Valletta, also known as The Fortress City or Citta’ Umilissima, is Malta’s capital city, named after its founder the Grand Master of the Order of St. John, Jean Parisot de la Valette. The magnificent fortress city grew on the Mount Sceberras peninsula, which rises steeply from two deep harbours: Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour. In an astonishingly short time of fifteen years, Valletta was completed with its impressive bastions, forts, and cathedral.

World War II brought great havoc to Malta; Valletta was badly destroyed by bombardment, although the city managed to withstand the war with many of its treasures intact.

Today Valletta has a smaller population than before the war, but it is a bustling place. Hosting a vast cultural programme, Valletta holds an intriguing historical site around every corner: votive statues, niches, fountains, and coats of arms high up on parapets. Narrow side streets are full of tiny, quaint shops and cafes, while Valletta’s main streets are lined with larger international branded shops with fashion, music, jewellery, and more.