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Valletta Guided Walking Tour with Licenced Guide

By Robert Arrigo & Sons
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $30 per adult
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages
Overview

Embark on an enchanting guided tour through the vibrant streets of Valletta, where you will unveil the captivating beauty and unique charm of Malta's illustrious capital. Founded by the Knights of St. John in 1566, Valletta stands as a fortified marvel that has gracefully withstood the test of time, showcasing a rich historical tapestry that is both fascinating and educational.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a history spanning nearly five centuries, is often celebrated as an open-air museum brimming with stories waiting to be uncovered by all who visit.

As you meander through Valletta’s bustling streets, prepare to be mesmerised by its formidable fortifications, grand Baroque palaces, magnificent churches, picturesque gardens, and a stunning array of architectural styles that span from mid-16th-century Baroque to modernism. Valletta is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable and charming cities you will ever visit, offering an experience that transcends time.

Activity location

  • Triton Fountain
    • Vjal Nelson Il-Belt Valletta
    • Valletta, Malta

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • The Phoenicia Malta
    • Floriana, Malta

Check availability

With English-Speaking Guide
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English

With English-Speaking Guide

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:30 a.m.
Price details
CA $30.41 x 1 AdultCA $30.41
Total
Price is CA $30.41
Until Sun, Jul 13
With French-Speaking Guide
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • French

With French-Speaking Guide

Language options: French
Starting time: 9:30 a.m.
Price details
CA $30.41 x 1 AdultCA $30.41
Total
Price is CA $30.41
Until Sun, Jul 13
With German-Speaking Guide
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • German

With German-Speaking Guide

Language options: German
Starting time: 9:30 a.m.
Price details
CA $30.41 x 1 AdultCA $30.41
Total
Price is CA $30.41
Until Sun, Jul 13
With Italian-Speaking Guide
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • Italian

With Italian-Speaking Guide

Language options: Italian
Starting time: 9:30 a.m.
Price details
CA $30.41 x 1 AdultCA $30.41
Total
Price is CA $30.41
Until Sun, Jul 13
With Spanish-Speaking Guide
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • Spanish

The tour is done with a Spanish-speaking guide or with an English-speaking guide together with a Spanish-speaking translator.

Language options: Spanish
Starting time: 9:30 a.m.
Price details
CA $30.41 x 1 AdultCA $30.41
Total
Price is CA $30.41
Until Sun, Jul 13

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedLicenced tour guide
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedHotel pick-up and drop-off
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedFood and drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedAdmission to St. John's Co-Cathedral (optional visit; entry ticket to be paid on location)
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedAdmission to an audio-visual show (optional visit; entry ticket to be paid on location)
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedAny admissions elsewhere in Valletta.
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedService charge (optional)

Know before you book

  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The meeting point is in front of the Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta (near the main staircase entrance of the hotel).
  • The meeting time is at 9:30 AM. Please make sure to arrive at the meeting point in time; we always recommend arriving 5-10 minutes before the activity's start time.
  • The guide will have a list of all participants and will ask all guests waiting in front of the Phoenicia Hotel for their names.
  • The tour will be guided in the language that you have booked; however, please note that occasionally, due to operational circumstances, a multilingual guide (limited to a maximum of two languages) might provide the commentary in two languages.
  • The tour in Polish will be conducted by either a Polish-speaking guide (subject to availability) or an English-speaking guide together with a native Polish host serving as a translator.
  • The tour in Spanish will be conducted by either a Spanish-speaking guide (subject to availability) or an English-speaking guide together with a Spanish-speaking host serving as a translator.
  • The visit of St. John’s Co-Cathedral is optional. If you would like to visit the cathedral, you must pay for the admission ticket on location.
  • If you do not wish to visit the cathedral, you will have some free time (approximately 30–40 minutes) to roam around the streets of Valletta until you meet again with the rest of the group at a designated time and place.
  • The cost of the admission ticket for the optional visit to the St. John’s Co-Cathedral is €15 for adults and free of charge for children under the age of 12 years. Please note that the fees can change without prior notice.
  • The audio-visual show at the end of the tour is an optional experience, allowing guests to choose whether or not to join in. If you wish to skip the audio-visual show, you can conclude your tour without attending.
  • The audio-visual show is generally done at the end of the tour at the Malta Experience theatre; however, the provider reserves the right to change the time and venue for the audio-visual show without prior notice.
  • The cost of the admission ticket for the optional audio-visual show is €20 for adults, €9 for children between the ages of 5 and 11, and free of charge for infants under the age of 5 years. Please note that the fee can change without prior notice. Please note that the fees can change without prior notice.
  • The order of the visits and the itinerary are subject to change without prior notice, depending on weather conditions, restrictions, unforeseen circumstances, or other operational constraints.
  • The tour will operate as scheduled, rain or shine.
  • The tour is not recommended for travellers with mobility impairments.

Activity itinerary

Triton Fountain
  • 5m
The Tritons’ Fountain is a fountain located just before the entrance to the city of Valletta. It consists of three bronze Tritons (gods of the sea) holding up a large basin, balanced on a concentric base built out of concrete and clad in 730 tonnes of travertine slabs. The fountain is one of Malta's most important modernist landmarks.
Valletta City Gate
  • 5m
The City Gate is a gate located at the entrance of Valletta. The present gate, which is the fifth one to have stood on the site, was built between 2011 and 2014 to designs of the Italian architect Renzo Piano. The first gate to the city was built in 1566.
The New Parliament
  • 5m
  • Admission ticket not included
The Parliament House is the meeting place of the Parliament of Malta. The building was constructed between 2011 and 2015 to designs by Renzo Piano as part of the City Gate Project, which also included building a new City Gate and converting the ruins of the Royal Opera House into an open-air theatre. Please note that our visit will be external only, and we will not be entering the Parliament House.
Pjazza Teatru Rjal
  • 5m
  • Admission ticket not included
The Royal Opera House, also known as the Royal Theatre, was an opera house and performing arts venue in Valletta, Malta. It was designed by the English architect Edward Middleton Barry and was erected in 1866. In 1873, its interior was extensively damaged by fire but was eventually restored by 1877. The theatre received a direct hit from aerial bombing in 1942 during World War II. Prior to its destruction, it was one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in Valletta. After several abandoned plans to rebuild the theatre, the ruins were redesigned as an open-air theatre by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, and in 2013, it once again started functioning as a performance venue, called "Pjazza Teatru Rjal." Please note that our visit will be external only, and we will not be entering Royal Opera House.
Auberge de Castille (Castile)
  • 5m
  • Admission ticket not included
The Auberge de Castille, historically known as the Auberge de Castille et Portugal, is an auberge located at Castile Place, close to Saint James Cavalier, the Malta Stock Exchange, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. It sits at the highest point of Valletta and overlooks Floriana and the Grand Harbour area. Built in the Baroque style under the magistracy of Portuguese Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca in the 1740s, it replaced a 1574 building erected to house knights of the Order of Saint John from the langue of Castile, León and Portugal. Please note that our visit will be external only, and we will not be entering the Auberge de Castille.
St. James Cavalier
  • 5m
  • Admission ticket not included
Saint James Cavalier is a 16th-century cavalier that was built by the Order of St. John. It overlooks St. James' Bastion, a large obtuse-angled bastion forming part of the Valletta Land Front. It was designed by the Italian military engineer Francesco Laparelli, while its construction was overseen by his Maltese assistant Girolamo Cassar. St. James Cavalier never saw use in any military conflict, but it played a role during the Rising of the Priests in 1775. The cavalier is located in Castille Square, close to Auberge de Castille, the Central Bank of Malta, the Parliament House, the Malta Stock Exchange, and the post office at Dar Annona. The cavalier was restored as part of Malta's Millennium Project. It is now a cultural centre known as "Spazju Kreattiv" (Maltese for Creative Space). Please note that our visit will be external only, and we will not be entering the Saint James Cavalier.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
  • 15m
A visit to the Upper Barrakka Gardens is a must; here, you can take in breathtaking views of the magnificent Grand Harbour, providing a perfect backdrop for memorable photographs. The gardens are located on the upper tier of Saints Peter and Paul Bastion, which was built in the 1560s. The bastion's lower tier contains the saluting battery. The garden's terraced arches were built in 1661 by the Italian knight Fra Flaminio Balbiani. They were originally roofed, but the ceiling was removed following the Rising of the Priests in 1775.
Republic Street (Pass by)
Republic Street, historically known as Strada Reale or Kingsway, is a principal street in the capital city of Valletta. It is about 1 kilometre long (0.6 miles) and is known for legislative, judicial, and commercial purposes. It is mostly pedestrianised. Republic Street extends from City Gate towards the granaries at Fort St. Elmo. In its downward course, the high street runs perpendicular with several other streets given Valletta's grid layout. It also encounters several buildings and squares of note, such as City Gate, Freedom Square, the Parliament of Malta, Palazzo Ferreria, Royal Opera House, the Archaeology Museum, St. John's Square, the Courts of Justice, the Casino Maltese, Republic Square, Grandmaster's Palace, St. George's Square, Spinola Palace, The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, Casa Rocca Piccola and others.
Republic Square
  • 5m
Republic Square is a piazza in Valletta. The square was originally called Piazza Tesoreria or Piazza dei Cavallieri since the treasury of the Order of Saint John was located in the square. After a statue of Queen Victoria was installed in the square in the 19th century, it became known as Queen's Square or Piazza Regina. Although its official name is Republic Square, it is still commonly referred to as Piazza Regina.
St. George’s Square
  • 5m
Described as the heart of the capital, St. George’s Square is Valletta’s largest and most prominent square. Dating back to the 17th century, it has witnessed some of the most notable events in the island’s history, including royal visits, victory celebrations, and even the presentation of the George Cross in 1942.
Grandmaster's Palace
  • 5m
  • Admission ticket not included
The Grandmaster's Palace, officially known as The Palace, was built between the 16th and 18th centuries as the palace of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John, who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798, and was also known as the Magisterial Palace. When the knights were expelled by Napoleonic France, it became the National Palace. During the period of British rule beginning in 1800, it was the Governor's Palace. The Palace currently houses the Office of the President of Malta. Please note that our visit will be external only, and we will not be entering the Grandmaster's Palace.
St. John's Co-Cathedral
  • 45m
  • Admission ticket not included
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to enjoy some free time (approximately 30-40 minutes) or partake in a guided visit to the magnificent co-cathedral dedicated to St. John the Baptist (optional visit—admission ticket to be paid on location). Constructed by the Order of the Knights of St. John shortly after the Great Siege of 1565 and completed in 1577, this cathedral is undeniably one of the most awe-inspiring religious sites in the world, renowned for its riches, adorned interiors, stunning artwork, and intricate design. One of the most remarkable features of the cathedral is the impressive marble floor, which is composed of nearly 400 tombstones of knights and officers of the Order. Amongst other valuable artworks, the cathedral also houses 'The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist' by renowned artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, which is regarded as one of his greatest masterpieces and is the only work signed by the painter.
Merchants Street (Pass by)
Merchant's Street is located in the historic city centre of Valletta. Merchant's Street goes through the heart of the city, exhibiting a vast array of old and new shops, markets, and palaces.
Auberge d'Italie
  • 5m
  • Admission ticket not included
The Auberge d'Italie was built in various stages in the late 16th century to house knights of the Order of Saint John from the langue of Italy, and it originally had a Mannerist design by Girolamo Cassar and several other architects. The building continued to be modified throughout the course of the 17th century, with the last major renovation being carried out in the 1680s during the magistracy of Gregorio Carafa, giving the building a Baroque character. It is now converted to host the National Museum of Fine Arts, also known as MUŻA. Please note that our visit will be external only, and we will not be entering the Auberge d'Italie or visiting the National Museum of Fine Arts.
Fort St Elmo - National War Museum
  • 5m
  • Admission ticket not included
Fort Saint Elmo stands on the seaward shore of the Sciberras Peninsula that divides Marsamxett Harbour from Grand Harbour and commands the entrances to both harbours along with Fort Tigné and Fort Ricasoli. It is best known for its role in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Since 1975, part of the fort has housed the National War Museum. Please note that our visit will be external only, and we will not be entering the Fort or visiting the National War Museum.
The Malta Experience
  • 30m
  • Admission ticket not included
Before concluding your enriching experience, at the last stop on our itinerary, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy an engaging audio-visual show about the history of Malta (optional visit—admission ticket to be paid on location). This educational, informative, and entertaining presentation delves into the tumultuous history of this small island nation, which has triumphed over immense challenges to thrive and flourish. The audio-visual show at the end of the tour is an optional experience, allowing guests to choose whether or not to join in. If you wish to skip the audio-visual show, you can conclude your tour without attending. The audio-visual show is generally done at the end of the tour at the Malta Experience theatre; however, the provider reserves the right to change the time and venue for the audio-visual show without prior notice.
Valletta (Pass by)
The order of the visits and the itinerary are subject to change without prior notice, depending on weather conditions, restrictions, unforeseen circumstances, or other operational constraints.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESTriton Fountain
    • Vjal Nelson Il-Belt Valletta
    • Valletta, Malta

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLEThe Phoenicia Malta
    • Floriana, Malta

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