Tourist Information Office
Pick up leaflets and information at the Tourist Information Office at 229 Merchants Street, Valletta. Tel: +356 229154402

St John's Co-Cathedral (see picture above)
The monastic church of the Knights of St John's stark exterior is juxtaposed with a lavish interior, described as the first complete example of the high baroque anywhere. The facade is as austere as the fortifications of Valletta, while the exuberant baroque interior shows the Knights' deep appreciation and patronage of culture and the arts. Gerolamo Cassar designed the Cathedral (1573 - 1577) as one of the first, main buildings in the Knights' new capital. Mattia Preti, the Calabrian artist and Knight later embellished the interior. He designed the intricate carved stonewalls and painted the vaulted ceiling and side altars with scenes from the life of St John. The Cathedral oratory houses one of Europe's most impressive and famous art works, Caravaggio's masterpiece, The Beheading of St John the Baptist. St John's is a shrine to the Knights. Many sons of Europe's noble families from the 16th to 18th centuries lie buried here.

The National Library
Overlooking Republic Square, the 18th Century National Library houses the archives of the Order of St John as well as the records of the Universita (commune) from 1350 to 1818. Fifteen minutes walk from Valletta G-House

National Museum of Fine Arts
This splendid palace, known as Admiralty House during the British period, was built in 1570. From 1821 to 1961, it was the official residence of the British Naval Commander-in-Chief and hosted famous naval men - the last being Lord Mountbatten of Burma, commander of the British fleet in the Mediterranean during World War II. Today, it houses a valuable collection of art with works by Perugino, Tintoretto, Domenico de Michelino, Carpaccio, Guido Reni, Mattia Preti, Ribera, Tiepolo, Antoine de Favray, Mathias Stromer  and Claude Vernet. Also in the museum’s art collection are works by Maltese artists and sculptors Antonio Sciortino, Edward Caruana Dingli and Francesco Zahra.

National Museum of Archeology
Housed in the Auberge de Provence - the museum contains the more important finds from the many prehistoric sites across the Islands. The museum's most prized exhibits are the Maltese Venus and the Sleeping Lady, a prehistoric clay figurine of exquisite workmanship found at the Hypogeum. The museum has extensive interpretation of the prehistoric, megalithic and temple-building periods with models of the temples, with a reconstruction of part of the prehistoric remains found at the Hypogeum. Due to restoration, only the prehistory section is open to the public.

Palace Armoury
With authentic pieces from the early years of the Order in Malta - the period before the Great Siege of 1565, the Palace Armoury is one of the world's greatest arms collections housed in their original buildings, it dates back to 1763. Housed in two halls of the Magisterial Palace are some fine examples of medieval armour and weaponry used by the Knights of St John. Among the exhibits are Grand Master La Valette's suit of armour and a magnificent ceremonial suit made for Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt. The Palace Armoury is about a 10 minute walk from Valletta G-House

Casa Rocca Piccola
A couple of blocks away from Valletta G-House stands the amazing Casa Rocca Piccola, containing over 50 rooms, the majority of which are open for viewing. Over the last few years a Museum of Costume has been opened in the property and also the World War II Air Raid Shelters have provided a dramatic and exciting addition to the tours of the house. Be taken on a historical tour in a house still lived in. On January 2nd 2003 following an extensive restoration program a further 4 stately rooms were added to the guided tours. You will find it a truly unique experience. 74 Republic Street. Tours only, Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. More Info

National War Museum
Malta's important military role under British rule, particularly in the Second World War, is highlighted in the National War Museum. Started by the dedicated efforts of enthusiasts and opened for the public in 1975 it now ranks amongst the most popular tourist stops. Most impressive are the Italian E-boat and other war pieces but also worth a look are the photos depicting the hard conditions the Maltese endured during the war. The George Cross present on the national flag is amongst the displays. Worth visiting for a trip down history (perhaps after watching The Malta Story starring Alec Guinness) it is only 3 minutes walk from Valletta G-House. Fort St Elmo, Valletta VLT 02 | Tel: 2122 2430. More Info

Valletta Living History
This wonderful city vying for the role of European City of Culture 2018 stars in its own audiovisual show. The Embassy Complex in St Lucia Street is the venue for this journey into Valletta's incredible past. More Info

Outside Valletta

Hypogeum | Paola
The Hypogeum, or underground cavity, is a unique monument and a splendid example of architecture in the negative. It was discovered accidentally in 1902 by a stone mason who was laying the foundations of some houses.

The Hypogeum consists of halls, chambers and passages hewn out of the living rock and covering some 500m. The rock-cut chambers are of a diverse shapes and sizes and finished to different standards of workmanship. The complex is grouped in three levels the upper level (3600-3300 BC), the middle level (3300-3000 BC), and the lower level (3150 -2500 BC). The deepest room in the lower level is 10.6 metres under road surface.

Book as early as 1 to 2 months before.

BUSES 1,2,3,4,6 | +356 21 805 018/9 | TICKETS

Palazzo Parisio & Gardens | Naxxar
Unique home of Marquis Scicluna, a 19th century Maltese Palace, a showcase of Maltese and Italian craftsmanship.

Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 18:00 (16:30 last admission)

BUSES 54,55,56,65 | +356 21412 461 | INFO

Inquisitor's Palace | Vittoriosa
Until 1571 this was the Knights' civil law courts. Mgr Pietro Dusina, first general inquisitor made it his official residence on his arrival in 1574. The Inquisition in Malta was introduced to make sure that no outside influence would topple the Roman Catholic Church's hold on the island. Maltese husbands who demanded meat on a Friday could find themselves before the Inquisitor but the Inquisition is said to not have been as draconian as its Spanish sister.

BUS 6 | WATER TAXI | +356 21 806 921 | INFO

Palazzo Falson | Mdina

Former home of a collector of objets d'art, an artist, scholar and philantropist of Swedesh descent. Beautiful setting for the large collection of art and antiques. Excellently restored by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, Palazzo Falson, with its easy to follow audio guides, is one of the most exciting historical home museums I have come across in my travels. Audio guides in various languages accompany you throughout the visit at your own pace. End your tour with a light snack at the coffee bar upstairs, allegedly the highest caffe on the island. More information is available in our library. More Info

Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 17:00. Saturday to Sunday 10:00 to 17:00 in winter, 10:00 to 20:00 in summer (July to September).

BUSES 65,80,81,84,86 | +356 21 454 512 | INFO

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