Valletta Voted World's Most Beautiful City
The Maltese capital beat out European metropolises in a major reader poll.
Valletta has been named the world's most beautiful city. The Maltese capital beat out Paris, Athens, and Lisbon in the «Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2025». The online magazine «Reisereporter.de» reported on the selection. The awards are based on a reader poll. More than 182,500 readers participated in the voting. According to the report, Valletta left "perennial tourist favourites like Paris, Athens, and Lisbon behind".
This honour confirms the reputation of a city that long stood in the shadow of larger metropolises. Valletta, at 0.84 square kilometres, is the smallest capital city in the European Union. The city lies on the Monte Sciberras peninsula. «The Monte Sciberras peninsula, where Valletta is located, is enclosed by Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour – these are the two largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean,» writes «Reisereporter.de». This location allows Valletta to be experienced from the water and its fortress walls. The natural harbours are not artificial basins but bays extending far inland, which have offered the city protection and connectivity for centuries.
A Fortress City with History
Valletta was named after the Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Jean Parisot de Valette. The knights built the city after their victory over the Ottomans in 1565. They planned Valletta as a fortress city with a grid-like layout. This layout is still visible today and makes orientation easy. The city was designed as a base for the Order; it served not only representative purposes but primarily defence. From the bastions, the natural harbours could be monitored. The city centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980. Baroque palaces, bastions, and narrow streets characterise the historic core. The fortress walls reach a height of up to 47 metres in some places.
Valletta also offers much culturally. The city's cuisine is a blend of Mediterranean, British, and oriental influences. Pastizzi, filled pastries, are typical. These specialities can be sampled in the city's cafes and restaurants. Those who venture off the main streets find quiet squares and hidden courtyards. Proximity to the sea shapes the cityscape: from many points, one looks out over the water. Official languages are Maltese and English. For travellers from Switzerland, communication is therefore usually unproblematic.
Valletta's Significance for Swiss Cities
Valletta's award also serves as an inspiration for Swiss cities. Valletta demonstrates that a small area does not have to be a disadvantage. The city is compact, and distances are short. Public spaces, museums, and restaurants are close to one another. In Switzerland, urban sprawl and densification are often debated. Valletta shows how urban quality can be created in a confined space. Heritage protection and modern urban development are not mutually exclusive there. Historical substance is not an obstacle but part of the appeal. Small towns could also benefit from this principle.
For travellers, Valletta is an example of how history and daily life intertwine. The city is not a museum city but a vibrant place. Anyone visiting Malta should dedicate at least one day to it. The most important sights are close together; even half a day is enough for a first impression. An overview of the travel destination Malta shows what the island offers beyond its capital. City portraits from Europe can also help to contextualise the choice. And for the debate on compact cities, a look at urbanity in Switzerland is worthwhile.
Whether Valletta will retain the title permanently remains to be seen. Reader polls are subjective and can vary from year to year. The full ranking was not disclosed in the «Reisereporter.de» report. Nevertheless, the honour has an effect: it draws attention to a city that had previously stood in the shadow of larger Mediterranean metropolises. This can further boost tourism in Malta. For urban planners and travellers alike, Valletta exemplifies how vibrant a compact city can be. The coming months will show whether the award leaves a lasting impression.
Sources
- The smallest EU capital is one of the most beautiful places worldwide (Secondary source, 2026-08-27, researched on 2026-08-27)
- news.google.com (Secondary source, researched on 2026-08-27)
- news.google.com (Secondary source, researched on 2026-08-27)
- news.google.com (Secondary source, researched on 2026-08-27)
- news.google.com (Secondary source, researched on 2026-08-27)
- news.google.com (Secondary source, researched on 2026-08-27)
- news.google.com (Secondary source, researched on 2026-08-27)
- news.google.com (Secondary source, researched on 2026-08-27)
