Valletta Old Town Walking Tour: City of the Knights
Historical tour of Valletta, Malta’s fortified capital. We explore the Order of Saint John, the Great Siege, and World War II as we walk the walled city—City Gate, Upper Barrakka Gardens and the Saluting Battery with harbour views, and the magnificent St. John’s Co-Cathedral.
Basic Information
Total time
2h 15m
Language
English, Spanish (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Birgu Main Gate, opposite Cafe Riche Nearest public transport: Il-Birgu - Riche bus stop; Bormla - Riche bus stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Authentic Malta guides.
❗Minimum group size for the tour to take place: 8 participantsBooking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 5 people on them. If you travel in a party of 6 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option of 10€ per person or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the 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.
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.
Highlights
- 1
Knights of St. John
The crusading order of knights who founded and fortified the city of Valletta.
- 2
Great Siege of 1565
The epic battle against the Ottoman Empire that led to the city's construction.
- 3
Valletta's Fortifications
The massive system of bastions and walls that made Valletta an impregnable fortress city.
- 4
World War II History
Learn about Malta’s heroic role as Britain's "unsinkable aircraft carrier" in WWII.
- 5
Grand Harbour Views
Enjoy magnificent gardens with breathtaking panoramic views over the city's famous harbours.
6St. John’s Co-Cathedral
A masterpiece of Baroque architecture and the Knights' conventual church, simple outside, stunning inside.
Map
Birgu Main Gate, opposite Cafe Riche Nearest public transport: Il-Birgu - Riche bus stop; Bormla - Riche bus stop
