Louis Rouffaud
Valletta is having a moment. This time it’s not just festival advertisements or late-night dancefloors mentioning Malta’s capital.
Valletta has been included in Forbes’ European Cities of the Future: 10 Places to Visit in 2026, a list highlighting cities shaping the next chapter of European culture, travel, and urban life. Small city, big nod.
Though, this kind of recognition doesn’t happen in isolation. Valletta has been quietly stacking accolades for years. Back in 2018 it was named the European Capital of Culture and post pandemic a full blown renaissance has occurred. Leading most noticeably to a dramatically improved live music and nightlife scene.
Valletta punching above its weight for places to visit in 2026
The dedicated Valletta section focuses on what makes the city work: a walkable historic core, visible regeneration projects like the Renzo Piano’s City Gate, and a cultural scene that punches far above its size. It’s the kind of place where centuries-old architecture sits comfortably alongside hole-in-the-wall cafes, shops, and late-night speakeasies. No reinvention gimmicks required.
For anyone who’s spent time there, the recognition makes sense. Valletta isn’t trying to be a mega-capital. It’s compact, layered, and undeniably beautiful. The kind of city where you can stumble from a wine bar into a live session, then end up at a DJ set overlooking the harbor before calling it a night.
Not bad for a city you can cross on foot before your drink gets warm.
Forbes’ 10 places to visit in 2026 list
Written by Joanne Shurvell, the determination was made by the Forbes team assessing 58 different cities across the continent. The determination focused on urban life metrics including, “atmosphere, walkability, cultural life, gastronomy, safety and overall ease of experience for visitors.”
Other future urban areas highlighted on the list are Edinburgh, Warsaw, and Porto.
About the author: Joanne Shurvell
Joanne Shurvell is a London-based writer who has contributed to Forbes since 2016, covering travel, culture, food and fashion. She’s also co-founded a contemporary art gallery and authored several books on cities and art.
Underground Sound: Born and based in Valletta
Here at Underground Sound, we’ve been based in Valletta for nearly a decade. When it comes to covering the Maltese music scene, no one has the pulse like us. From local music festivals to spotlighting those shaping the island’s underground culture, we know it all.
With an international focus turning toward the country in 2026, keep in the loop with our lists, tips, and recommendations in our underground travel guide. Your gateway to Malta’s unofficial scene.
