10 best things to do in the capital of Malta

Sun seekers, history buffs, and those inclined to explore the streets on foot will be most satisfied during their vacation in one of Europe's smallest capitals, Valletta.

Valletta, once an enclave for the Knights of St. John, combines baroque with modern elegance, writes the Independent .

From a tour of the golden corridors of St. John's Cathedral to a cruise on the Grand Harbor and a taste of Maltese cuisine, there is plenty to do in Valletta.

Excursion to St. John's Cathedral

Going to church is not a common thing at St. John's Cathedral, with its gilded Baroque interiors, excess marble and Caravaggio paintings, which is the setting for a full Latin Mass on Sundays at 9:15 am. Built by the Order of St. John, the architectural masterpiece is a magnificent display of the knights' wealth with nine ornate chapels, a series of tombs and a crypt.

Go up and down on the Upper Barracca lifts

A day in the Upper Barracca Gardens guarantees views of the blue Grand Harbor and Fort St. Angelo. A 58-meter-high panoramic glass elevator connects the gardens to the Valletta promenade for a sea-level ferry ride - a round trip costs just €1.

Explore Fort St. Elmo and the National Military Museum

The oldest fort in Malta, the star-shaped stone fortress that is Fort St. Elmo at the tip of the peninsula guards the entrance to Valletta's Grand Harbor. Fort St. Elmo is home to a chapel, a resting place for knights who died in battle, and the National War Museum with displays of military armor, the Cross of St. George and the World War II memorial.

Grand Harbor Cruise

Traditional Maltese harbor boats, colorful wooden dhajsa, ferry vacationers out on the water to enjoy a sea view of Malta's majestic fortifications as sailors would have seen them, but with all the romance of a Venetian gondola.

Watch the cannon fire at the fireworks battery

Catch the crackle and smoke of cannon fire every day at noon from the 16th-century salute battery, which overlooks Fort Sant'Angelo and Valletta's Grand Harbor. The ode to the past salutes of visiting warships continues the tradition of ceremonial artillery firing and cannon salutes by dignitaries present in the city since its foundation in 1566. Adult tickets for the smoke show at noon cost only 3 euros.

Taste traditional street food on a walking tour

Culinary delights pepper the streets of Europe's former cultural capital, but back street snacks offer the best taste of Malta's fusion of unpretentious cuisines. Traditional rabbit stew stuffing in tal-fenec (the national dish) and pea-filled pastries like pastizzi meet seasonal fresh swordfish lasagna and tempani in Valletta's side streets, and cultural walking tours offer the chance to sample local antipasti and lagers as you stroll.

Take a look at the newt fountain

At the entrance to Valletta's city gates, the famous three bronze newts of the Triton Fountain balance a pool in a structural spectacle of water jets and mist. The Maltese sculptor Vincent Apap built the attraction, first opened in 1959.

Take a walk along the Republic Street

Valletta's 1-kilometer-long thoroughfare, Republic Street, is where you'll find most of the walled city's main attractions. From the city gate to Fort St. Elmo at the edge of the peninsula, artisanal silver filigree and lace sellers, beautiful old dining spots like Caffe Cordina and the National Museum of Archaeology line the main pedestrian thoroughfare.

Savor the food at San Paolo Naufrago

Pizzeria San Paolo Naufrago on St. Lucia Street has been opening every Sunday at 10 am since 1938 to delight islanders' appetites with fresh Parma pizza, meat platters and glasses of wine inside a cozy wine bar.

Watch the sunset at The Rooftop, The Embassy restaurant

With panoramic views of the Grand Harbor, the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the distant Mediterranean, as well as orange sunset scenery and a menu of seasonal culinary delights, The Rooftop is a great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.