Districts · Valletta
Valletta by district
Valletta itself is 1 km long and 600 m wide: Republic Street runs straight down the middle from City Gate to Fort St Elmo. Everything a first visit needs is within a 20-minute walk. Outside the walls, Floriana is the suburb across the ditch, Sliema and St Julian’s face the city across Marsamxett Harbour by ferry, and the Three Cities sit across the Grand Harbour.Valletta itself is 0.6 mi long and 600 m wide: Republic Street runs straight down the middle from City Gate to Fort St Elmo. Everything a first visit needs is within a 20-minute walk. Outside the walls, Floriana is the suburb across the ditch, Sliema and St Julian’s face the city across Marsamxett Harbour by ferry, and the Three Cities sit across the Grand Harbour.
About these names
- Republic Street and the centreTriq ir-RepubblikasleepseeSuits: First visit, short stays, evenings on footThe core: St John’s, the Palace, Casa Rocca Piccola and the Upper Barrakka within 10 minutes.6 sights · 6 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- City Gate and the Triton FountainIl-Port tal-BeltseeSuits: Arrivals, bus connections, pastizziThe bus terminus, the Parliament and the fountain; sleep elsewhere.4 sights · 5 eatsDistrict guide →
- Fort St Elmo and the north-east tipForti Sant’IermuseeSuits: War history, sea viewsA long shadeless walk; the National War Museum is here.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- FlorianaFurjanasleepseeSuits: Quiet bases, car access, gardensA suburb just outside the gate; bigger hotels and easier drop-offs.1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Sliema and St Julian’sTas-Sliema, San ĠiljansleepSuits: Seafront hotels, shopping, nightlifeAcross Marsamxett Harbour; a ferry or 25-minute bus from Valletta.District guide →
- The Three CitiesIl-Ħamsin (Birgu, Bormla, L-Isla)seeSuits: Old harbour towns, quiet streetsA ferry ride across the Grand Harbour; a good half day.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Mdina and RabatL-Imdina, Ir-RabatseeSuits: Old walled town, catacombsThe old capital inland; bus 30–45 minutes.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Malta International Airport, Luqa (MLA) (15–30 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Sliema and St Julian’s, The Three Cities, Mdina and Rabat. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Republic Street and the centre (Triq ir-Repubblika): The core: St John’s, the Palace, Casa Rocca Piccola and the Upper Barrakka within 10 minutes. Suits: First visit, short stays, evenings on foot. Price band $$.
- City Gate and the Triton Fountain (Il-Port tal-Belt): The bus terminus, the Parliament and the fountain; sleep elsewhere. Suits: Arrivals, bus connections, pastizzi.
- Fort St Elmo and the north-east tip (Forti Sant’Iermu): A long shadeless walk; the National War Museum is here. Suits: War history, sea views.
- Floriana (Furjana): A suburb just outside the gate; bigger hotels and easier drop-offs. Suits: Quiet bases, car access, gardens. Price band $$.
- Sliema and St Julian’s (Tas-Sliema, San Ġiljan): Across Marsamxett Harbour; a ferry or 25-minute bus from Valletta. Suits: Seafront hotels, shopping, nightlife.
- The Three Cities (Il-Ħamsin (Birgu, Bormla, L-Isla)): A ferry ride across the Grand Harbour; a good half day. Suits: Old harbour towns, quiet streets.
- Mdina and Rabat (L-Imdina, Ir-Rabat): The old capital inland; bus 30–45 minutes. Suits: Old walled town, catacombs.
- Sleep area Floriana: suits Quiet bases, car access, gardens, price band $$.
- Sleep area Valletta: suits First visit, short stays, evenings on foot, price band $$.
- Malta International Airport, Luqa (MLA), 15–30 min by the usual route.