| The capital and administrative centre of the country; | | | | of which have become national institutions. There is |
| named after its builder, Jean Parisot de la Valette, the | | | | also a brace of fine restaurants, yet most tend to be |
| French Grand Master, who led the defence of the | | | | informal and meals can turn out to be long drawn out |
| islands during the 1565 siege laid by the Ottoman | | | | but thoroughly enjoyable affairs. |
| Emperor. Dubbed a "city built by gentlemen for | | | | Situated on a peninsula, Valletta is linked by buses to |
| gentlemen" by Sir Walter Scott, Valletta is a bustling | | | | the rest of the island and by a regular ferry service |
| mini metropolis. Within its small perimeter - 55 | | | | to Sliema - across Marsamxett Harbour. Needless to |
| hectares - are 320 monuments making it one of the | | | | add that it is on virtually every sightseeing itinerary. |
| most concentrated historic areas in the world. | | | | Valletta is also linked to the rest of the Island by |
| Valletta's main entrance is through City Gate, where | | | | what is known in Malta as the Park and Ride service. |
| all bus routes end. City Gate leads to the main | | | | Motorists may leave their car parked in a special area, |
| thoroughfare - Republic Street, a shopper's paradise. | | | | a couple of miles away from Valletta and take the |
| Parallel to it is Merchant Street which, as its name | | | | Park and Ride service into the capital. The journey |
| suggests, offers a wide variety of retail outlets plus | | | | into Valletta on the Park and Ride service is free and |
| a flea market, the Monti. | | | | so is parking. |
| Valletta is also renowned for its cafés, a few | | | | |