Holiday home of the week: a former architect’s studio in Valletta, Malta

The summer months are the perfect time for wandering Valletta’s shady, sloping streets, which are a welcome retreat from the hot midday sun. Several of the city’s baroque buildings have been newly restored, thanks to its programme as the 2018 European Capital of Culture, and historic architecture is hiding around every corner. Valletta sits at the edge of the sea, offering plenty of rocky patches to dive off, and is a 40-minute drive from sandy beaches for those that like to bask. Malta’s ancient temples are also close by.

Explore the city and its surrounds from Atelier – a tiled apartment converted from a former architect’s studio. It’s furnished with a mix of old and new design and includes one of Valletta’s traditional gallarija wooden balconies, as well as a roof terrace.

Best for: short city breaks; ancient architecture
Cost: from €95 per night (direct)