How to Spend a Rainy Day in Valletta

With 300 days of sunshine throughout the year, you might feel really unlucky if you encounter a rainy day during your holiday in Malta. As much as you may wish for a sunny mid-winter break – unfortunately Malta does have its occasional rainy days. And when it rains, it pours! But don’t let that worry you. After a wintry day, the sun always comes back with a bang and re-instils the warmth that you’re craving. Here are a few ideas of how you could spend a rainy day in Malta, without having to leave the capital, Valletta!

Valletta is a dream destination for history buffs. There are many museums and historical buildings that are open to the public, inviting all to learn about the islands’ rich history, from pre-historic times, through to the First and Second World War. Spend a day at the National War Museum at Fort St Elmo or the Lascaris War Rooms, or take a trip to the National Museum of Archaeology or the Grandmaster’s Palace Armoury & State Rooms to explore the roots of the city’s culture.

Apart from historical museums, you’ll also find a range of art museums in the capital. MUŻA – The Malta National Community Art Museum – is located within the Auberge d’Italie, which used to house the Italian Langue of the Knights of St John. There are also regular exhibitions held at the Valletta Contemporary museum, St James’ Cavalier, and the Iniala5 Gallery next to the National Library.

A rainy day in could be the perfect excuse to sit back and enjoy a beer or two in Valletta. The Cheeky Monkey Gastropub encourages this. If you’d much rather stay warm inside a cosy restaurant, with great food and drinks to boot, all you need to do is head to the Cheeky Monkey, located next door to AX The Saint John on Merchants Street.

If you’re in the mood for a 5-star meal, there’s no better place to dine that at Grain on Merchants Street. The innovative restaurant consists of Grain Street, which is based on an innovative sharing concept, and Under Grain, which provides a refined dining experience. Gather your travel companions or go solo: Grain will make you forget all about the rainy weather!

What better place to take shelter from the rain than inside one of Valletta’s beautiful churches? Step inside St John’s Co Cathedral and take your time to marvel at Caravaggio’s masterpiece, ‘The Beheading of St John’, which hangs inside. There are also other magnificent churches in the city, waiting to be explored.

A revived post-war movie theatre in Valletta, ‘City Lights’, is a retro bar and cinema where you can watch several old-time classics. With two authentic cinema rooms and a well-stocked bar, this place is a perfect spot to get cosy and escape the bad weather.

During the winter, there are also a number of shows being staged at the Manoel Theatre, Malta’s national theatre. Take a look at the seasonal calendar and get ready for a night at the theatre, be it a musical, drama, dance or instrumental performance. The Christmas season also brings with it the annual pantomime at the Manoel Theatre, which is a beloved family-friendly tradition among locals!

Explore the 7,000 years of Malta’s history with an audio-visual tour at the old Knights’ Hospital. The building, once known as ‘La Sacra Infermiera’, is one of the islands’ most popular attractions. The historical documentary and tour of the hospital provide an interesting experience of Malta’s history during the time of the Knights of St John.

If you’re interested in seeing how the Maltese Nobility used to live, visit the Casa Rocca Piccola. This is a palace turned into a ‘living museum’, which is also the ancestral home of a Maltese noble family. The owners open their home to visitors and give tours through the well-preserved building, pointing out interesting facts along the way. From modern paintings and ancestral portraits, to a network of bomb shelters and underground cellars, Casa Rocca Piccola is full of charm – perfect for a rainy day!