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Photo: John Haslam, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Built at the tip of the peninsula by the knights after the Dragut Raid of 1551. During the Great Siege of 1565 the Turks made the mistake of choosing to first take this fort, for which they had planned a week. Instead, the knights and soldiers present fought desperately for a month, buying essential time. The knights in the fort knew they were fighting to the death, and so rather than being taken off the ramparts when wounded, knights would fight on seated in chairs until they couldn't even lift their arms anymore. Today, the fort houses the National War Museum and the Police Academy. The National War Museum is mainly focussed on World Wars 1 and 2, but covers the period from the Bronze Age onwards.
Fort Saint Elmo is a star fort in Valletta, Malta. It stands on the seaward shore of the Sciberras Peninsula that divides Marsamxett Harbour from Grand Harbour, and commands the entrances to both harbours along with Fort Tigné and Fort Ricasoli. It is best known for its role in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Despite not being cheap, visitors who have any interest in culture or history and who haven't exhaustively read up on the country before coming here would do well by starting their visit to Malta by going here, as it is an excellent introduction to the country. It gives an impression of major events that shaped the country, but as it's only 45 min long and meant for first-time visitors, don't expect a dry scholarly treatment of the subject.
Mediterranean Conference Centre
The great hospital built by the knights in the 16th century was a hospital with the highest level of healthcare available in Europe at the time for men, both rich and poor, with non-contagious diseases (contagious disease patients were placed elsewhere, such as Manoel Island). Originally, it had two long corridors with private curtain-covered beds placed at an angle with ventilation holes leading to a courtyard garden filled with citrus trees and herbal plants. The top floors were mostly destroyed during World War II, including the upper ward. Since then, the courtyard garden was replaced with a 1400-seat theatre. In 1991, this theatre was used for reporters to receive and ask questions during the peace treaty signing between Gorbachev and George Bush Sr. Since its rebuilding, it now functions as a conference centre for large events, including G7 summits and extravagant weddings. It is rarely open to the public, though guided tour tickets can be purchased alongside The Malta Experience.
A Maltese noble family house on Triq ir-Republika, a few hundred metres past the Grand Master's Palace on the right-hand side. Very enjoyable.
Museum run by Maltapost, including a working post office.
Now it is the President's office and the Maltese parliament. The staterooms, when accessible, are quite impressive. It also houses the Knights' armoury, which is open to visitors daily from 09:00-17:00. (However, all other parts of the palace are closed to visitors, so what you can see is limited.) At the entrance, you can receive an audio guide, which is included in the entrance fee. It provides you with further historical information about the various armoury of different eras, beginning from the medieval chain mail up to the 17th-century armour.
Misraħ San Ġorġ
At night in St George's Square, there is a lovely water fountain, with coloured spouts of water which pop up and down - a fantastic play opportunity for children. They will get wet, so don't let them go near if they are wearing their best clothing. Great fun for kids.