VallettaStory N° 260
Valletta & Mdina: Malta's Old Souls
Wander the honey-stone streets of Valletta and Mdina, Malta's silent medieval city of memories
The itinerary.
4 days · 12 stops
Thursday
Day One
Arrive in Valletta, the Baroque capital built by the Knights of St John, and lose yourself in its grid of golden limestone streets at golden hour.
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St John's Co-Cathedral
A gilded Baroque masterpiece housing Caravaggio's 'The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist', the only canvas he ever signed.
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Upper Barrakka Gardens
Terraced gardens overlooking the Grand Harbour, where the Saluting Battery fires its cannon at noon and 4pm as it has for centuries.
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Caffe Cordina
A historic 1837 cafe on Republic Street for pastizzi and coffee under frescoed ceilings, a Valletta institution.
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Hotel
The Saint John Boutique Hotel booking.com
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Getting around
- Arriving at Malta International Airport and taking a taxi or the X4 bus into Valletta
Friday
Day Two
A slow day inside Mdina, the 'Silent City', where no cars disturb the medieval lanes the Knights once rode through.
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Mdina Old City
Walk the hushed alleys of this fortified hilltop town, founded by the Phoenicians and home to barely 300 residents who keep it silent.
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St Paul's Cathedral
A Baroque cathedral on the spot where, by tradition, St Paul met the Roman governor Publius after his shipwreck on Malta.
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Fontanella Tea Garden
A rooftop cafe on the bastion walls famous for its chocolate cake and sweeping views over the island.
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St Paul's Catacombs, Rabat
An ancient underground Roman and early-Christian burial complex just outside Mdina's gates.
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Hotel
The Saint John Boutique Hotel booking.com
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Getting around
- Day trip from Valletta to Mdina by bus (route 51) or taxi, about 30 minutes
Saturday
Day Three
Cross the harbour to the Three Cities, the original maritime heart of Malta, for a day of quiet waterfronts and faded grandeur.
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Fort St Angelo, Birgu
The fortress at the centre of the 1565 Great Siege of Malta, looming over the creeks of the Three Cities.
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Birgu (Vittoriosa) Waterfront
Stroll the restored quay of bobbing yachts beneath ochre townhouses, then wander the inland streets of Collachio.
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Tal-Petut
An intimate home-style Maltese supper club in Birgu serving rabbit and local platters by reservation.
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Hotel
The Saint John Boutique Hotel booking.com
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Getting around
- Traditional dgħajsa water-taxi across the Grand Harbour from Valletta to Birgu
Sunday
Day Four
A final leisurely morning of memories before departure, with one last walk along the Valletta bastions.
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Fort St Elmo & National War Museum
The star-shaped fort guarding Valletta's tip, telling Malta's story from antiquity through the WWII siege.
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Strait Street
A final wander down the once-notorious sailors' lane, now lined with quiet wine bars and faded history.
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Hotel
The Saint John Boutique Hotel booking.com
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Getting around
- Taxi from Valletta to Malta International Airport for departure
Location.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for Valletta & Mdina: Malta's Old Souls?
4 days. The itinerary runs from Thursday to Sunday and covers 12 curated stops across 4 days.
How much does Valletta & Mdina: Malta's Old Souls cost?
Mid-range — €150–300 per day per person.
Where do you stay during Valletta & Mdina: Malta's Old Souls?
The Saint John Boutique Hotel is the recommended base for the trip; the full hotel list per day is in the itinerary section.
What's included in the Valletta & Mdina: Malta's Old Souls itinerary?
Day-by-day stops at 12 restaurants, museums, viewpoints and landmarks; transportation hints between each leg; and a hotel base in Valletta.
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