St. Julian's as an Island Exploration Base
While The Westin Dragonara Resort provides an all-inclusive seaside sanctuary, Malta’s compact geography makes it effortless to combine resort relaxation with 7,000 years of Mediterranean history. Positioned in the central-eastern district of St. Julian's, guests can reach the capital city of Valletta in 15 minutes by ferry or car, and the medieval inland citadel of Mdina in less than half an hour.
Valletta: The Fortress Capital of the Knights
Founded in 1566 by Grand Master Jean de Valette following the Great Siege of Malta, Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its Baroque architecture, steep gridded streets, and massive curtain bastions.
Key historical sites to visit in Valletta include:
- St. John's Co-Cathedral: A marvel of high Baroque gilded interiors, housing Caravaggio's celebrated masterpiece, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
- Upper Barrakka Gardens: Offering sweeping panoramic views across the Grand Harbour toward the fortified Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua), complete with the ceremonial Noon Saluting Battery.
- Grandmaster's Palace & Armory: The historic seat of the Order of St. John, displaying centuries of knightly armor and historical tapestries.
Mdina: The Silent Medieval Citadel
Perched on a high central plateau with commanding views across the entire island, Mdina was Malta’s medieval capital before the arrival of the Knights Hospitaller. Known as the "Silent City," its narrow stone corridors, Norman and Baroque palazzi, and lack of vehicular traffic evoke a bygone era.
Visitors can enter through the ornate Baroque Mdina Gate, walk the stone ramparts of Bastion Square, and sample Maltese pastizzi (flaky pastries filled with spiced peas or ricotta cheese) in the neighboring village of Rabat.
Transit Tip: The Sliema to Valletta Harbor Ferry
Rather than taking highway traffic around the harbors, take a short 5-minute taxi from the Westin to the Sliema Ferries quay. The modern catamaran passenger ferry crosses Marsamxett Harbour to the base of Valletta’s bastions in under ten minutes, offering breathtaking photography angles of the skyline.
Excursion Itineraries from St. Julian's
| Destination | Distance / Transit Time | Primary Highlights | Recommended Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spinola Bay & Promenade | 10-minute pedestrian stroll | Traditional Luzzu fishing boats, waterfront cafés | Late afternoon / Golden Hour |
| Valletta (Capital) | 7 km / 15 mins via Sliema ferry | Baroque churches, Grand Harbour, museums | Full Day / Morning |
| Mdina & Rabat | 13 km / 25 mins by taxi or bus | Medieval lanes, catacombs, citadel bastions | Half Day / Twilight |
| Blue Grotto & Dingli Cliffs | 18 km / 30 mins drive south | Sea caverns, highest cliff views in Malta | Early Morning for sunlight in caves |
| Gozo & Comino Islands | Circa 45 mins to Ċirkewwa ferry | Blue Lagoon, Victoria Citadel, salt pans | Full Day Island Excursion |
Spinola Bay & Local Walking Routes
Directly accessible on foot from the Dragonara peninsula gates, the paved coastal promenade connects St. Julian's with Sliema and Gżira. Spinola Bay remains dotted with colorful wooden Luzzu fishing boats sporting the mythical Eye of Osiris painted on their bows. The perimeter is lined with seafood bistros and open-air gelato bars where locals gather for the traditional Mediterranean evening stroll (the passeggiata).