As is normal for us we went into Valletta without much of a plan except to follow the crowd and then take our own twists and turns to see what we can see.
At the entrance is a very obvious example of Roman style architecture, built in 1866 it was destroyed by fire but then rebuilt later on.

Royal Opera House Site Pjazza Teatru Rjal
Royal Opera House Site Pjazza Teatru Rjal

The Library of Malta, just before St. George’s Square, had some awesome art out in front. It’s not every day you see a bust of someone sticking their own finger in one ear and out the other:

A sweet statue at the National Library of Malta
A sweet statue at the National Library of Malta

We follow a bunch of people headed toward the bay, and see more of the classic Maltese windows/apartments, churches, and businesses all in the classic sandstone.

Walking from St. George's Square toward the bay
Walking from St. George’s Square toward the bay

Another old storefont, It’s 101 years old, you’d think it’s been around forever:

A great old storefront, Raffaele Portelli
A great old storefront, Raffaele Portelli
An amazing church just past St. George's Square
An amazing church just past St. George’s Square
I love these narrow streets in Valletta, Malta
I love these narrow streets in Valletta, Malta

We come out of the narrow street onto the edge of Fort St. Iermu, the rusted anchors and steep walls reminding us Malta has always been a stronghold against Mediterranean invaders.

Near Fort St Iermu, Valletta
Near Fort St Iermu, Valletta

We stopped at a cafe nearby and had to go to the toilet, we walked down the stairs, it got dark, and then we were treated to this sweet underground passageway taking us under and across the street to a museum and gift shop.

This was the tunnel to get to the toilet at the cafe on the bay at Fort St Iermu
This was the tunnel to get to the toilet at the cafe on the bay at Fort St Iermu

St. Elmo Bay looked like an entry point for ferries, but I imagine it’s been here for centuries, making it more difficult for enemy ships to get close to the city’s fortifications:

Looking at St. Elmo Bay from Fort St Iermu
Looking at St. Elmo Bay from Fort St Iermu

This bell rings at noon every day and commemorates the soldiers lost by Malta in World War II:

The bell tower at Fort St Iermu
The bell tower at Fort St Iermu
Looking along the wall at The bell tower at Fort St Iermu
Looking along the wall at The bell tower at Fort St Iermu
This cafe looked perfect at Looking along the wall at The bell tower at Fort St Iermu
This cafe looked perfect at Looking along the wall at The bell tower at Fort St Iermu

We walked further south to Lower Barrakka Gardens, a lush, raised garden on top of the wall:

The template at Lower Barrakka Gardens
The template at Lower Barrakka Gardens

We have an excellent view here at the gardens and realise how high up we are!

The view from the wall at The template at Lower Barrakka Gardens
The view from the wall at The template at Lower Barrakka Gardens
A panoramic view from the wall at The view from the wall at The template at Lower Barrakka Gardens
A panoramic view from the wall at The view from the wall at The template at Lower Barrakka Gardens

True to form there’s a dunny here, and we’ve recorded it for posterity. 🙂 Made of wood, they are second only to the dunny at Athen’s Botanic Gardens:

The best toilet ever at A panoramic view from the wall at The view from the wall at The template at Lower Barrakka Gardens
The best toilet ever at A panoramic view from the wall at The view from the wall at The template at Lower Barrakka Gardens
Walking back from The best toilet ever at A panoramic view from the wall at The view from the wall at The template at Lower Barrakka Gardens and this alley leading back to St. George's Square was pretty dramatic
Walking back from The best toilet ever at A panoramic view from the wall at The view from the wall at The template at Lower Barrakka Gardens and this alley leading back to St. George’s Square was pretty dramatic
Near St. George's, a typical ornate church corner statue
Near St. George’s, a typical ornate church corner statue

Another awesome storefront sign in Valletta:

Faldus Shop, Valletta
Faldus Shop, Valletta

The day is coming to a close and we decide to head back to the main bus stop in Valletta to head back to Sliema. This bus stop is very busy so be patient, you will be crammed into a bus like a sardine, so make sure to pack light and understand everyone’s in the same boat. 🙂
Not a bad sunset!

Walking back to the bus stop from our day in Valletta
Walking back to the bus stop from our day in Valletta
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Nathaniel Flick