Valletta of the Knights, their Armoury, their Cathedral and the Caravaggio Masterpieces
Joined 2025
Valletta is more than Malta’s capital—it holds 500 years of Mediterranean history: political, social, and commercial. Discover its heroic birth, daring design, and mighty fortifications. In under one square kilometre, cloisters stood beside duel-filled streets, noble palaces rose, and sailors flocked for revelry. Visit its architectural gems, enjoy stunning views, and hear the tales these ancient walls still echo. Join me for a tour like no other.
We shall be walking throughout the tour.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
City Gate
- Just outside the main entrance of Valletta, at the beginning of the bridge that traverses the dry moat.
Triton Fountain and the City Gate
The entrance of Valletta and the Triton were refurbished between 2014 and 2018 just before Valletta was declared the culture capital of Europe in 2018.
From outside the entrance of the city we can appreciate the formidable battlements of this fortified city and hear how the approach of the city changed through the ages.
Parliament House and the former Royal Opera House
The building was constructed between 2011 and 2015 to the designs of the renowned Renzo Piano. After years of indecision and inertia the Piano recommended the present site for the new parliament conserving the site of the ruins of the Royal Opera House to adapted to an open-air theatre.
The Church of Our Lady of Victories and Auberge de Castille
This was the first church to be constructed in Valletta and in whose crypt Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Valette, who gave the city his name, was buried 3 years after the Great Siege. It is a few meters from Auberge de Castille which houses the office of the Prime Minister. In view of these two majestic and historic buildings you will hear the story of the beeginning of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta and it shaped the destiny of the Mediterranean Sea.
Upper Barracca Gardens and view of the Grand Harbour
There isn't a better commanding view of the majestic Grand Harbour than from the Upper Barracca Gardens. The port that shaped Malta's history and made us what we are. The Harbour was coveted by the mightiest forces that vied for supremacy in the Mediterranean. Walk in the 17th century gardens designed and built by the Italian knights of the Order for their leisure and make memorable pictures of one of the most iconic views in the Mediterranean.
Merchants Street
We will walk along Merchants Street, Valletta's widest thoroughfare, extending from the city's highest point the Auberge de Castille to the Sacra Infermeria at the tip of the peninsula. Historically, this street served as the center of commodity trading, including gold and silver. Many of its buildings, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, include the Auberge d'Italie, Palazzo Parisio—where Napoleon Bonaparte stayed for six days—the old Law Courts of the Order, the cemetery housing the of the Great Siege, and other significant city landmarks.
Republic Square and St. George's Square
The two squares lie at the heart of the city. The vibrant Republic Square, still fondly referred to as Piazza Regina, houses the Bibliotheca, the final major building constructed by the knights and home to invaluable historical documents, overlooking the white marble statue of Queen Victoria. St. George's Square hosts the Grand Master's Palace on side and the former Chancellery of the Order on the other.
The Grand Masters' Palace
Constructed by the renowned military engineer Girolamo Cassar in 1574, the Palace serves as the official seat of the President of Malta. For centuries it functioned as the residence and administrative center of the Grand Master, encompassing the state rooms and grand council chambers of the knights. Following 1800, it became the British Governor's. Maltese parliament convened here until the inauguration of the new Parliament building near Valletta's entrance in 2015. The Palace houses the Armoury of the knights - although plundered by French forces in 1798, it remains one of the most comprehensive collections of 15th and 16th-century weapons and armor worldwide.
Admission to the Palace is optional and costs €12 per person, a reduced fee of €8 for aged 6 to 11 years applies.
St. John's Co-Cathedral
Undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring religious buildings in the world, this cathedral was commissioned shortly after the founding of Valletta in 1578 as the knights' conventual church. Over the centuries, it was adorned by the finest mausoleums of Grand Masters of the Order, embellished by talented Calabrian artist Mattia Preti and accumulated art treasures. The museum houses two masterpieces by Caravaggio, "The Beheading of St John" and "St. Jerome", painted during the artist's stay in Malta in 1607 and 1608.
The entrance fee to the cathedral, not included, is €15 per person.
Republic Street
We will return to Republic Street, still fondly referred to as Strada Reale by the Maltese. We will walk through the hustle and bustle of Valletta's busiest street lined with a myriad of shops and boutiques selling everything from luxury watches to branded clothes, past the Auberge de Provence, nowadays housing the Museum of Archaeology and the 17th Century chapel of St. Barbara, eventually returning to our original meeting point at City Gate where this tour will conclude.
Ending Point
At the starting meeting point
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Personal, official and fully licensed tour guide
Entrance fees to The Grandmasters' Palace €12 per person (Children 6-11 years €8) and St. John's Co-Cathedral and the Caravaggio Museum, €15 per person
Drinks, beverages or snacks
Tour Important Information
* This tour involves quite a bit of of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. In the hotter months, May to October, a hat and sunglasses are recommended.
* Although we will walk on relatively flat ground with some short hilly stretches, this tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* This tour is not wheelchair accessible unfortunately.
* Since the tour involves a place of worship, ladies should not enter wearing shorts or with bare shoulders; they are advised to bring adequate shawls or coverings.
* Entrance fees to the Grand Masters' Palace and St. John's Co-Cathedral (with the Caravaggio Museum) are not included. The entrance fees cost €12 per person (children 6-11y.o. €8) and €15 respectively.
Should you prefer to skip one or both visits the time allocated can be spent at one of the many open air caffes in the city or simply enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Valletta and its shopping opportunities.
The tour can also be modified to suit your taste and priorities. If there is anything you wish to include, please ask.
Important message from the supplier
I can work Mondays to Saturdays any time except Sundays. Easter, Christmas and New Year's Day on request only.
All my tours can be emended and adjusted to suit your tastes. If there is any place you wish to see or aspects you would like to prioritize, please ask.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2025
About Tour Guide Martin F.
I’m Martin, a fully licensed Maltese tour guide with a lifelong passion for tourism. Over the years, I’ve worked across every facet of the industry—from hotel management to overseeing operations for a leading tourism management company.
I have hosted tour operators, travel agents, and key decision-makers visiting Malta for the first time. My role was to showcase the island's potential and convince them to include Malta as one of their main destinations. I didn’t just plan itineraries—I crafted unforgettable experiences. From cultural and historical highlights to seaside charm, vibrant nightlife, and hidden village gems, I ensured every guest experienced Malta at its most vivid and welcoming.
My career also took me beyond Malta. I’ve managed tourism operations in destinations such as the Azores, Sicily, Dubai, Oman, and the Canary Islands—broadening my perspective and deepening my expertise in destination management.
As a guide, I bring more than just facts. I bring context. I know Malta’s history and its role within the broader story of European events. I know the island’s rhythms, its culture and traditions, and where to find the best cafés, restaurants, and tucked-away treasures. Whether it’s arranging access to the top of a church belfry, exploring closed-off sections of Valletta’s fortifications, or enjoying the peaceful pace of an off-the-map village, I can create experiences that go far beyond the ordinary.
$220/ per group
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