Location: Valletta
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Things to do in Valletta, Island of Malta: The Best History Museums
Founded in 1565 by the Order of St John as a refuge for soldiers returning from the Crusades, Valletta is now the capital of Malta and a piece of living history. With an unsurpassed collection of original Baroque architecture, fortified city walls overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and the spectacular Co-Cathedral of St John, which features intricately carved stone vaults and a famed painting by Caravaggio, it is no wonder that this smallest of European capital cities is a world heritage site.
Restaurants in Valletta
1. Reliving The Sacra Infermeria
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
An innovative museum concept based on Augmented Reality, housed in one of the most iconic buildings in Valletta - The Sacra Infermeria. A visit to the museum will transport you back in time, whereby you can interact with the main characters and be part of history. A fun and educational experience for everyone.
2. Casa Rocca Piccola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,508 reviews
If you fancy seeing something a little bit different when visiting Valletta go to Casa Rocca Piccola. Often described as a ‘living museum’ it is the only privately owned palace open to the public in the city. Built over 400 years ago for a Knight of Malta, Don Pietro La Rocca it is now the ancestral home of a Maltese Noble family. On your tour the guides will point out interesting things to see such as an 18th Century golden Sedan Chair. There are literally hundreds of magnificent objects to see including modern paintings interspersed with the ancestral portraits of the Marquises de Piro and the Barons of Budach. You will also see a network of tunnels cut out from the rock under Casa Rocca Piccola which were used as Bomb Shelters in World War 2. Over 100 people sheltered here from the Nazi bombs that poured on Valletta. To finish your tour in the cellars of the house there is a delightful Sicilian restaurant called La Giara.
Reviewed By sharonhW264WM - Las Vegas, United States
This magnificent 16th-century palace of a noble Maltese family is the only privately-owned palazzo open to the public and definitely a “must see.” Owned by the Marquis de Piro, the family lives above the two floors that are open to the public, and they use those floors when tours are not going on. Greeted by a large blue and yellow macaw, we started the tour in the enclosed courtyard/garden, enjoying the fountain and the lovely garden. Upstairs we toured the main floor--sitting rooms, dining rooms (one winter/one summer), bedrooms, a study, and a small chapel. We also toured the basement. Originally a well for the house, it was converted to bomb shelter rooms during WWII—one for the family and two others for the local citizens. (Malta was heavily bombed during WWII since it served as Eisenhower’s headquarters for the invasion of Sicily and Italy.) The furnishings and artwork were magnificent, but unlike many palaces that we have visited which seem cold and sterile, this one gave us a really cozy, lived-in feeling. The tour was wonderful. Not only did we get a feel for the house and the family, but also for the place this house held in the history of Malta.
3. Saluting Battery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,670 reviews
The Saluting Battery is one of Malta's most vibrant visitor attractions where history is brought to life daily! Located high along Valletta's eastern historic ramparts it enjoys unrivalled spectacular views of the Grand Harbour and its surrounding fortified towns. It is also perhaps the oldest saluting battery still in operation anywhere in the world. Here one can see a fully restored gun powder magazine, an artillery side-arm store, a handsome collection of original muzzle-loading artillery , ammunition and equipment and get a close-look at the saluting guns. The battery is equipped with audio-guides but guided torus in English are also available three times a day at 11.00, 12.30 And 15.00Hrs.
Reviewed By jamesmif
At noon of everyday, soldiers load and fire the cannons as a commemoration of the 1565 victory on the Ottoman empire and also that of the Second World War in which Malta was heavily involved.
4. Fortifications Interpretation Centre - Fortifications Interpretation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 288 reviews
Reviewed By 537gilk
I passed this museum a number of times with my kids , but didn't enter . There was NO WAY my kids were going to watch Dad read about forts for 2 hours . Soo... I waited till I was Solo in Malta. Loved it , it is a real learning experience , IF you appreciate the science of forts from B.C. to the 20th Cent . They have a number of miniature wood models of many forts in Malta and explanations . The only question is , do you do this before or after you've been to some forts ? (I went after visiting Fort St. Elmo in Valletta , The Citadel on Gozo, The Saint Mary's watchtower on Comino and Fort Tigne in Sliema). My suggestion ? See the forts first , then compare what you learned to the models in the exhibit . A definite learning experience . You will come out smarter then when you went in and all for a few € !
5. Great Siege of Malta and the Knights of St. John
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By Rcdown78 - Hobe Sound, United States
The harbor of Malta, its forts, its history and the entire story of the Knights and the Great Siege...and the extraordinary history of the Knights and the Maltese in fighting off the invading Ottomans....can all come alive here for the interested traveler. This is one of those spots on earth the history of which is still relevant today, and can still speak to us today. Get a good guide (we were delighted w Victoria Cortis) and spend a day or preferably two covering the sacred grounds of this heroic battle.
6. The Knights Hospitallers
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 625 reviews
This is a small museum within the conference centre of the knights of Malta, in Valletta. The Blurb for this reads“Beneath the ‘Sacra Infermeria’, beside the historic Fort St Elmo, you will discover the chivalrous world of the Hospitaller Knights. Wander in an authentic site and relive and experience a past golden age. Now, you can go back in time through sights, sounds and smells – from the Crusades to the Great Siege, the glorious Hospital and the Plague. Travel across 700 years of history, of the Knights of St John.”
Reviewed By 2virginiak - Canberra, Australia
My heritage is Maltese and it was wonderful to see the history of the Island displayed in the magnificent Knights Hospitallers. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and her descriptions were so vivid I could see the hospital beds, patients and nurses in the empty halls. A great experience if you're ever in Valletta and while you're there check out the Malta Experience as well.
