🏰 Grandmaster’s Palace Tour: A Majestic Journey Through Malta’s History! ✨

#springitinerary #### **📍 Why Visit the Grandmaster’s Palace?** ✅ **Heart of Maltese Power** – For centuries, this was the seat of the Knights of St. John and later Malta’s government. ✅ **Stunning Baroque Architecture** – Ornate courtyards, frescoed ceilings, and the iconic **Palace Armory** (one of Europe’s finest weapon collections). ✅ **Cultural Icon** – Featured in *Game of Thrones* (Red Keep scenes) and other films. ✅ **Central Location** – Right in **Valletta’s UNESCO-listed old town**, steps from cafés and landmarks. --- ### **🚶♂️ Day Trip Itinerary (Valletta Highlights Included)** #### **☀️ Morning: Arrival & Palace Exploration** **9:30 AM** – Enter **St. George’s Square** (photo op with the palace’s grand façade). **10:00 AM** – **Grandmaster’s Palace Tour**: - **State Rooms**: Admire the **Council Chamber** with its epic *Great Siege of Malta* frescoes. - **Palace Armory**: Marvel at 16th-century suits of armor, swords, and cannons. - **Tapestry Room**: Rare Flemish tapestries gifted to the Knights. **12:00 PM** – Walk to **Upper Barrakka Gardens** for panoramic harbor views (and the noon cannon salute!). #### **🍽️ Midday: Lunch & Old Town Stroll** **12:30 PM** – Lunch at: - **Legligin Wine Bar** (Maltese tapas in a cellar) or - **Caffe Cordina** (historic café with *pastizzi* pastry). **2:00 PM** – Explore nearby: - **St. John’s Co-Cathedral** (gold-covered interior, Caravaggio paintings). - **Merchant Street** for boutique shopping. #### **🌅 Afternoon: Optional Add-Ons** **3:30 PM** – Choose: - **Casa Rocca Piccola** (tour a noble family’s private palace). - **Fort St. Elmo** (National War Museum with WWII history). - **Harbor Cruise** (book a short boat tour of the **Three Cities**). #### **🌙 Evening: Sunset & Departure** **6:00 PM** – Sunset drinks at **The Bridge Bar** (cliffside seating) or dinner at **Noni Maltese Restaurant**. --- ### **📌 Pro Tips:** - **Hours**: Palace open **Mon-Sat 10AM-4:30PM** (Armory closes at 4PM). - **Tickets**: €10 combo for Palace + Armory (free on first Sunday of the month). - **Guided Tours**: Worth it for deeper history (check at entrance). - **Dress Code**: Shoulders/knees covered for St. John’s Co-Cathedral.