Malta’s Historic Architecture Yields Discoveries for Luxury Travelers

Thanks to its location in the center of the Mediterranean, Malta has long stood at the crossroads of history. Over the millennia, the island has seen its share of conquerors and settlers; from Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs and Normans to the Knights of St. John, the French, and the British. All these cultures left their mark in art, traditions, and cuisine, making Malta a rich and diverse destination for contemporary travelers. There’s also a wealth of historic architecture here, not only ornate stone churches and imposing fortresses but also grand palazzos and manor houses that once were home to nobility and have now been turned into elegant boutique hotels and guest residences.

  
Several of these properties are in the capital city of Valletta, founded in the 16th century by the Knights of St. John and today a UNESCO Heritage Site with picturesque streets, a vibrant arts scene, and lively bars and restaurants. The elegant hotel 66 Saint Paul’s is a recently restored gem of a 17th-century palazzo with a central courtyard and rooms that look out toward the harbor. 

In Upper Valletta the Domus Zamittello was built around 1589 by a wealthy Italian family. In the early 1800s it was passed to the Zamitt family, whose descendant initiated restorations that have transformed this landmark into an award-winning heritage hotel with 21 rooms and suites. 
There’s something new on the horizon in Valletta as well. Coming in winter 2025 is Romégas, an intimate 23-room boutique property in a renovated 500-year-old palazzo. 

Across the harbor from Malta’s capital is the Three Cities area, once the site of massive fortifications and now boasting several new high-end accommodations. Close to the Kalkara Marina is the Cité Privée Maison Malte, a spacious three-bedroom penthouse villa with a generous terrace, a private plunge pool, and round-the-clock butler service. 

Nearby is Palazzo Bettina, which dates to the 17th century. After centuries as a private residence for prominent society and court individuals, the building was meticulously renovated with a view to retaining its historic beauty and charm. Today it is an intimate four-star hotel, part of the IBB Hotel Collection, and includes 13 rooms appointed with contemporary amenities that blend with its authentic atmosphere. 

In western Malta you’ll find the island’s old capital of Mdina and its neighboring town, Rabat. Here the luxurious Relais & Chateaux chain maintains two separate high-end residences linked to its five-star Xara Palace, which itself began life as a 17th-century residence within the city walls. The two-bedroom Palazzino Belvedere Relais & Chateaux has a history rooted in Mdina’s medieval era. That past is reflected in its atmospheric stone walls and a décor of traditional tiles and other artifacts. Overlooking the Rabat countryside, the Villa Barumbara tal-Laring offers more contemporary upscale lodgings with six bedrooms, kitchen, a pool, and private garden.  Both properties include the services of a private experience curator. 

The quiet village of Ħal Għaxaq is the gateway to the south of Malta, and its picturesque central square has been home to the Palazzo Castagna since 1755. Descendents of the Castagna family made this their residence for generations; today the structure’s tawny stone walls enclose a restored boutique hotel with an interior garden and a rooftop pool. 

 “Malta is an open-air museum with 8,000 years of history,” says Michelle Buttigieg of the Malta Tourism Authority. “The palazzos are a testament to the meticulous preservation of Maltese culture and heritage. In a blend of old and new, the restored palazzos welcome guests to experience and connect with a glimpse of history through the lens of modern times.”