Valletta Harbour Cruise from Sliema: Grand Harbour & Three Cities
The Grand Harbour holds two thousand years of maritime history in a single stretch of water.
A 90-minute harbour cruise from Sliema aboard a 20-metre air-conditioned catamaran through Malta's two natural harbours: Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour. You sail past Valletta's imposing fortifications, the Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua), and Fort St. Angelo while a live commentary in English and German recounts the Great Sieges of 1565 and 1942 and other landmarks that shaped the island's past. The boat departs from Sliema Ferries on the promenade and returns to the same point.
Step-by-step itinerary
Scenic harbour cruise around Valletta
- Depart from Sliema Ferries
- Cruise through Sliema Creek
- Pass Manoel Island
- Pass through Lazzaretto Creek
- Pass Manoel Island Yacht Marina
- Pass battlements around Floriana
- Pass battlements around Valletta
- Pass Valletta Grand Harbour
- Pass Marsamxett Harbour
- Pass Fort St. Angelo
- Pass Cospicua in the Three Cities
- Pass Senglea in the Three Cities
- Pass Kalkara Creek
- Pass French and Dockyard Creeks
- Pass Vittoriosa in the Three Cities
What’s included
- Sightseeing scenic cruise through both Marsamxett Harbour and the Grand Harbour.
- assistance by crew and staff throughout the journey.
- free Wi-Fi on the boat.
- live English and German commentary over the P.A. system.
- Every day 10:30 12:30 14:45
Information
Cruise from Sliema through Marsamxett and Grand Harbour past Valletta's fortifications, the Three Cities, and Fort St.
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The experience
The catamaran leaves from Sliema Ferries, opposite the Pebbles Boutique Hotel on the promenade side of Triq ix-Xatt. From there you cruise through Sliema Creek (a busy waterway where you'll see harbour traffic constantly moving), and then pass Manoel Island, a small flat-topped island in the middle of Marsamxett Harbour built around a fort from the 1720s. The route takes you past the Manoel Island Yacht Marina, where Valletta's fortress rises in the background, and then along the battlements and fortifications that ring both Floriana and Valletta itself.
The heart of the cruise is the Grand Harbour, one of the world's most spectacular natural ports. You pass Fort St. Angelo, a bastioned fort at the centre of the harbour that served as the Order of Saint John's headquarters during the 1565 Great Siege, and then sail along the Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua), whose palaces, churches, and forts predate Valletta by centuries. The commentary explains how these cities have sheltered settlers since Phoenician times and how their harbours have been both a living and a vulnerability through Malta's wars. You'll also see Kalkara Creek, a sheltered inlet, and the French and Dockyard Creeks, where large ships anchor and Malta Shipyards operates one of the Mediterranean's largest commercial yards.
The boat is fully air-conditioned and carries free Wi-Fi. The crew is on hand throughout. Live commentary in English and German plays over the P.A. system. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early at the red iSeeMalta boat on the promenade. If you can't find it, red ticketing kiosks along the waterfront can point you to it. The experience is not recommended for travellers prone to seasickness, and pets and large luggage are not permitted aboard.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is Fort St. Angelo and why does it matter to Malta's history?
Fort St. Angelo stands at the centre of the Grand Harbour in Birgu and was originally built as a medieval castle called Castrum Maris. The Order of Saint John rebuilt it as a bastioned fort between the 1530s and 1560s, and it served as their headquarters during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, one of the most pivotal moments in the island's past.
Can I see the Three Cities on this cruise, and what makes them historically important?
Yes, you sail past all three: Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. Together they are known as the Three Cities and are considered the cradle of Maltese history. Their harbours have been in use since Phoenician times, and their palaces, churches, forts, and bastions are older than Valletta's, making them home to nearly every person and power that has settled on the islands.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my cruise?
If the trip is cancelled due to poor weather, sea conditions, or strong winds, you will be offered the option to reschedule to another date. If you cannot reschedule, you will receive a full refund.
Is the boat accessible for people with mobility needs?
Yes, the boat is wheelchair accessible. Specialized infant seats are available if you're travelling with small children, and infants and small children can also ride in a pram or stroller. The boat is suitable for all physical fitness levels.
Where exactly do I board, and how do I find the boat?
The boat departs from Sliema Ferries on the promenade side of Triq ix-Xatt, in the area opposite the Pebbles Boutique Hotel. Look for the red iSeeMalta boat. If you need help locating it, approach any of the red ticketing kiosks or booths along the promenade. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Operated by Robert Arrigo & Sons. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Valletta Harbour Cruise from Sliema: Grand Harbour & Three Cities
1h 30m · EN · DE
from € 20 per person
≈ US$ 22 in your currency
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