Our guided tour through the vibrant streets of Valletta will allow you to discover the beauty and charm of the capital city of Malta; a fortified city built by the Knights of St. John in 1566.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety and with a history spanning almost 5 centuries, Valletta is regarded by many as an open-air museum! With its imposing fortifications and bastions, amazing baroque palaces, marvellous churches, gorgeous gardens, and beautiful architecture ranging from mid-16th century baroque to modernism, Valletta is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary and charming cities you will ever visit.
Stroll past the historic buildings, admire exquisite baroque architecture and appreciate the magnificence of the St John’s Co-Cathedral, take in the views of the Grand Harbour from the terraced Upper Barrakka Gardens and enjoy a must-see audio-visual show about the history of Malta.
9:30 AM is the approximate start time of the activity and not the time when you will be picked up from your hotel (or closest meeting point). At least a few days before the date of your activity, you need to make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pick-up location and pick-up time. Your pick-up time can be any time between 8:30 AM and 9:15 AM, depending on where you are staying.
During this tour, we will walk through the bustling streets of Valletta, admiring the stunning buildings (some dating back to the 16th century) and the distinctive architecture of the city – the city is Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical, and Modern architecture. We will walk past the Grand Master's Palace, the recently restored St. George's Square, and many other remarkable landmarks.
A visit to the Upper Barrakka Gardens is a must; here, you can take in breathtaking views of the magnificent Grand Harbour, providing a perfect backdrop for memorable photographs. The gardens are located on the upper tier of Saints Peter and Paul Bastion, which was built in the 1560s. The bastion's lower tier contains the saluting battery. The garden's terraced arches were built in 1661 by the Italian knight Fra Flaminio Balbiani. They were originally roofed, but the ceiling was removed following the Rising of the Priests in 1775.
Then we will visit the marvellous co-cathedral dedicated to St. John the Baptist, built by the Order of the Knights of St. John soon after the Great Siege of 1565 and completed in the year 1577; it is unquestionably one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals. Here you will be able to appreciate and admire all its riches: the adorned interiors, carved stone walls, painted vaulted ceilings, beautiful paintings, precious relics, rich baroque art, and opulent altars. The entry ticket and guided tour of the cathedral are optional (select this option when booking). If you select the option that does not include the visit to the cathedral, while the rest of the group will have a guided tour of the cathedral (approximately 45 minutes), guests booking this option will have some free time to roam around the streets of Valletta until we meet again with the rest of the group at a designated time and place.
Before the end of this half-day tour, we will enjoy a must-see audio-visual show. Educational, informative, and entertaining, the show runs through the turbulent history of a small island nation that has overcome almost unimaginable odds to survive and prosper. The audio-visual show will enrich your understanding of the islands, its people, and its rich history through beautiful imagery and a gripping commentary. The audio-visual show is generally done at the end of the tour at the Malta Experience theatre; however, the provider reserves the right to change the time and venue for the audio-visual show without prior notice.
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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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