Recently, Condé Nast, the international publishing group that owns renowned magazines such as Vogue and GQ, named Valletta, the capital of Malta, as the 2025 Readers' Choice—Best City in the World.
In a genuine vote by over 182,500 readers of Condé Nast Traveler, this ancient city built by the Knights of St. John stood out. Just one day after being named the "Best City in Europe," it topped the list as the "Best City in the World," completing a rare "double crown achievement" in the travel industry.
This is not merely a city honor; it is a highly consistent choice formed by high-net-worth individuals, long-term residents, and international travelers after extensive experience and rational comparison.
Within 55 hectares, a history of European civilization is condensed
Valletta was built by the medieval Knights of St. John. The city was originally designed by Francesco Laparelli, an assistant to Michelangelo, using a grid layout that blends Baroque architecture with military defense functions.
Within an area of just 55 hectares, 320 historical monuments are densely distributed, leading UNESCO to describe it as: "One of the areas with the highest concentration of historical and cultural heritage in the world."
The grid-like street structure, Baroque-style architecture, and military defense system are highly integrated, making Valletta both a "living museum" and a capital city with modern urban functions.
Behind the high popularity lies the embodiment of national governance and urban resilience
As the political and cultural center of Malta, Valletta welcomes tens of thousands of international tourists every day. This serves as a long-term and rigorous test of the city's infrastructure, traffic management, public order, and administrative efficiency.
The ability to maintain safety, order, and a high-quality living experience under high-intensity tourist traffic itself demonstrates that Malta is not only suitable for short stays but also ideal for long-term residence and family planning.
Malta, the world's only "four-in-one national attribute" country
The uniqueness of Malta lies in its national identity combination, which is almost impossible to replicate globally: an EU member state, a Schengen Area country, a Commonwealth country, and a Eurozone country. It is this unique national attribute that makes the value of Maltese status reflected not only in travel convenience but also in every aspect of daily life.
• Freedom of Travel: One status, connecting Europe. Holding Maltese status allows for free travel across 29 Schengen countries, with a stay of up to 90 days within every 180-day period, truly achieving "freedom of movement with status in hand." Whether for business trips, family travel, or long-term planning, it is more relaxed.
• Livable Climate: A typical Mediterranean climate with stable temperatures throughout the year between 10–30°C and over 300 days of sunshine annually. With no harsh winters or scorching summers, it is very suitable for long-term residence, retirement, and family life.
• Leading Healthcare: The healthcare system is mature and advanced, with an overall level consistently ranking among the best in the world. Public and private healthcare operate in parallel, offering high efficiency and broad coverage; meanwhile, there is high recognition of Traditional Chinese Medicine, making it particularly friendly to Chinese families.
• Educational Advantages: An all-English teaching environment that inherits the orthodox Commonwealth education system. The teaching quality is high, and the curriculum and academic qualifications can seamlessly connect with prestigious universities in Europe and the United States. At the same time, children can enjoy the status of overseas Chinese students, allowing them to apply for key universities in mainland China through a more advantageous score channel, achieving a "dual-track education layout of East and West."
• Language Environment: With a 96% English proficiency rate nationwide, communication in government, education, healthcare, and the workplace is almost barrier-free, ensuring low integration costs and fast adaptation after moving.
When a city is highly recognized by internationally renowned media, global travelers, and long-term residents alike, it represents more than just scenery and history; it represents a safe, free, and sustainable lifestyle. For families hoping to transform this lifestyle from a "short-term experience" into a "long-term possession," the status itself becomes the key carrier connecting urban value with personal planning.
Currently, through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, one person can invest to allow four generations of the family to apply for Maltese permanent residency, providing comprehensive support for the family's educational layout, improvement of quality of life, European travel, and long-term status planning.
WorldWay, one of the top 500 Asian brands, has focused on investment immigration for over 20 years. As an active promoter of European investment immigration projects, it has maintained a positive relationship with the Maltese government for many years and is your trusted choice for handling Maltese immigration.
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