Valletta Scenic Cruise: Historic City Views

Embark on a 90-minute scenic cruise from Sliema to explore the captivating city of Valletta and its surroundings. Discover Malta’s rich history, admire the stunning natural harbours, and enjoy onboard amenities like free Wi-Fi and a cash bar.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Sliema - We depart from Sliema Ferries and cruise through Sliema Creek.

Sliema Creek is a very busy waterway, with harbour cruise boats operating from it that are constantly plying in and out with tourists. The advantage of mooring on this jetty is that it’s located at the centre of Sliema, a very busy area with all kinds of shops, restaurants, bars, etc., which is a short walk from the jetty; therefore, before or after the trip, one can enjoy a walk along the beautiful promenade, have a meal or a coffee in the many eateries in the area, or browse through the many shops located at the centre of Sliema.

  • Manoel Island - Passing by Manoel Island.

Manoel Island, formerly known as Bishop’s Island or the Isolotto, is a small island that forms part of the municipality of Gżira in Marsamxett Harbour, Malta. It is named after the Portuguese Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena, who built a fort on the island in the 1720s.

Manoel Island is a low, rather flat hill, shaped roughly like a leaf. It is located in the middle of Marsamxett Harbour, with Lazzaretto Creek to its south and Sliema Creek to its north. The island is connected to mainland Malta by a bridge. The whole island can be viewed from the bastions of the capital, Valletta.

  • Lazzaretto Of Manoel Island - Passing through Lazzaretto Creek.

The Lazzaretto is a former quarantine facility and hospital on Manoel Island. It is a complex of various buildings dating back to the 17th and 19th centuries. Most of the structures still exist, although they are in a bad state due to damage sustained during World War II and over 30 years of abandonment. It is planned that the Lazzaretto be restored.

  • Manoel Island Yacht Marina - Passing by the beautiful Manoel Island Yacht Marina.

This Marina is centrally located in Gzira, on the south coast of Manoel Island and is part of Manoel Island Yard. The marina It provides very well-protected pontoons, so skippers can anchor safely regardless of the NE winds.

With the capital city, Valletta, in the background, this Marina is an amazingly beautiful mooring and is the perfect location to go anywhere on the island. You can enjoy a really fascinating view of Valletta’s huge fortress and a variety of beautiful buildings with spectacular architecture.

  • Valletta - Passing by the battlements and imposing fortifications surrounding Valletta.

  • Floriana - Passing by the battlements and imposing fortifications surrounding Floriana.

  • Fort St Angelo - Passing by Fort St. Angelo.

A bastioned fort in Birgu, Fort St. Angelo, is located at the centre of the Grand Harbour. It was originally built in the medieval period as a castle called Castrum Maris. It was rebuilt by the Order of Saint John as a bastioned fort called Fort Saint Angelo between the 1530s and the 1560s, and it is best known for its role as the Order’s headquarters during the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.

  • Esplora Jetty - Passing through Kalkara Creek, we stop at the Esplora Jetty for 5 minutes.
  • Cospicua (Bormla) - Passing by Cospicua, one of the fortified cities that make up the popular historical area known as “The Three Cities”.

The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea. These cities can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history, as Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua have provided a home and fortress to almost every person who settled on the islands.

Their harbour inlets have been in use since Phoenician times, with the docks always providing a living for local people but also leaving them vulnerable when Malta’s rulers were at war. As the first home to the Knights of St. John, the Three Cities’ palaces, churches, forts, and bastions are far older than Valletta’s.

  • Senglea - Passing by Senglea, one of the fortified cities that make up the popular historical area known as “The Three Cities”.

The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea. These cities can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history, as Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua have provided a home and fortress to almost every person who settled on the islands.

Their harbour inlets have been in use since Phoenician times, with the docks always providing a living for local people but also leaving them vulnerable when Malta’s rulers were at war. As the first home to the Knights of St. John, the Three Cities’ palaces, churches, forts, and bastions are far older than Valletta’s.

  • Birgu (Vittoriosa) - Passing by Vittoriosa, one of the fortified cities that make up the popular historical area known as “The Three Cities”.

The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea. These cities can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history, as Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua have provided a home and fortress to almost every person who settled on the islands.

Their harbour inlets have been in use since Phoenician times, with the docks always providing a living for local people but also leaving them vulnerable when Malta’s rulers were at war. As the first home to the Knights of St. John, the Three Cities’ palaces, churches, forts, and bastions are far older than Valletta’s.

  • Kalkara - Passing by Kalkara Creek.

Kalkara Creek was sometimes also called ‘English Creek’. It is a well-known sheltered inlet for various fishermen’s and oarsman’s boats, but it is exposed to the northeast wind. The shore, sheltered and with remarkable views, was enlarged several times, including the present development done in the 1950s.

  • Palumbo Malta shipyard - Passing through the French and the Dockyard Creeks.

This is the fourth creek to port side on entering Grand Harbour. Large ships are normally anchored in this creek waiting to enter drydocks. Malta Shipyards is one of the largest commercial yards in the Mediterranean. Within Malta Shipyards is a Super Yacht section, where a covered drydock is very popular for Super Yacht refits and repairs. A constant number of Super Yachts are refitted here every year. At the extreme inner end of Grand Harbour, there are two other yards; one has a floating dock for yachts up to 500 tons, and the other has both a slipway and a floating dock.

  • Marsamxett - Passing by the Marsamxett Harbor.

Marsamxett Harbour, historically also referred to as Marsamuscetto, is a natural harbour located to the north of the larger Grand Harbour. The harbour is generally more dedicated to leisure use than the Grand Harbour.

  • Grand Harbour - Passing by the imposing Valletta Grand Harbour.

Malta’s majestic Grand Harbour is one of the most spectacular ports in the world. A wide stretch of water separating the capital city of Valletta from the historic towns of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua, the harbour has been a hive of activity for over two thousand years. With its imposing fortifications and vast panorama, the Grand Harbour is Malta’s principal maritime gateway and a popular port-of-call for ships that are cruising the Med.

What's Included
  • Free Wi-Fi on the boat
  • Sightseeing cruise
  • Audio commentary in English and German over a PA system
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Guide
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

This 90-minute scenic cruise is the perfect introduction to the city of Valletta, the capital city of Malta, and its surroundings.

Cruise in comfort on board our eco-friendly, fully air-conditioned, state-of-the-art, 20-metre Catamaran.

Join us on this scenic cruise to relive Malta’s gallant history, cruising around Malta’s two natural harbours on either side of our capital city of Valletta, the Marsamxett Harbour and the majestic Valletta Grand Harbour, where you will experience the past and view the magnificent forts, battlements, and creeks situated around Valletta and the Three Cities.

Listen to the audio commentary to uncover the history of Valletta, the Three Cities, and their surrounding locations.

Free Wi-Fi and a cash bar offering snacks and drinks are available on board.

  • Not recommended for travellers who are prone to sea sickness.
Location
Sliema Promenade
Tower Road
The cruise departs from Sliema Ferries, Triq Ix-Xatt, Sliema. The departure location is in the area between the 'Ferries 1' bus stop and the 'Ferries 2' bus stop. When you arrive at this location, you need to look for the red boat.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
1.5
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Departure671678
Sep 30, 2024
Very poor - Nice to be on boat in grand harbour but audio very brief, could not hear what he said when he did speak, gave very little history - dreadful guide - lucky the view was good, rest was awful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephen_b
Sep 24, 2024
Did not go - Due to rain storm did not go. Please refund my tickets. Due to rain storm not able to go. Please refund tickets. Thank you!
Review provided by Viator
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1 Adult
October 2024
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