Valletta Half-Day Guided Tour with Optional Cathedral Tour
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.
Options
English Including Cathedral
Including St. John's Cathedral: With an English-speaking guide. This option includes the entry ticket and a guided tour of the St. John's Co-Cathedral.
Meeting Point/Pick-Up Time: Make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pickup location (meeting point) and pickup time.
Pickup included
What's included in Valletta Half-Day Guided Tour with Optional Cathedral Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Valletta
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.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
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.
St. John's Co-Cathedral
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.
Inclusions
- Entry ticket to an audio-visual show about the history of Malta
- Pick-up and drop-off transfers (choose your preferred location from one of our meeting points)
- Licenced tour guide
- Admission ticket to St. John's Co-Cathedral (only if you book the option 'Including Cathedral')
- Admission ticket to St. John's Cathedral is not included if you book the option 'Without Cathedral'
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities (optional)
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The time shown on the website or on your ticket 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 anytime between 8:30 AM and 9:15 AM, depending on where you are staying.
- The tour will be guided in the language you have booked, however please note that at times, depending on operational circumstances, the commentary might be provided by a multilingual guide (limited to a maximum of 2 languages).
- The tour in Polish will be conducted by either a Polish-speaking guide (subject to availability) or an English-speaking guide together with a native Polish host serving as a translator.
- The tour in Spanish will be conducted by either a Spanish-speaking guide (subject to availability) or an English-speaking guide together with a Spanish-speaking host serving as a translator.
- The entry ticket to St. John's Co-Cathedral is only included if you book the option that includes the visit to the Cathedral.
- If you select the option that does not include the visit to the cathedral, while other guests will be visiting the cathedral, you will have some free time (approximately 30–40 minutes) to roam around the streets of Valletta until you meet again with the rest of the group at a designated time and place.
- Not recommended for travellers with mobility impairments
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Please arrive at the pick up point 60 minutes before departure time.
Additional Information
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.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
• The time shown on the website or on your ticket 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. • To confirm your pick-up location (meeting point) and your pick-up time, please send an e-mail to [email protected] at least a few days before the date of your activity. Make sure to include your booking reference number in the e-mail. • It is very important that you arrive at your pick-up location (meeting point) at the given time; however, if transport is a bit delayed due to unexpected traffic conditions, do not become alarmed. Please allow up to 15 minutes of waiting time before contacting our emergency number. • The entry ticket to St. John's Co-Cathedral is only included if you have booked the option that includes the visit to the cathedral. • Out of respect for all guests who would already be waiting on the bus/coach, as well as other guests who would be waiting for their pick-up at their respective meeting points, please be aware that transport will not wait for late arrivals, as this will only cause an ensuing series of delays to the entire pick-up process and the tour; therefore, please ensure you are waiting at the correct meeting point at the given time by the provider. If you miss your transport, you will not be able to join the tour later; this is a tour in motion, and therefore joining the tour will be logistically impossible. No refunds will be given to any customers who are late for their pick-up.
