Valletta Harbour Cruise: Grand & Marsamxett Harbours with Fort History

Two Harbours, Two Sieges, One Boat from Sliema

You board at Sliema ferry and spend the afternoon on the water, passing Fort St Elmo, the 3 Cities, and Fort St Angelo while a guide explains the 1565 and 1942 sieges and other harbour landmarks. The boat does the navigation. You get the views and the history without arranging transport or timing yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Valletta Harbour Cruise sightseeing

• Start cruise at Sliema ferry
• Pass by Ta Xbiex
• Pass by St Paul’s Anglican Pro Cathedral
• Pass by Fort St Elmo
• Pass by Valletta Waterfront and cruise terminal
• Pass by Senglea city
• Pass by Vittoriosa city
• Pass by Fort St Angelo
• Pass by Fort Ricasoli
• Return to Sliema ferry

The experience

"So we're actually going to see Fort St Elmo from the water?" That's the question most people ask before boarding at Sliema ferry, and the answer is yes, but it's only the start. The Valletta harbour cruise loops through Marsamxett and Grand Harbours, the two largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, and the boat does the work of getting you close to things you can't see properly from land. You pass Ta Xbiex, St Paul's Anglican Pro Cathedral, and then the real draw: Fort St Elmo sitting at the tip of Valletta, where the 1565 Great Siege happened. The guide talks through the history as you move, so you're not just looking at stone. You're hearing why it matters.

The route takes you past Senglea and Vittoriosa, two of the three old cities, and then Fort St Angelo in Birgu, where the Knights of Malta held their ground. Fort Ricasoli comes into view after that. It's the kind of tour where the commentary does the heavy lifting, because these forts and creeks tell a story that only makes sense when you know what happened in 1565 and again in 1942. The boat stays in the water the whole time, so you're seeing the harbours the way they were meant to be understood, from the sea, not from a street corner. The Valletta Waterfront slides past too, with the cruise liner terminal, and you get a sense of how the city sits between these two working harbours.

The whole thing starts and finishes at Sliema ferry, so there's no scrambling to find a different dock or wondering where to go next. You're back where you started, and the harbour is still there if you want to walk along it afterward. Public transport is nearby if you need it, and the boat works for all fitness levels. You're sitting the whole time.

What’s included

Your cruise includes the full boat trip around Marsamxett and Grand Harbours, detailed English-language commentary covering the history of the 1565 and 1942 sieges and other landmarks, and transport to and from Sliema ferry.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 10:30, the last at 16:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 70

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Luzzu Cruises

Is this one for you?Right for anyone wanting to understand Valletta's forts and harbour history without walking or arranging separate transport. The boat gets you close to things land tours can't reach, and the guide handles the storytelling. Expect to be on the water the whole time, which is exactly what makes the views and the history click into place.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): 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's included in the cruise?

The boat trip around Marsamxett and Grand Harbours, English-language commentary on the sieges and landmarks, and pickup and drop-off at Sliema ferry.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed on board.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

No, it's suitable for all fitness levels. You sit on the boat the entire time.

Where does the cruise depart from?

Sliema ferry, Ferries 4. The cruise starts and finishes at the same location.

Will I see Fort St Elmo?

Yes, you pass by Fort St Elmo at the tip of Valletta, where the 1565 Great Siege took place.

Is there public transport near the departure point?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby Sliema ferry.

What are the 3 Cities mentioned?

Senglea, Vittoriosa (also called Birgu), and Cospicua. You pass by Senglea and Vittoriosa during the cruise.