Culture
Beyond the tourist trail! Discover Valletta’s best-kept secrets with exclusive guided tours
Step through Valletta’s history with a guided tour of Mysterium Fidei or a combination ticket including the Black Friars Experience.

Lyndsey Grima

Tucked away behind unassuming doors and quiet alleys, Hidden Valletta Ltd. offers visitors a chance to discover a lesser-known side of Malta’s capital, often missed even by locals. More than a tourism venture, it is an initiative rooted in Valletta’s heritage, with a particular focus on St. Catherine’s Monastery; a site of historical and cultural significance.

With Hidden Valletta, you are not only visiting historical sites but you are stepping into stories carefully preserved and lovingly shared.

Hidden Valletta tours

One of Hidden Valletta’s latest experiences is the Guided Tour of Mysterium Fidei. Located within the cloisters and hidden gardens of St Catherine’s Monastery, this extraordinary site remained closed to the public for over 450 years before finally opening its doors.

Led by an official Malta tour guide, the experience brings to life the rich history of this secluded haven, offering visitors a rare glimpse into a world once reserved for cloistered nuns who lived a life of devotion, humility, and self-sufficiency.

Hidden Valletta tours

The tour begins with a discreet entrance through a small door, leading into serene cloisters and a tranquil secret garden - an oasis of calm just steps away from Valletta’s bustling streets. Guests will hear interesting stories of the monastery’s past, visit the nuns’ final resting place in the crypt, and enjoy exclusive access to areas rarely seen by the public, including the nuns’ visitor room and the intimate Chapel of St Catherine.

With limited places available, early booking is highly recommended to secure your spot on this unique cultural experience. Upcoming tours will be held on Saturday 13th September at 2pm and Saturday 27th September at 2pm. Tickets can be purchased through the official website here

Hidden Valletta tours

However, your journey doesn’t have to end there. For those eager to uncover Valletta’s hidden treasures, the Combination Ticket is the perfect way to delve deeper into the city’s rich cultural and religious heritage.

This special pass includes entry to two of Valletta’s most fascinating and little-known sites: Mysterium Fidei and The Valletta Black Friars Experience. Both are unique museums tucked away from the busy streets, offering a chance to step back in time and explore places that reveal the city’s spiritual and historical roots.

Just a short two-minute stroll away from the Mysterium Fidei lies The Valletta Black Friars Experience, located within the Dominican priory. Here, you’ll discover the pivotal role the Dominican order played in shaping Valletta’s story, while also visiting private chapels and admiring the striking Basilica of St Dominic, adorned with priceless art and sacred treasures.

At only €13, with tickets purchased at reception desk, this combination ticket allows you to visit both museums on the same day or at any point within 30 days of purchase.

Hidden Valletta tours

What makes Hidden Valletta so special is personal connection. This isn’t a large-scale operation run from a distance; it’s a local project born of love for the city, respect for its history and a desire to share stories that might otherwise fade away.

Whether you’re a curious traveller or a local rediscovering your roots, Hidden Valletta offers a chance to step away from the crowds and connect with a deeper, quieter Malta.

29th August 2025


Lyndsey Grima
Written by
Lyndsey Grima
Lyndsey has always been passionate about all things content. She keeps her storytelling skills sharp by exercising physically as she’s a fitness buff and also mentally as she enjoys reading and travelling.

You may also like...
Culture
Culture
Before the current church, there was an earliet church dedicated to the Holy Cross.

Lyndsey Grima
Culture
Culture
Explore local theatre talent and historic Maltese streets at the same time!

Francesca Vella
Culture
Culture
12 villages will be celebrating feasts next month

GuideMeMalta.com