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5 Essential Tips for St. John’s Co Cathedral
All You Need to Know and a Hidden Gem for Your Visit to Valletta’s Impressive Cathedral

Visiting Malta and skipping St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta is truly missing out on something unique.

I’ve been to the island several times, and to be honest, I always postponed visiting the cathedral because of the entrance fee. After all, what could be so special about a church that looks quite plain from the outside?

But eventually, I wanted to know if the hype was justified. And what can I say? Yes, it is, and it was absolutely worth the money!

To ensure you’re well-prepared from the start, I’ve put together 5 essential tips, one being still a hidden gem, and all the important information about the truly stunning St. John’s Co-Cathedral.

5 St. John’s Co Cathedral Tips

1. Don’t Miss the Belfry and Clock Tour

The Belfry and Clock Tour is still a hidden gem and that’s why it’s my top tip for visiting St. John’s Co-Cathedral.

This fantastic tour to the clock mechanism and up the bell tower has only been available since early 2024! You can’t book it in advance; reservations are only made at the main entrance.

For 5 euros, you get a 30-minute guided tour that first takes you to the gallery above the exit: it’s perfect for a stunning view over the nave.

Then you head up to the bell tower, where our wonderful guide Rosalie gave us an insightful explanation of the mechanical clock and how the bells work.

My highlight: the final stop beneath one of the bells itself, from where you also get a beautiful view over Valletta.

Good to know: The Belfry and Clock tour takes place only once an hour, is limited to 10 people, and involves 99 quite narrow steps – not recommended for those who are claustrophobic.
⇨ Tour Time table

A large bell in a bell tower, next to it Linda in sportswear, touching the clapper of the bell with one hand, while the cityscape of Valletta is visible in the background.
St. John’s Co Cathedral bell
The clockwork of gears and mechanisms behind glass in the tower of St. John's Co Cathedral. In the background, a woman in a dark suit presenting the clockwork, with a small clock face on the wall behind her. This guided tour is one of my St. John's Co Cathedral tips.
Clockwork in the Belltower

2. Buy Your Ticket in Advance

As annoying as it is, one of my most important tips for visiting St. John’s Co-Cathedral is to reserve your ticket in advance.

It’s necessary to commit to a specific day ahead of time, especially during the high season in the summer.

Like the Blue Lagoon on Comino, Valletta’s cathedral is one of Malta’s main attractions and is correspondingly well-visited.

When cruise ships are docked, it gets even more crowded. Without a ticket reserved in advance, you might not be allowed in because the church has reached its capacity.

The imposing stone façade of St. John's Co Cathedral from the outside. 2 mighty bell towers rise into the blue sky from the market square in front of it.
St. John’s Co Cathedral from the outsite
This image shows the interior of the St. John's Co Cathedral, viewed from an elevated perspective. Rows of red chairs are arranged across a detailed marble floor with intricate patterns. The arched ceiling and walls are adorned with elaborate gold accents, carvings, and colorful frescoes featuring religious artwork, adding to the space’s opulence and sense of historical significance.
View of the nave of St. John’s Co Cathedral from the Gallery

3. Use the Audio Guide

Right behind the ticket counter, you’ll receive the audio guide, which is included in the admission price. It guides you through the cathedral in English and various other languages.

I found most of the explanations at the different stations and chapels a bit too detailed, but you can pause the guide at any time, skip to the next point, or go back.

Guided Tour Instead of Audio Guides

Alternatively, you can visit the cathedral as part of a guided tour. However, these are not offered separately; they are only available as part of a city tour.

This is a pretty convenient option, as it allows you to learn more about the fascinating history of Valletta in addition to getting information about the cathedral.

⇨ Click here for the guided walking tour of Valletta including the cathedral visit

Close-up of Linda with audio guide at her ear. In the background, the magnificently decorated walls and ceilings of St. John's Co Cathedral
Linda with Audio Guide in the St. John’s Co Cathedral
Two richly decorated stone coffins in the crypt of St. John's Co Cathedral. The floor is made of white marble and the vaulted ceiling is richly decorated in bright murals.
Crypt of the St. John’s Co Cathedral

4. Best time to visit

As I mentioned, St. John’s Co-Cathedral museum is very popular. I highly recommend visiting either early in the morning right after it opens or an hour before it closes.

At these times, there are fewer groups around, and you can enjoy the church in a more relaxed setting.

My Tip: If you want to join the Belfry and Clock Tour (which I highly recommend), try to be in the cathedral an hour before the tour begins. This way, you can take your time to look around inside beforehand and end your visit with the bell tower tour.

5. Dresscode

This is probably obvious, but still: To enter the cathedral, you should be dressed appropriately.

This means shoulders and knees must be covered, even in the hot summer months. High heels and stilettos are prohibited due to the delicate marble floors.

You’ll need to carry your backpack in front of you, as there are no lockers to store it.

St. John’s Co-Cathedral opening times & prices

A richly decorated high altar in a church with lavish gold decor, a statue, and a large chandelier overhead, surrounded by wall paintings and organ pipes.
High altar of St. John’s Co Cathedral
The elongated oratory of St. John's Co Cathedral. The floor consists of colorfully decorated marble tomb slabs. The ceiling is decorated with gilded ornaments.
Oratory of St. John’s Co Cathedral

Why visiting St. John’s Co-Cathedral

St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta is not just any church; it’s a true masterpiece.

It was built between 1573 and 1578 at the request of Grand Master Jean de la Cassière, under the guidance of the Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar, and served as the main church for the Order of the Knights of Malta.

While it appears rather plain from the outside, once you step inside, you’re almost overwhelmed by its splendor: the walls, ceilings, and floors are adorned with baroque decor throughout. Gold, marble, paintings, and detailed carvings fill the interior!

The fantastically painted vaulted ceiling depicts scenes from the life of Saint John, the patron saint of the cathedral.

These paintings were created by Mattia Preti, a famous Italian painter. He not only painted them, but also incorporated the images directly into the plaster.

The 12 lavishly decorated chapels, dedicated to the knights’ regions of origin, known as Langues, vividly showcase how the knights competed in the use of wealth and gold.

The floor is a collection of about 400 intricately designed marble tombstones made from multicolored marble, marking the final resting places of the knights of the Order of Malta.

Each stone is uniquely designed, displaying coats of arms, symbols, and scenes that tell the life stories of the deceased.

And then there’s the cathedral’s famous painting “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist” by the Italian painter Caravaggio. It is one of the artist’s most significant works.

The small chapel of the Langue of Italy is decorated with lots of gold. Both the painted walls and the high ceiling are adorned with Italian, gilded symbols of saints.
Chapel of the langue of Italy
The pulpit in St. John's Co Cathedral consists of a wooden staircase with gilded elements. Underneath is a bench with 2 people resting, putting my St. John's Co Cathedral tips into practice and listening to the audio guide.
Pulpit in St. John’s Co Cathedral

FAQ’s

Why is it called a co-cathedral?

The church was given the suffix “Co” because it is the second seat of the Archbishop of Malta alongside the older Cathedral of St. Paul in Mdina.

How long to spend at St. John’s Co. Cathedral?

I would plan at least an hour just for St. John’s Co-Cathedral. If you add the Belfry and Clock Tour, you need to add an additional 30 minutes.

Conclusion

At first glance, St. John’s Co-Cathedral may seem rather plain, but its interior is a true masterpiece. The entrance fee isn’t cheap, but it’s worth every penny and you definitely won’t regret it.

With my 5 St. John’s Co-Cathedral tips, you’ll be well-prepared to fully enjoy the impressive history, art and baroque architecture of this unique place, one of the main attractions of Valletta.

My most important tip: take the new Belfry and Clock Tour. It offers exclusive insights and breathtaking views to round off your visit – a real highlight and still a hidden gem in that very busy cathedral!

More about Malta, Gozo and Comino

Linda is a travel blogging expert, avid hiker, and island enthusiast. Particularly during the chilly German winters, she finds myself drawn to the sunny European islands. Her mission is to simplify and enhance your island vacations by providing you with all the necessary information for a seamless and fantastic holiday experience.