and all!) and it current challenges and place in the world. So interesting. Valetta is beautiful and this is an amazing way to learn about its history and culture.
Buena guía y preciosa ciudad
This tour is also available as
a Private Tour.
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