Perched majestically on a small peninsula between two of the Mediterranean's most spectacular harbours, Valletta is a true gem of a city. Malta's compact capital is a concentration of history, culture, and unmistakable old-world charm, all embodied within its golden limestone walls and iconic hilltop setting.
Founded in 1566 by the Knights of St. John, the city is an impressive fortified citadel, its imposing bastion walls standing stalwart against enemy sieges of ages past. Yet within those sturdy ramparts lies an unexpectedly graceful and elegant urban space.
The city's grid of streets forms an orderly matrix, though getting delightfully lost is all too easy as you roam the shady, atmospheric alleyways. Around every corner lie photogenic scenes - sunbaked townhouses clustered tightly together, their wooden balconies festooned with classic Maltese lace and vibrant bougainvillea blooms cascading over the edges. Palazzo facades adorned with baroque architectural details whisper of Valletta's glorious golden age.
A short stroll along Republic Street, Valletta's main axis, passes by the magnificent Baroque masterpiece of St John's Co-Cathedral, considered one of the finest examples of High Baroque architecture in all of Europe. Just steps away stands the Grand Masters' Palace, formerly the residence of the Prince Grandmasters who ruled Malta and today’s the official office of the President of Malta.
Across the Grand Harbour is the historic Three Cities area, where ships and boats line the deep blue waters of the harbours in front of ancient fortifications and stylish old buildings.
Despite its modest proportions, Valletta possesses a vast wealth of experiences to captivate visitors. Whether admiring the astonishingly artworks and architecture, touring the imposing fortifications, or simply soaking in the timeless Mediterranean atmosphere over a glass of local Maltese wine, Valletta has a rare ability to enchant all who walk its streets.
From a photographer’s perspective, Valletta is one of the most photogenic cities I've ever encountered. The city is a true feast for the lens, with stunning visuals awaiting at every turn and both settings and light providing incredible photographic opportunities.The warm Mediterranean light especially casts an impossibly flattering glow across Valletta's honey-coloured limestone facades from sunrise to sunset. During the golden hours, the entire cityscape seems to radiate from within, bathed in rich tones and textures that make even the most mundane scene look like a film set (in fact, many films are shot here!).
Speaking of textures, Valletta is an absolute dream - weathered walls, doorways, balconies and watchtowers create an endless tapestry of visuals to capture. Valletta's fortifications and waterfront areas provide perfect subjects and context, the perspective over the iconic "fork" of the two harbours framed by the fortified Three Cities across the water are postcard-perfect. By using wide lenses and playing with the shifting angles of light, you can create epically cinematic images of Malta's noble ramparts and turrets silhouetted against the Mediterranean.
Between the history, architecture, culture, cuisine, and that incredible light and waterscape scenery, there's simply no running out of photo ops here. With its larger-than-life scenery concentrated into a compact area, Valletta continually wows and surprises.
It's simply one of those magic places that seems to have been purposely created with image-makers in mind.