Valletta City Break

Just of the coast of Italy lies one of the most facinating islands in Europe. Malta is a hidden gem that many of you may not have considered for a European city break and the city of Valletta is the perfect place to stay.

Bustling with energy this is a truly beautiful city set ontop of hilly peninsular between two of the finest harbours of Europe. This city is steeped in history dating back to its founding in 1566, by the Knights of St John. Since its creation the city has been ruled by Greeks, Romans, Buyantines, Arabs, Phoenicians and Carthaginians so there is a real blend of architecture, culture and life. Inside this city are 320 monuments which include the Cathedral of St John, Palace of the Grand Master, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Lascaris War Rooms from WW2 and Fort St Elmo.

There are two main pedestrianised streets which go through the centre of the city, surrounding the cathedral and in these streets are a plethora of bars, restaurants and cafes. If you want a light bite to eat then there are plenty of coffee shops and sandwich bars. If you want to enjoy a few drinks in the sun then many of the bars offer happy hour betweem 2pm-7pm. By the time the evening comes around the streets are filled with life and live music. The restaurants have spilled out onto the streets and the smell of food is wafting through the streets. Heavily Italian influenced due to its proximity there are plenty of pizzas, pastas, fish, and meat options, the local cuisine being rabbit.

Rosselli AX Privilege, The First 5* Hotel in Valletta

When thinking about where to stay in Valletta, we would always recommend the AX Rosselli, whcih is a stunning small boutique right in the heart of the city. Only 20 minutes away from the airport it is easily accessible and in a great location.

Set in a exquisitely restored heritage building, The Rosselli offers 25 unique designer rooms and suites all offering luxury comforts in a contemporary style.

The service here is second to none. The staff are so attentive and helpful and a glass of prosecco on arrival was a lovely welome touch.

Dining

The dining at Rosselli is one that will live long in the memory. At street level, Grain Street offers an authentic dining experience with plates that are designed to be shared. In 2023 this restaurant was awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand accolade. The breakfasts equally as memorable with our particular favourite being the three tiered platter. On the bottom is cold meats and cheese, in teh middle is pastries/bread and on the top are the most delicous fresh fruit. It is a breakfast made in heaven.

Underneath is the Rosselli’s hidden gem, Under Grain. This is a fine dining restaurant that was the first of only 5 restaurants on the island to win a MICHELIN Star.

Roof Top Bar & Pool

On top of the hotel is Over Grain, a stunning roof top bar and pool which provides breathtaking views over Valletta. You can see across the marianas to the other cities that surround Valletta from both sides. This is a great place to come and watch the sunset whilst enjoying a refreshing cocktail. In the summer when temperatures reach 40 degrees the rooftop pool is a great place to come and cool off.

Best Time to Visit

Malta, which is just below sicily can be considered a year round destination. In December the average temperature is around 14, so a city break is still possible. For those who like temperatures around the 20 degress mark, then I would suggest April, May or September, October. The temperature is still warm enought to sit out in the evenings and plenty of the restaurats bring out gas fires to warm the streets. For sun lovers Malta can get in excess of 40 degrees in the summer so make sure to pack enough suncream!

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