Valletta

Valletta, the capital of Malta, is a magnificent, compact baroque city built in the sixteenth century by the Knights of St John, a UNESCO gem of honey-coloured limestone on a fortified peninsula between two great harbours. One of the smallest capitals in Europe, its grid of steep streets is packed with grand palaces, auberges, and above all St John's Co-Cathedral, whose austere exterior hides a breathtaking gilded baroque interior and a masterpiece by Caravaggio, all with sweeping views over the Grand Harbour.

What you actually see

• St John's Co-Cathedral - the gilded baroque interior and Caravaggio.
• The Grand Harbour - the views from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
• The palaces and streets - the Grand Master's Palace and steep lanes.
• The fortifications - the mighty walls and bastions.

When to go

Spring and autumn for the mildest weather and thinner crowds; summer is hot and busy, especially when cruise ships dock. The city is compact and walkable, best explored on foot, with its steep streets and harbour views lovely in the softer light of morning and evening.

Honest expectations

It is small, so it is seen in a day, and it can be crowded when cruise ships are in. The steep streets and steps are tiring. St John's Co-Cathedral charges entry and enforces a dress code, with no stiletto heels to protect the marble tomb floors. Its baroque splendour and harbour setting, though, are genuinely magnificent for such a small capital.

Nearby

The Three Cities across the harbour, Mdina and the whole small island are close.