New day, new possibilities. I’m getting used to waking up at 6:30. Not ideal on vacation, but at least it gives me more time to explore. Plus, it gets dark around 18:30.

Breakfast consists of toast with turkey ham and some cheddar cheese. Nothing adventurous, but enough to start the day.

My car is still where I left it, but under a lime tree, which, along with some birds, has left its mark on the car. Perfect.

Google Maps guides me towards Valletta, the capital of Malta. Rush hour on the island is hectic, and Google sends me through streets that are far from main roads—narrow as hell. Without GPS, I wouldn’t find anything here.

It takes nearly 50 minutes to cover the 18 km, but I finally reach the parking garage under the bus terminal.

Parking here costs 12 euros a day, which is cheap for such a central location. I planned ahead, so I arrive an hour early for the walking tour—just enough time to grab a coffee and solve an Earth Geocache at the Triton Fountain.

My guide sends me a WhatsApp with her location—smart move, as there are many groups and tons of tourists here. Our group is small: two US families and four others, making it the perfect size to get the most out of the tour.

Lots of historical information (which you can read on Wikipedia if you’re interested), insights about the Maltese language (considered an Arabic dialect but written in Latin letters), and, of course, stories about the Order of St. John—impossible to escape in Malta.

Along the route, we pass Bieb il-Belt (City Gate), St. John Bastion, Il-Belt (Kon-Katidral ta’ San Ġwann), and many more sites. We take a break at the Lower Barrakka Garden before ending the tour at St. George’s Square. A great tour, lasting 2.5 hours. This one was booked through Viator, so not a free tour, but 20 euros was a reasonable price.

I wanted to visit Il-Belt Cathedral, but the line outside was too long, and online tickets were only available in two days or more. Bummer, as it was on my must-visit list. Maybe I’ll have another chance later.

I walk through the pedestrian zone to the Upper Barrakka Garden—great views over the harbor. Then I take the 1-euro elevator down to the waterfront. Much better than stairs or climbing. Valletta isn’t flat at all; the streets are extremely steep, which I wouldn’t have guessed. You can definitely get some exercise here.

I decide to take the ferry over to the Three Cities. I opt for the official ferry rather than the small traditional boats—not the most trustworthy, though very popular with tourists. Speaking of tourists, there are plenty here. And in summer, it must be overwhelming, with cruise ships and planes bringing even more people. Valletta only has 3,000 inhabitants—imagine three cruise ships with 4,000 passengers each entering the city. Add 45-degree heat in the shade, and you’ve got a tourist BBQ! I think I picked the right season.

The boat ride takes about 10 minutes (3.80 euros for a return ticket) to Birgu. The city is charming and surprisingly peaceful compared to Valletta. I grab a pastizzi with mashed peas as a snack and decide on an early dinner. The restaurant has great reviews, so why not?

BeBirgu is the name of the place. It’s a beautiful old building with a table in the courtyard. White tablecloths and cloth napkins—very nice. I try a traditional rabbit dish (Stuffat tal-Fenek). A bit of work since the rabbit is served with bones, but the taste is great, and for just 20 euros, it’s a good choice. I also order a Curacao Spritz, but it’s not to my liking—only manage 2-3 sips.

Time to head back to Valletta. The boat ride is smooth, and I take the elevator up again. I do some quick shopping (forgot to buy water earlier) before heading to the car. But my parking ticket is invalid. At the service desk, they tell me my car was parked on the line instead of between them. Thankfully, they validate my ticket anyway—lesson learned: watch your lines, even if space is tight. 10 euros for the day is totally fair.

Driving back through rush hour is an experience. I get honked at for not being Maltese enough—apparently, careful driving isn’t the norm. It’s like Italian driving but on the wrong side of the road. Once out of the city, it’s much easier. And lucky me—I even find a good parking spot near my accommodation.

Another great day in Malta. More to explore tomorrow!