View of Valletta, the capital of Malta
From baroque palaces to modernist interventions, Valletta is a playground for lovers of architecture, interiors and craftsmanship
With its narrow streets winding through sun-washed walls and the Mediterranean never far from view, Malta’s capital, Valletta, is rich in historic charm. And while it may be one of Europe’s smallest capitals, its design credentials are oversized, with limestone splendour and baroque flourishes tucked neatly alongside contemporary architecture and boutique interiors.
Whether you’re admiring the ornate wooden balconies (gallariji) that punctuate street façades or unwinding with a glass of local wine in a vaulted café, design in Valletta delivers both context and experience. It’s no wonder the city was named the Number One City in the World and Europe’s Best City in Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2025.
Here, a shortlist of places to stay and play that offer a design-led perspective of this compact capital.
Where to stay
The Phoenicia Malta
The country’s first five-star hotel, The Phoenicia Malta, a previous Gold List Awards finalist, stands as an enduring symbol of Maltese hospitality. A recent renovation has honoured the building’s art-deco bones while introducing bespoke furniture, refined materials and sunlit rooms overlooking the gardens or Grand Harbour. Its gardens, dotted across more than three hectares and hidden behind bastion walls, feel like a private sanctuary, while the pulse of Valletta lies just steps away.
Rosselli – AX Privilege
Once the home of wealthy goldsmith, philanthropist and Knight of Malta, Don Pietro Rosselli, this restored 17th-century landmark is a compelling address for the design-discerning traveller. Each of Rosselli’s rooms and suites speaks a different language of design, from Carrara marble accents, custom floral wallpaper and warm walnut to bespoke lighting and artisan touches. Don’t miss the rooftop terrace and pool, the perfect spot for sundowners thanks to panoramic city views.
Casa Rocca Piccola
Part private residence, part boutique accommodation, Casa Rocca Piccola offers a rare hotel stay in one of Valletta’s most storied palazzi, where period rooms, original architectural details and museum-worthy interiors create an atmospheric base.
Palazzo Consiglia
This 13-room boutique hotel, fashioned from an old Valletta townhouse, is proof that smart design can expand historic spaces. Traditional elements, such as vaulted ceilings, chapel nooks, and a converted cistern (now holding a plunge pool), are juxtaposed with modern touches, providing an intimate and design-forward stay.
66 St Paul’s
In the historic heart of Valletta, boutique palazzo 66 St Paul’s is a considered mix of old and new. Original limestone walls contrast smartly with the hotel’s grand steel staircase while contemporary rooms are individually designed with a restrained sensibility. Larger rooms feature traditional Maltese balconies or private sun terraces.
Where to play
Caffé Cordina
Maltese tradition meets refined café culture at this Valletta institution, exuding old-world charm with ornate interiors, marble counters and impeccable pastries. Ceiling frescoes and antique Murano-glass chandeliers add to the glamour.
Noni
Located on Republic Street, Michelin-starred Noni blends contemporary design with Maltese gastronomy in a beautifully restored 18th-century townhouse. Vaulted limestone ceilings and timber finishes, custom furniture and artisanal tableware create an intimate dining experience for design-conscious foodies.
Strait Street
Once the notorious red-light district, known then as the ‘Gut’, Strait Street has been revitalised with vibrant bars, stylish dining options and live music venues. Beautiful stone façades are punctuated with neon lights and revelry, turning the narrow strip into a lively corridor.
Kamy Cocktail Bar
It may be a bar, but Kamy on Old Bakery Street is serving up works of art. Owner and mixologist Iliyan Iliev creates visually stunning (and delicious) art cocktails, using edible prints and clever garnishes. Designs are inspired by famous paintings such as Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, The Scream by Edvard Munch and The Kiss by Gustav Klimt.
Where to explore
Valletta Design Cluster
Craft, innovation and community converge in this former abattoir turned multidisciplinary design hub, a highlight for creative travellers. With makerspaces, studios and a rooftop garden, the project is an innovative example of urban revitalisation.
vca.gov.mt/en/valletta-design-cluster
National Museum of Archaeology
Housed in the striking Auberge de Provence, a textbook example of Baroque design, the collection at the National Museum of Archaeology spans millennia of Maltese civilisation, including prehistoric artefacts, delicate jewellery and ritual objects.
heritagemalta.mt/explore/national-museum-of-archaeology
MUŻA
Another quintessential Baroque landmark, the National Museum of Art (MUŻA) features works from the 15th to 21st centuries, based on the narratives of Mediterranean, Europe, Empire and The Artist. The museum lives in the 16th-century Auberge d’Italie, near stately St Catherine’s Church.
Contemporary Additions
Delivered by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the City Gate project, completed in 2015, injected a modern thread into the capital’s historic fabric. As well as a new city gate, the development comprised Pjazza Teatru Rjal (an open-air theatre built within the ruins of the former Royal opera house, destroyed during World War II) and Parliament House.
Fast facts
When to visit
Malta’s spring/early summer (April–June) and Autumn (September–October) for perfect light-on-limestone façades and milder temperatures.
Getting around
Valletta is tiny and eminently walkable. You can cover most of it in a day on foot. A hop-on bus network serves outlying sites, while taxis and water taxis link to Sliema and the Three Cities.
Key neighbourhoods
Republic Street and Merchants Street are Valletta’s design spines, lined with palaces, boutiques, galleries and cafés. Find quieter, more intimate spaces toward Bull Street and the Lower Barrakka Gardens, and don’t miss the harbour for more remarkable architecture and sunset views.
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