Amid the gloomy British weather and the chaos of Christmas, the thought of jetting off for some winter sunshine is an appealing thought. And there’s one European destination just four hours from the UK that provides a balmy 16C in January.
Valletta, on the island of Malta, nestled between Sicily and the North African coast, has been revealed as the warmest European capital to visit in January. The global booking platform, Omio, analysed temperature data across all of Europe’s capital cities to reveal those predicted to offer a blistering winter break, with Valletta ranked top.
Reaching 16C in January, Valletta offers an idyllic break to kickstart the year for those in need of a vitamin D boost, with clear blue skies and picturesque Mediterranean sea views. The walled city of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts just over 5,000 residents, offering a unique charm that is hard to find elsewhere.
Although small, it attracts a multitude of holidaymakers every year with its honey-hued Baroque architecture along its charming streets. Visitors can explore the tranquil Upper Barrakka Gardens before admiring the awe-inspiring sea views from its military structures.
The Valletta Waterfront, Grand Master’s Palace, and Barrakka Lift are popular attractions, each with its own allure, and a must-visit among tourists. While Republic Street is a bustling area for shopping, dining, and culture, Strait Street is famed for its narrow alleys and vibrant nightlife.
There’s plenty to see and do in Valletta, with St. John’s Pro-Cathedral, a magnificent structure dating back to the 1500s, being another standout tourist attraction. The city’s military and maritime past plays a significant role in the identity of Valletta and Malta as a whole, with fascinating history around every corner.
Visitors can delve further into the history at the Lascaris War Rooms, Saluting Battery, and the National War Museum. Beyond the confines of Valletta, the broader region of Malta, spanning a mere 122 square miles, offers even more treasures to uncover.
As the capital itself doesn’t have any beaches, there is a catalogue of some of Malta’s most popular nearby. Some of these include the famed Blue Lagoon, Mellieha Beach, St Peter’s Pool, Romla Bay, Golden Bay, Golden Sands Beach and Armier Bay Beach.
Holidaymakers have praised the capital of Malta, with one sharing on TripAdvisor: “Beautiful city. Wonderful monuments, beautiful weather. Good footwear for walking around aimlessly. Superb war museum worth visiting, very well done.”
A second commented: “Visiting it is even more beautiful than it appears from photos, videos and reviews. An incredible concentration of historical, artistic and cultural sites and riches makes it resemble a small Italy. Beautiful and very much alive, Valletta! Definitely worth a visit!
A third noted: “Valletta, the smallest capital, but rich in history with its knights and its UNESCO heritage monuments. You enter from the square where the fountain of the newts stands out. Continue along the ancient walls on the right the parliament building designed by Renzo Piano and on the left a long staircase on top of which you can enjoy a spectacular view.
“City full of partly Arab styles, with narrow streets that go down and up! Characteristics are the closed balconies and their colored doors, the terraces of the bars with small tables on the steps or on the small steps… a real treat! English phone booths and corners all to photograph! The Cathedral with the largest dome in Europe, but the real surprise is the co-cathedral. To visit in a day, at least.”
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