St. Elmo Breakwater

The St. Elmo Breakwater extends from the tip of Valletta's peninsula into the Grand Harbour, sheltering the entrance to one of the Mediterranean's most storied anchorages. It sits at the foot of Fort St. Elmo, the star-shaped fortification that guarded the harbour during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. A small lighthouse marks the end of the breakwater, though it is currently closed to visitors and some of the original stone steps have been worn away by decades of wave action. The walkable path along the sea wall offers an escape from Valletta's busy tourist streets, with open views across the harbour to the Three Cities and out toward the open sea. Surfaces can be slippery and waves occasionally wash over the wall in rough weather, so solid footwear is advised.