Things to see and do Valletta

In the city centre, a classic building dating back to 1796 with columns. Here, all the Order's administrative documents are archived from 1107 to 1798. The amateurs can see the evidence of the districts of nobility of the knights (the Processi Nobili), the Charter of the gift of the island to the Order by Charles Quint where his seal is affixed, the Charter of 1107 granted to Baudouin I, King of Jerusalem, as well as most of the records of meetings of the Knights in the th century. In all, about 4 million documents.

One of the world's most impressive collections, with 5,000 items ranging from the ^16th to the ^18th century: armor, swords, daggers and weapons of all kinds. The room on the left contains crossbows, a few suits of armor, a cannon balance weighing up to 3 tons, as well as cannons and their cannonballs. Unusually, the cannonballs are larger than the calibers of their barrels. The room on the right is mainly devoted to armor, which became the property of the Order after the death of a knight. Complete suits of armor by several great masters can be admired, including that of Alof de Wignacourt and Jean Parisot de La Valette, founder of the city. Some are beautifully crafted; others bear the marks of battle.

It was first called Piazza del Tesoro , Treasure Square, since the treasure of the Order of St. John was located in this square, and then Queen's Square, after the installation in the 19th century of a statue of Queen Victoria. Today it is overrun by the shady terrace of the Caffè Cordina, installed in the 18th century building that served as the treasury of the Order of St. John and whose vaulted ceilings are decorated with frescoes by Giuseppe Cali. Here you can have a drink in the shade of the statue of Queen Victoria.

After much controversy, since its construction required EUR 90 million, this new Parliament was inaugurated in May 2015. Its façade features more than 7 000 blocks of ochre globigerine stone in harmony with the surrounding Baroque buildings, alternating with reflective mirrors that shine in the sun and help to regulate the building's energy consumption. After prior booking, you can discover the interior and complete the visit with the Museum of Maltese History and Political Development.

The very massive St James Tower (th century), once abandoned, now houses a very interesting cultural centre. The capital thus has an indispensable tool for its radiation. This also shows how the remains of the past, many in the country, can be usefully rehabilitated. And it's very successful. Temporary exhibitions of photographs, paintings, ceramics and various other forms of art (theatre) are held in beautiful vaulted, clear, spacious and beautifully renovated rooms. And if you are not interested in exhibitions, you can only go to the building, its architecture, its rehabilitation. Concerts, often free of charge, take place. And a cinema offers recent or old films, thematic festivals. Meetings are held in the evening only at € 5. A programme of exhibitions and events is available at the entrance or the tourist office. There is also a large souvenir shop, a bar with terrace and a nice restaurant offering some Maltese specialities.

This is the residence of chaplains during the reign of the Order. They, often councillors of great masters and knights, have the role of writing correspondence and treaties.

It was built in 1571 by the Knights of Saint John and renovated in 1765. Despite this restoration, most of the works of art that lie inside the church date from the church of origin.

Designed by Francesco Buonamici, it was founded by the Jesuits in 1592 to teach philosophy, literature and theology. The Jesuits were expelled from the island by the great master Emmanuel Pinto de Fonseca and recalled under the English occupation. The university then became public, and medicine and surgery were also taught there. By its shape and ornaments, it reminds us of the Jesuit church in Rome, and contains many paintings and liturgical objects. Today it is the setting for the solemn ceremonies of the University of Malta.

It was built in 1598 and completed in the 17th century by the great master Gregorio Carfa, whose coat of arms adorns the façade. The side extension is designed in 1920 by the Maltese architect E. Borg. This church is one of the first in the country to have designed the interior in the Baroque style. Paintings by Mattia Preti, Pietro Galiardi and Filippo Paladini can be seen here. Its dry, classical façade blends discreetly into the major axis that is Republic Street.

This church was originally the church of a religious school for girls opened in 1692 by a Maltese Jesuit. Orphans or girls were placed in poor families.

Located near the Grand Master's Palace and the Church of Our Lady of Damascus, this new Postal Museum was inaugurated with great pomp and circumstance in 2016. Housed in a mid-20th century house, designed by architect Giuseppe Cachia Caruana and completely renovated, it provides an insight into the historical role played by the Post in Malta since the 16th century. For example, you can admire the first Maltese stamp with the yellow Halpenny; a letter signed by Lord Nelson; a poignant love letter from an Italian in prison during the war and an impressive collection of stamps by Emvin Cremona, the very famous red motorbike of the Maltese postmen, the "James Captain", etc. Two galleries offer a temporary exhibition of photographs by Richard Ellis, the other one offers a presentation of the work of Emvin Cremona, considered by all to be one of the greatest Maltese artists of the 20th century. Note that it is possible to go on a treasure hunt (all different if you are 8, 15 or even 40 years old) within the museum which makes it very fun for those who are not passionate about stamps. The children are crazy about it because they have a reserved space where they can put on the postman's uniform or design their own stamp. In the shop area you can personalise everything: colourful cards, stationery, stamps and even the mascot specially created by the museum, Peppi Pustier. You will be able to put your personal holiday photos or any other image you like on these objects.

You will notice the beautiful, finely carved columns still standing and the stairs at the entrance of the former "Opera House". Built in 1866 in a neoclassical style by the English architect Edward Middleton Barry (known for the Covent Garden Theatre in London), it was almost completely disintegrated under German bombs during the Second World War. Without altering the site, an open-air amphitheatre was redeveloped. Named Pjazza Teatru Rjal (Royal Theatre Square) and inaugurated in August 2013. It hosts many performances.

Featuring interactive museology, it will enable you to discover the evolution of Malta's fortifications. Located in rue Saint-Marc, it aims to explore the evolution of Malta's fortresses throughout the island's history, and to bring to life a vanished world in order to better understand the different stages of the island's fortifications and the defense strategies implemented by its administrators throughout its history.

Why not take advantage of your stay in Malta to discover its larger neighbor, Sicily? An island that, on a clear day, you'll surely have flown over before arriving in Malta. This company proposes a day of discovery with the following key points: departure by catamaran from Valletta, arrival in Pozzallo, a small fishing village, then a visit by coach to set course for Mount Etna (Silvestri craters), lunch, then discovery of Syracuse and Greek culture in Sicily. Stop-offs to sample wines and honey-almond sweets.