The beautiful European city that’s further south than two African capitals

One of Europe’s most historical cities is just over three hours by plane from the UK, but it’s actually further south than two African capitals.

Situated below Algiers in Algeria and Tunis in Tunisia, it surprisingly reaches a not-so-Saharan 27 degrees in August, making it a perfect city break.

Renowned for its stunning Baroque architecture and narrow winding streets, this capital is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its rich history and beautifully preserved buildings.

Valletta, the capital of Malta, was described by UNESCO as “one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world”, where visitors can wander through winding streets to discover 320 monuments within the tiny walkable area of 0.21 sq miles.

History seeps through Valletta’s fortress architecture, such as the defensive walls that were built to hold off the Ottoman empire during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.

Visitors can still make their way through underground tunnels from the Great Siege, which allowed people to move around and transport water and grain.

Those eager to learn more about Valetta’s turbulent past can head to one of the many museums, including the Museum of Archeology, Palace Armoury, and the Lascaris War Rooms. 

Similarly to Amsterdam, the red light district is the city’s main going-out district, however, Strait Street no longer serves its original purpose.

Thanks to its proximity to Algeria and Tunisia, its Italian and European food has an Arabic influence, making meal time an exquisite treat for the palette. 

Local delicacies include imqaret, deep-fried date-filled pastries, or Brungiel Mimli, roasted aubergine stuffed with mince, garlic, and mint.  

For those looking for a party atmosphere, Valleta is festival-central.

It has one key date for the calendar just before Lent, and another at the end of April. 

The Lent festival lasts for five days, with parades and live performances, while the Fireworks Festival in April lights up the Grand Harbour.

Flights to Valletta take 3 hours 15 minutes and return flights on Skyscanner from 1-8 May 2025 start at £93.