Valletta, Malta

Uncovering authentic local finds and having experiences that make you feel like you’ve really connected with a place are important elements in ensuring an extraordinary vacation. We’re taking advantage of our partnership with Travel + Leisure to get their editors’ recommendations and insider tips on the places you will want to visit. Here are their picks for just one of the 150 destinations they covered.

Must-Sees from the Editors of
Travel + Leisure

St. John's Co-Cathedral
Don’t let the austere façade—reminiscent of a 16th-century military fort—fool you. It hides an ornate Baroque interior made up of carved stone walls and painted ceilings, many of which have figures that are so detailed that they almost look three-dimensional. An extensive selection of Flemish tapestries and two works by Caravaggio are also on view in the church’s museum.

Grand Master's Palace
Built more than 400 years ago, this stone castle has long housed Malta’s ruling party—first the knights, then the British, and now the president. Visitors can take free tours of the palace when parliament is not in session. Don’t miss the Armory on the ground floor and the 17th-century Gobelin tapestries depicting scenes from the Caribbean and South America, which were recently discovered paradises when the works were woven.

Mdina
Only city residents are allowed to drive within this hilltop town’s ancient stone walls, and since there are only 300 of them, it’s no wonder that Mdina’s nickname is “the silent city.” This is good news for pedestrians, who can explore the maze of cobblestoned streets, which link a 12th-century cathedral, a museum of medieval history, and a handful of cafés and restaurants.

Be sure to visit our Shore Excursions page or speak with our onboard Destination Concierge for arrangements to any of these must-sees.

To learn more about this exciting port, please refer to our Port Explorer guide.