Valletta: The best city in the world impresses with Mediterranean flair!

Valletta: The best city in the world impresses with Mediterranean flair!

Shocking news from the world of travel destinations: Valletta, the charming capital of Malta, was recently named “Best City in the World” at the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards Condé Nast Traveler chosen. With an impressive 97.33 out of 100 possible points, the city prevailed against world-famous metropolises such as Paris, Lisbon and Athens. Over 182,500 travelers from around the world have rated the charm and qualities of Valletta, earning it this high accolade.

This small capital, which only has around 5,800 inhabitants, proves that size isn't everything. Valletta has previously been named “Best City in Europe” and is known for its colorful mix of history, culture and Mediterranean lifestyle. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and impresses with its baroque architecture, narrow streets and colorful wooden balconies.

Cultural treasures and impressive architecture

The sights in Valletta are diverse and invite you to discover the history and culture of Malta. Highlights include the Grand Master's Palace, the impressive St. John's Co-Cathedral and the Saluting Battery in the Upper Barrakka Garden, where a daily cannon salute takes place. The last inhabited noble house in the city, the Casa Rocca Piccola, and the Lascaris War Rooms, the underground command bunkers from the Second World War, are also worth a visit.

• Großmeisterpalast: Sitz des Präsidenten mit State Rooms und Waffenkammer.
• St. John’s Co-Cathedral: Kircheninnere aus dem späten 16. Jahrhundert.
• Saluting Battery im Upper Barrakka Garden: täglicher Kanonensalut.
• Casa Rocca Piccola: Letztes bewohntes Adelshaus.
• Lascaris War Rooms: unterirdische Kommandobunker, heute Museum.
• Valletta Waterfront: Promenade mit Restaurants, Bars und Geschäften.

Malta is also lucky enough to have an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, which makes the mix of beach and city holidays perfect. If you want to travel from Germany, Austria or Switzerland, you have the best connections to Valletta thanks to several airline offers. The flight time is only between two and a half and three hours, which also makes the city attractive for short trips.

A future project for Valletta

The Best City in the World award is timely as Valletta will also host the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in 2026. From 30 September to 2 October 2026, themes of sustainability, innovation and investment in tourism will take center stage in one of the most significant tourism events ever to take place in the Maltese Islands.
Tourism Minister Ian Borg and Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, emphasized the importance of Malta's cultural heritage and the outstanding hospitality of its residents.

Described as “small but mighty”, Valletta remains a tangible example of how much character and joy of life can be packed into a small town. It's hardly surprising that travelers have fallen in love with this pretty city in the heart of the Mediterranean. Guide Me Malta underlines the little jewel in the Mediterranean, which now looks to the future with even more pride.

Let's enjoy the splendor and tradition of Valletta, the city that inspires us all and invites us to explore its stories and landscapes. Who knows, maybe your next trip to Malta will be the best decision you've ever made!