When we visited Valletta in February, I was struck by just how photogenic this tiny Maltese city is. UNESCO has listed it as a World Heritage Site due to its 320 monuments, describing it as one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world.  Valletta has so many historic buildings in a relatively cohesive style, it’s a photographer’s dream. 

This post covers the photography spots I found particularly charming in the city which are free of charge (sort of – you’ll need to buy a drink at one or two). You can read more about my favourite paid museums and visitor attractions in Valletta in this post. Some of the places on that list are also worth a visit if you’re after some stunning photographs to remember your trip. 

As the city is less than a kilometre square, it doesn’t really matter what order you visit these locations. I’ve listed them in a somewhat logical route, but you’re also bound to find other lovely spots to visit along the way. Go rogue – I believe in you! Valletta has a grid layout, so is generally easy to navigate, but it’s very hilly. I found the area around Upper Barrakka and the Bridge Bar more confusing due to the steep hills and less logical layout. 

The Main Attractions

Triton Fountain

I’m cheating a bit with this one, as it’s located in Floriana, not Valletta, but it’s located between the bus station and the city gate, so this is likely to be the first spot on your photography tour if you’re arriving in town. This is a Modernist design from the 1950s and is a popular spot to take photos at all times of day and night. 

You’re going to have to take my word for what a beautiful fountain this is because this is the only photo I have – snapped on my phone the evening we arrived. 

San Ġorġ Preca (Parliament Steps)

Once you’ve crossed the bridge into the city, turn to your right to see the steps outside the parliament. The Parliament House was opened in 2015 and is an unusually modern building in this old city, though the sandstone does help it blend in a little. I particularly liked this spot for a bit of people-watching. 

Embassy Hotel Rooftop Bar

OK, you’re going to need to buy a drink to enjoy this view, but I promise it’s worth it. The bar is open to the public, but you need to access it through the hotel reception – let the staff know what you’re looking for, and they will direct you to the lift. 

Once settled in the rooftop bar, you can enjoy views of the dome of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, with Marsamxett Harbour and the modern buildings of Sliema in the background. 

St Lucia’s Street

This might be the most Instagrammed street in Valletta, with its combination of old architecture and whimsical décor. 

Once you’ve finished snapping, why not try a pizza from San Paolo Naufrago or a cocktail from 33 Steps? Given the location, you’d be forgiven for expecting them to be tourist traps, but I was pleasantly surprised. 

Lower Barrakka Gardens

With a neoclassical temple and a statue, plus views overlooking the Grand Harbour, this was one of my favourite spots in Valletta to sit and relax. While Upper Barrakka Gardens is generally busier and more popular (I’ll get to that in a minute), I found the Lower Barrakka Gardens charmingly tranquil. 

The Bridge Bar

We missed out on an evening visit to the Bridge Bar to hear live jazz, but even during the day, this is a charming spot to pause and enjoy the view. At night, tables spill from the bar onto the bridge. 

Upper Barrakka Gardens

Upper Barrakka Gardens is a popular spot for tourists for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s situated directly above the Saluting Battery, so it’s the ideal location to watch the daily firing of the time-gun. Secondly, it’s a great spot to try and dodge the tourists to get your photo taken in one of the archways. Finally, it’s home to the Barrakka Lift – an outdoor lift costing 1 EUR for a return journey down to harbour level. 

Valletta Waterfront

We were underwhelmed by the Waterfront area when we visited in February. There were very few people around, and the restaurants didn’t have the same local vibe as in the city – the busiest were the Hard Rock Café and Starbucks. I think it would be livelier in the summer, but I get the impression it caters mostly to cruise passengers. 

However, the architecture in the Waterfront area and some of the photo opportunities along the way still made it worth the visit for us. It’s only a ten-minute walk from the Barrakka Lift, so if you have the time to spare, why not take a stroll. 

Just Wandering…

Lovely Views Everywhere

Away from the highlights I’ve listed above, there were so many other sights which caught my eye. Lovely balconies, interesting traditional shops, statues of local saints, mysterious side streets… 

Final Thoughts…

In case it still isn’t obvious, I was completely blown away by Valletta. I’d love to explore more of Malta in the future, but I’d try and return to Valletta for at least one day of my trip because I loved the laid-back but historic atmosphere. 

Have I convinced you to visit Valletta yet?