How can anyone get lost in one, if not the, smallest city in Europe? Well we managed it today in the historic walled city of Valletta. This to us was no bad thing as with each turn of a corner we found another historical landmark or gem. It really is a labyrinth of history with some beautifully kept buildings centuries old.
We entered the city gate and was greeted by the hustle and bustle of the city on the main street of Triq ir-Repubblika. This street plays host to an array of shops and restaurants and runs right from the city gates down to Fort St Elmo. From Fort St Elmo we walked along the outer fortifications of the city. It was a great walk and took several hours but it was well worth it for the views out over the water and at one stage over the Three Cities. We also found many sheltered squares, little cafes and many old houses, some crumbling to the ground, along the way.
We also loved the what we came to name the ‘Hello sirs’. You cannot walk very far in Valletta without a little Maltese man coming up to you or shouting from across the road “Hello Sir” then going into his sales talk of why we really should take a horse and cart ride with him. It was a refreshing change from the timeshare touts in the tourist resorts.
It will take several more visits to fully see all that Valletta has to offer and we are looking forward to our next visit when we shall take a map!