Valletta: The Fortress City Guide

Valletta isn't your typical capital city. It's a fortress built by gentlemen for gentlemen (or so the Knights claimed). It's a UNESCO site packed into less than 1 square kilometre. You can walk across it in 15 minutes, but you'll need a lifetime to understand it.

The Vibe

In the morning, it's business. Lawyers rushing to court, politicians grabbing coffee. By noon, it's tourists. By evening? It's magic. The lights come on, the wine bars open, and the city feels like a movie set.

Must-Dos (Monika Approved)

• Upper Barrakka Gardens: Yes, it's touristy. But the view of the Grand Harbour is unbeatable. Go at 12:00 or 16:00 to see the cannons fire (and watch tourists jump).
• St. John's Co-Cathedral: Don't let the plain exterior fool you. Inside, it's blindingly gold. And it houses Caravaggio's masterpiece. It's the one church you absolutely cannot skip.
• Strait Street: Once the "Gut" of Valletta where sailors got drunk and worse. Now? It's the coolest place for a cocktail.

Don't just stick to Republic Street. The real Valletta is in the side streets. Walk down to St. Ursula Street for those Instagram-perfect steps and balconies.