Valletta.

I don’t like cities. Generally they are too busy, noisy and dirty. But I do like Valletta. It has got to be my favourite city.

It’s small. I like the grid layout of streets. The traffic is minimal. The main thoroughfare, Republic Street, is a traffic free zone, and is a joy to walk, although Anne does stop occasionally to look in one of the many jewellers shops.

The city has water on three sides. It’s built on a mountain, Mount Sceberras – but it’s not very high. In fact Republic Street must be somewhere near the top of it.

Added to the above are wonderful gardens and views that are excellent. It’s a must to visit.

Anne, resting in the Upper Barrakka Gardens, with the Grand Harbour and the Three Cites in the background.

This is area of Valletta, which is the terminal for the Sliema - Valletta Ferry. You can also see tops of two of the 365 churches that have been built on Malta.

The south side of Valletta viewed from near the Upper Barrakka Gardens. This shows why Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

 

A view of one of the the Grand Harbour and one of the Three Cities from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

 

It would seem wrong to have pictures of Valletta without a "snap" of the fountain in the middle of the bus terminal.