Valletta & Mdina, Malta: Just Got Back

[CaribbeanBound]

Valletta, Malta

 

 

Hint: Get up early and don't miss any of the sail-in to Valletta, it's one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. And if you get off the ship early, you'll have the to yourself until about 8:45 am.

 

Malta has way too much to offer for a single day in port. We decided to keep it fairly simple and inexpensive on our first visit: attending mass at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, visiting Mdina, enjoying lunch, then returning to Valletta for further exploration.

 

St. John’s Cathedral aka "Co-Cathedral" is a must-see. However, due to services, it's closed to tours on Sunday and pictures are prohibited. You can still visit the church if you'd like to go to mass (no charge) at 9:15 am. On any other day, you can get a ticket for €10 per person, and visit Caravaggio's painting of the beheading of John the Baptist. Either way, the interior of this church, built in the 1570s by the Order of the Knights of St. John, is spectacular with it's painted ceiling frescos, marble and gold columns and arches, and ornate inlaid marble tombstones that cover the entire floor! They commemorate some of the most illustrious knights of the Order and date from the early seventeenth century into the late eighteenth century.

 

 

You have to work your way up since the old city is on the cliff top. As long as you use the elevator it shouldn't take you longer than 20 minutes to walk to the Co-cathedral from the ship. Turn right upon exiting the cruise terminal and walk towards the Barakka Lift (€1,00 up / free down). The Lift will let you out at the Upper Barakka Gardens which offers nice views overlooking the harbor. Start walking down Castille Street and turn right on either Republic Street (three blocks). Walk down 2.5 blocks to Triq San Gwann. You can't miss the Co-Cathedral.

 

Following mass at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, we walked back down Republic Street and out the City Gate to pickup a taxi near Triton Fountain. I prearranged roundtrip transportation online with eCabs to Mdina and back (just €5 per person each way for a party of 8). A comfortable van was waiting on us when we arrived.

 

 

The driver dropped us off at the Mdina Gate. Mdina is a small, walled town with narrow streets. “The elegance of the architecture, the pop of colors, the panoramic views and the sheer beauty of the town are all incredible. You can really feel as if you are in another time when here.” This is one of the “Game of Thrones” filming locations. After exploring the walled city, we went back out the front gate to get lunch at BOTTEGIN PALAZZO XARA, a reasonably priced restaurant which had received rave reviews online.

 

 

It's only a 6-minute walk to the restaurant at Palazzo Xara, Triq San Pawl, Rabat RBT1243, but we had some trouble finding it despite the building's distinctive dark royal blue doors and shutters. We chose to eat outside in their courtyard. Two of our fellow travelers enjoyed pasta dishes while my wife and I loved our locally raised roasted rabbit with pumpkin-infused mashed potatoes and a glass of Serina Merlot. Highly recommend.

 

We met our driver back at our prearranged pickup spot at 1:45 pm and were dropped back off at the Triton Fountain. This gave us about 2.5 hours to walk the streets and explore Valletta before returning to the ship.

 

Complete, very detailed review of entire cruise and precruise preparation:

http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/eastern-mediterranean.html

[puppycanducruise]

Great pictures and info.

Thanks for posting.

[WallyNDiane]

Thank you. Do you know if photos are allowed at St John's Co Cathedral during non mass times? I really want to photograph this church. Great posts on your cruise.

[senorbanda]

Thank you. Do you know if photos are allowed at St John's Co Cathedral during non mass times? I really want to photograph this church. Great posts on your cruise.

 

We were at St. John's Co Cathedral in 2014 on a Sunday for mass. Before and after mass you were allowed to take photos until they closed the church doors.

[CaribbeanBound]

According to my reading of their current signage, they do not wish to have any camera use on Sundays. (That didn't stop some folks however). Yes, it's a gorgeous church and I really wanted to take pics but did not since I maintained proper decorum and followed their wishes.

[cruisemom42]

On days other than Sundays photos are allowed in the church, although I am not sure whether they were allowed in the separate area where the Caravaggio painting and a few others are kept.

[nybumpkin]

On days other than Sundays photos are allowed in the church, although I am not sure whether they were allowed in the separate area where the Caravaggio painting and a few others are kept.

We couldn't take photos in the Caravaggio exhibit area (Saturday visit). No problem with photos elsewhere.