Gatwick: Europe’s ‘best city break’, truly fit for a queen, and super cheap

Asia TravelerJanuary 22, 2023

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Europe’s ‘best city holidays’ are fit for a queen and super cheap. Valletta, the capital of Malta, beat Athens, Budapest, Tbilisi, Split, Madrid, Paris and other cities to top the list of the best urban resorts in Europe selected by Time Travel.

Valletta is a small historic capital with stunning views of the turquoise waters. The late Queen Elizabeth II lived outside the city during the early years of her marriage to Prince Philip, before she became queen during his naval career.

Founded in 1566 on a peninsula between two natural harbours, the entire city of Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as this compact city is filled with ornate cathedrals, lush gardens and colorful street.

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the queen lived nearby for a few years(Image credit: © Sylvain SONNET)

Its small size makes it the perfect weekend getaway, with the city’s fortress, St. John’s Cathedral, museums and more all within walking distance. Stroll around and admire the Baroque architecture, the fortified city walls with views of the Mediterranean Sea, and even step into the Lascaris War Rooms to catch a glimpse of the British defense of Malta during World War II.

There is much more to explore than just cities. The Mediterranean Sea is home to coral reefs, caves and shipwrecks, which can be reached by diving or snorkeling. We all know underwater visibility is spectacular.

St John’s Cathedral is a must-see in Valletta(Image credit: Emmanuele Contini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you might recognize parts of the nearby islands, as they were the setting for King’s Landing and the Dothraki in the first season. The other islands in the archipelago are just a short boat ride away.