The capital city of Valletta is a beautifully planned city utilizing the natural landscape of the Sciberras Peninsula it was built upon. The streets are designed in a proper grid format, with outer streets running along the entire perimeter of the peninsula as well.
Built by the Knights of St. John beginning in 1566, Valletta is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a European Capital of Culture for 2018. Stretching to about only one square kilometer, Valletta is the smallest capital in the European Union. But there is much to see within this tiny city. Here are some tips for getting around the city of Valletta as a visitor or an expat.
Walking in Valletta
Valletta is best wandered on foot. With the grid-like pattern of streets, it's easy to navigate and, quite frankly, difficult to get lost in such a small city!
Keep in mind, however, that the peninsula is quite hilly, so there are lots of up- and downhills, plus several staircases along streets. If you're not comfortably able to make these terrain differences, keep that in mind for your visit.
Cycling in Valletta
Many roads here have a very steep slope, some requiring stairs rather than smooth pavement. You can still cycle around if you are careful enough, but it's not really recommended throughout the city. Also, bear in mind that Valletta does not have any cycle trails. The pedestrian congestion in busy tourist seasons makes it basically impassable as well.
If you wish to cycle in Valletta, bicycles are available for rent near the Triton Fountain at the city entrance. This public bike-sharing system is operated by Nextbike.
Traveling in Valletta by car
You are likely to find many sharp bends and one-way roads in Valletta. This can be quite tricky if you have chosen to drive before becoming familiar with the city layout.
It can also be very difficult to find parking spaces in Valletta, as the city is rather busy with foreign professionals and locals on weekdays, with limited street parking at any time of day. But if you still wish to drive, you can find underground parking lots around the capital city, and street parking is a possibility. Just be patient, and be willing to squeeze into tiny spaces.
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There are car parks at the city entrance, as well as a few parking options along the outer roads along the water. Near the Valletta entrance, there are, for example, the public car park (located beside the Floriana Football Grounds) and the MCP Parking Garage.
Public transport in Valletta
Valletta has a bus terminal just outside the main city gate, which is a hub for lines from throughout the country. If you're traveling along a north-south route, you will very likely need to change buses at Valletta before continuing your way.
Within the city itself, there are few options for buses as most of the city is not compatible with the size of buses. However, there are options along the outer roads along the water. Malta Public Transport operates two minibusses in Valletta: route 130, which goes to the Waterfront, and route 133, which goes all around the city.
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