European Cruises

HIGHLIGHTS

Valletta

With its elaborate architecture buildings and old cathedrals, the Maltese capital is a stunner. Valletta is a small city located on the northeast portion of the Malta Island and overlooks the Grand Harbor to the southeast and Marsamxett Harbor to the northwest. Cruise ship passengers can see the old sixteenth-century, Baroque style buildings as they approach the Valletta cruise terminal, and walk the city’s lively streets like Triq ir-Repubblika and Triq il-Merkanti when the ship docks at the port. Valleta is officially recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and serves as the principal cultural center of Malta.

1- Where to stay

Asti Guesthouse
A 350 year-old building converted into a guesthouse, Asti has an old-school Valletta charm and offers the best-value accommodation in town, including a hospitable host, simple, spacious rooms and spotless shared bathrooms. Breakfast is served in a dining room under a chandelier.
Tel: 2123 9506

http://mol.net.mt/asti

18 Triq Sant’Orsla

Coronation Guesthouse
An affordable and cheerful place, with shared bathroom.
Tel: 2123 7652
10E Triq MA Vasalli

Midland Guesthouse
Decent rooms, with shared bathroom. Close to Grand Harbor.
Tel: 2123 6024
255 Triq Sant’Orsla

2- Where to eat

Agius Pastizzerija
A hole-in-the-wall place, Agius Pastizzerija offers traditional pastizzi and other snacks at rock-bottom prices.
273 Triq San Pawl
Open 7.30am-5.30pm Mon-St

Caffé Cordina
Established in 1837, Caffé Cordina gives you the choice of dining indoors or outside on the bustling square where you can watch people passing by. Serves coffee, snacks and decadent sweets.
Tel: 2123 4385
244 Triq ir-Repubblika
Open breakfast and lunch

Rubino
Hands down the best Valletta restaurant, Rubino is a great place for lunch or dinner. The menu changes daily and offers modern takes on traditional Maltese plates. Great mixed starter selection.
Tel: 2122 4656
53 Triq L-Ifran
Open noon-2.30pm Mon-Fri, 7.45-10.30pm Tue & Thu-Sat

3- Sights

If you European cruise ship stops in Malta, make sure to take advantage of what Valletta has to offer. This beautiful city has a lot to offer from museums and churches to beautiful palaces. Be sure to stop at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in the southwest for a great view of the Grand Harbor. Check out the Baroque interior of St. John’s Co-Cathedral, which was built in the 1570s and houses signed paintings by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

Another famous landmark is the 16th-century Grand Master’s Palace, the seat of the Maltese parliament. Check out the works of art in the State Apartments, which can be accessed from the entrance on Triq il-Merkanti.

A unique and valuable building worth viewing is the Manoel Theatre, one of the oldest theatres in Europe. Built in 1731, the Manoel Theatre offers a varied program of events October to May and guided tours in the Baroque auditorium.

Check out the female figurines known as “fat ladies” and other intriguing prehistoric objects at the National Museum of Archaeology.

At the furthest point of Valletta, you will find the Fort St. Elmo, built in 1552 by the Knights of St. John, but it is usually closed to the public. Next to the fort, at the National War Museum, you will learn about Malta’s heroic involvement in WWII, with photographs depicting the terrible conditions endured by the civilians, and several exhibits such as an Italian submarine and an anti-aircraft gun.

Make sure to highlight these restaurants/museums/churches as they are some of the favorite places of European Cruise tourists.

For more information, visit Best European Cruises.

Photo credit : http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxypar4/3178686875/