St. John's Co-Cathedral

Explore the elegant capital of Malta with a licensed guide and discover masterpieces of Baroque architecture and some of the finest palaces in Europe.  Wander the narrow streets of Valletta and experience its rich history at notable sites from the days of the Knights of St. John and the Grand Master, Jean de Valette. Get a feel for the development of Malta over the centuries and discover an impressive array of buildings, designed by some of the best European architects of the era. Admire the façade of St John's Co-Cathedral, visit Piazza Regina, see the magnificent Bibliotheca Nazionale, and much more.

Discover what makes Malta, and specifically Valletta, so unique on a fascinating walking tour through major historic landmarks. Listen to stories of the numerous events that have taken place in the city and the arrival of thousands of people that turned it into a melting pot of cultures. Walk through the City Gates, a modern project by Italian architect Renzo Piano, who also planned the Parliament building which we will be seeing. Begin your walk through the main roads and dive into some side streets to discover the lesser-known gems of Valletta. Walk along Republic Street, a bustling road with shops, museums, churches, and palaces. Go past the amazing St John's Co-Cathedral, moving on to the main squares. See the Republic Square with Queen Victoria sitting amongst Maltese people, St Georges Square with the Grand Masters Palace, and Independence Square with the Anglican Cathedral and a beautiful Jacaranda tree. Stroll past all the most important palaces constructed by ancient knights. Finish the tour with a visit to the Upper Barrakka Gardens to admire an incredible view of the Grand Harbour.

Embark on a guided tour through the vibrant streets of Valletta, which will allow you to discover the beauty and charm of the capital city of Malta, a fortified city built by the Knights of St. John in 1566. Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety, and with a history spanning almost 5 centuries, it is regarded by many as an open-air museum! Admire its imposing fortifications and bastions, amazing baroque palaces, marvelous churches, gorgeous gardens, and beautiful architecture ranging from mid-16th-century baroque to modernism. Valletta is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary and charming cities you will ever visit. Walk through the bustling streets of the city and discover its many treasures, and visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Grand Harbour. Afterwards, depending on the option you have booked, some of the members of the group will have a guided tour of the stunning co-cathedral dedicated to St. John the Baptist, whereas those booked without the cathedral visit will have some free time to roam around the streets of Valletta. The group then meets again at a designated time and place and proceeds toward Republic Street. At the cathedral you will be able to appreciate and admire all its riches: the adorned interiors, carved stone walls, painted vaulted ceilings, beautiful paintings, precious relics, rich baroque art, and opulent altars. Before the end of the tour, enjoy an audio-visual show that tells the dramatic story of the islands’ 7,000-year history. Educational, informative, and entertaining, the show runs through the turbulent history of a small island nation that has overcome almost unimaginable odds to survive and prosper.

You will meet your professional guide at the central meeting point which is easily accessible on foot, by bus or car, from your cruise ship or ferry. You will discover Valletta's beauty and charm on this half-day guided walking tour through the vibrant streets of the fortified city built by the Knights of St. John, which today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will get a great introduction to Valletta with free time to enjoy the breath-taking view of the Grand Harbour from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. You will learn about the history and life of Valletta and discover all the important landmarks, with free time for you to explore St. John's Co-Cathedral and Museum (entrance not included), including the Caravaggio masterpieces and one of the most beautiful marble inlaid floors in the world. The walking tour ends at the Malta Experience where you can purchase tickets (not included) to watch the audio-visual show where Malta’s history is brought back to life, visit La Sacra Infermeria (the Holy Infirmary built by the Knights) or visit the National War Museum next door at Fort St. Elmo. After the morning tour you will have free time to explore the city on your own for the rest of the day.

Valletta Resounds elegantly strings together the Caravaggio masterpiece, The Beheading of St John the Baptist with theatrical storytelling and timeless classical music. Critically acclaimed Maltese musicians under the musical direction of Jacob Portelli are at the helm of the site-specific performance, bringing to life the works of Baroque Masters such as Handel and Bach along with the sound of sacred Maltese music by composer Francesco Azzopardi and more. Sung to perfection by some of Malta’s most esteemed sopranos, Dorothy Bezzina, Hannah Tong and Dorothy Baldacchino, the music is beautifully brought to life on Baroque Harp, Baroque Violin, Baroque Cello and on the Psaltery. This auditory delight is woven harmoniously with tales of the Oratory narrated by the ever-charming and regal character of Fra Bartolomeo performed by Jeremy Grech. The 40-minute concert starts at 18:30 with access to the Cathedral at 18:00 and can be accessed from main door in St John Street. Patrons may also opt to go on an exclusive guided tour right before the performance! This VIP Package offers the rare chance to explore Malta’s most visited historic church without the hustle and bustle of crowds. Discover the Cathedral's unique qualities to those who choose a visiting experience far from the daytime rhythms. The tour will be conducted in English by a professional Tourist Guide. NB Patrons may still opt to visit the Cathedral at 18:00, 30 minutes prior to the concert outside of the tour. Upgrade to our VIP experience with an exclusive tour of the Cathedral and front row seats to the concert by following this link: https://www.getyourguide.com/valletta-l1195/exclusive-tour-of-st-john-s-co-cathedral-with-concert-t956274/?preview=UA4ANO10DRJCRHE92DZA742RAY2R2LL3

You will meet your guide at the entrance of Valletta in front of the New Parliament Building, looking out for their red umbrella. Your guide will give an introduction to Valletta, and then will lead you through this fortress city, ensuring you do not miss out on anything worth seeing. As you walk past Auberges, palaces, and churches, your guide will unfold the history of the Knights of Malta, as well as the city’s connections with the British period. You will also visit gardens, which offer stunning views of Malta's Grand Harbour. The walk ends with a guided tour of St. John's Co-Cathedral, including the oratory which houses Caravaggio's masterpiece "The Beheading of St. John the Baptist". Entrance fee to the church is not included and tickets can be bought on the day.

Experience the unique beauty of this island on this guided tour. Cruise passengers can feel welcome to indulge in this captivating 4-hour shore excursion. Steep yourself in the history and culture of this vibrant island as you step off the ship and onto land. Explore the enchanting Mdina, the 'Silent City,' witness the grandeur of Valletta, stroll through the flower-adorned Barrakka Gardens, marvel outside of the Grandmaster’s Palace, but you can always visit it after the tour. Be ensured an unforgettable exploration by your passionate guide. Unveil the enchanting aspects of Malta's charm. Relax with comfortable transport seamlessly arranged for your convenience. After the tour, choose to be escorted back to your ship or linger in Valletta, with a simple elevator ride back to the pier awaiting you.

See the sights of Valletta on a 3-hour private walking tour with a guide who provides insight into the history ,architecture and wonders of Malta's capital. Explore both the top attractions and less-visited locations in the city, hearing interesting facts as you go. Enjoy the personalized service of a private guide. See the city's UNESCO-listed baroque architecture and other historical sights Learn fascinating facts about the founding of the city in the 16th century and enjoy personalized attention from a private guide who will tell you all you need to know about this wonderful city and answer all your questions

Book this 5-day excursion package to experience all of the culture, charm, and history of Malta and Gozo Islands. Visit the archipelago's main highlights with two full-day tours and three half-day tours over 5 days. Get picked up and dropped off at your hotel every day of your experience. Browse through the many available itineraries and select the option that best fits your plans. See the day-by-day itinerary when selecting your preferred option. Drive to the city of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a half-day tour. Explore imposing fortifications, bastions, and palaces. Watch an immersive audiovisual show on Malta's history and tour St John's Co-Cathedral, the Upper Barraka Gardens, and Grand Harbour. Take a day trip to Mdina, the country's old capital city. Admire the fortified walls and its spectacular panoramas. Visit the village of Rabat, the Catacombs of St Cataldus, Dingli Cliffs, San Anton Gardens, Ta' Qali Artisan Village, and the Rotunda of Mosta with its dome. Enjoy lunch and a glass of wine. Embark on another half-day excursion to the famous Three Cities: Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Copiscua. Appreciate these historic fortified cities and discover their magnificent churches, piazzas, fortifications, and architectural treasures. Take a boat trip of the creeks aboard a Maltese 'frejgatina'. Immerse yourself in the landscape of Gozo on a scenic day trip. Take the ferry from Malta and visit the city of Victoria, the Ggantija temples, and the Citadel, a majestic medieval fortress. Gaze at Xlendi Bay, Dwejra Bay, and Inland Sea, with an optional boat trip. Eat lunch with a glass of wine. Head over to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk on a half-day adventure. See the largest fishing harbor in Malta, lined with traditional “luzzus”, brightly colored boats. Wander around the open-air market, visit the town of Qrendi, and marvel at the Blue Grotto, with an optional boat trip.

Step inside Malta’s most visited historic church without the crowds! This VIP Package offers a rare, intimate guided tour of St. John’s Co-Cathedral in English, unveiling its artistic and architectural wonders in the tranquil evening ambiance. Led by a professional Tourist Guide, this exclusive experience allows you to explore the Cathedral’s hidden gems before the night’s breathtaking performance. Following the tour, immerse yourself in Valletta Resounds with front row seats to a stunning site-specific concert held in the Oratory. This theatrical musical experience elegantly weaves Caravaggio’s masterpieces with Baroque music by Handel, Bach, and Maltese composer Francesco Azzopardi. Under the musical direction of Jacob Portelli, the performance features some of Malta’s most esteemed sopranos Dorothy Bezzina, Hannah Tong, and Dorothy Baldacchino alongside Baroque Harp, Violin, Cello, and Psaltery. Narrated by the captivating Fra Bartolomeo (performed by Jeremy Grech), this unforgettable evening fuses history, music, and storytelling into a truly immersive experience.