VALLETTA CRUISE PORT: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Valletta is one of the easiest cruise ports in Europe to arrive to. And it has potential to offer a very rewarding visit to the city. Everything is close, the city is compact, and you can see a lot in just a few hours without needing to plan too much in advance.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about visiting Valletta on a cruise, based on our time exploring the city ourselves. From how to get into the city, to what to see, eat, and do once you’re there.
Where do cruise ships arrive in Valletta?
The cruise port in Valletta, the capital of Malta, is super close to the edge of the city. It’s actually a quite a pretty port (as far as cruise ports go), called “The Valletta Waterfront.”
Within the port area, you can find modern restaurants, including Hard Rock Cafe Malta, a bit of a tourist favourite.
Strategically, this is a really advantageous location to arrive. From here, you are not only close to the capital of Malta, but well connected for transport links to the wider island too.
Can you walk into Valletta from the cruise port?
In short – yes. You can easily walk from Valletta cruise port into the city.
To give you an idea, Upper Barrakka gardens are less than 20 minutes walk. From here, you are able to continue to explore the city easily by foot. You can take the ‘Barrakka lift’, straight up to the gardens.
You can be at the ferry terminal to take a short ferry to the Three Cities, within 10 minutes of walking from the cruise port. And, a short 9 minute walk will take you to the Gozo Fast Ferry terminal. Whilst the main Valletta bus station is 18 minutes away on foot from the port.
Things to do in Valletta
If you’re arriving by cruise, you’re in a really strong position. Valletta is compact, easy to navigate, and full of history, viewpoints, and good food, all within walking distance of the port.
You could easily fill a full day here without needing transport, and still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface.
Here are some of the best things to do.
1/ Walk ‘the ditch’
Before heading into the city proper, take a walk around Valletta’s impressive fortifications. The ditch that surrounds the city walls gives you a real sense of just how well defended the capital once was.
It’s also far less crowded than the main streets, so it’s a good place to go if you want to de-compress after coming ashore.
2/ Visit St John’s Cathedral
This is the standout sight in Valletta, and one of those places that really surprises people.
From the outside, it’s quite plain. Step inside though, and it’s a completely different story. The interior is covered in gold detailing, painted ceilings, and richly decorated chapels.
It’s also home to one of the most famous works by Caravaggio (The Beheading of St John the Baptist’ and ‘St Jerome Writing’), which adds another bit of interest to the visit. For anyone particularly keen to learn more, the Caravaggio wing of the museum has a docu-drama about the artist’s somewhat tumultuous life on Malta.
Give yourself a bit of time here. It’s not somewhere you want to rush. And tickets cost €15, so you’ll want to get your money’s worth.
Tip: Another church worth exploring is Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
3/ Find a happy hour
Malta has quite a heavy Italian influence. You’ll notice that people say “Grazzi” for thank you. And one of the more obvious ways that this influence shows up, is in the food and drink. In fact, I challenge you to walk 100m in Valletta without seeing someone drinking an Aperol Spritz!
One of the best things about Aperol here, is that it’s often on a happy hour deal. Hurrah.
Try Cafe Society Valletta, Sally Port Pizzeria, La Bottega or Indigo Lounge and Rooftop Bar for a combination of deals and ambience.
4/ Try pastizzi
This is the snack you’ll see locals picking up throughout the day.
Pastizzi are small, flaky pastries usually filled with ricotta or mushy peas. They’re cheap, quick, and surprisingly moreish. We spent three weeks exploring Malta and I lost count of how many I ate (somewhere in excess of 20).
You will find these everywhere in Valletta, it’s best to gravitate towards a small hole in the walk type bakery.
5/ Take a harbour cruise
As you arrive into Valletta on your cruise ship, you might catch a glimpse of various harbours around the city. But to see them properly, a smaller vessel is required!
One of the most popular activities in Valletta is to take a boat cruise around the harbour. It’s one of the best ways to see Marsamxett and Grand Harbours, as well to catch views of the Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua.
This well reviewed boat cruise costs €20 per person for 75 minutes aboard.
Tip: As an alternative, you can take a short public ferry to the Three Cities (more on that here.)
6/ Upper Barraka Gardens
This is one of the most popular viewpoints in Valletta. From here, you get wide open views across the Grand Harbour and over to the Three Cities. If you time it right, you can also watch the cannon firing from the Saluting Battery below.
7/ Lower Barraka Gardens
On days when cruise ships are in port, Upper Barraka Gardens can become a bit hectic. If that’s the case, head to Lower Barraka – they’re smaller and less well known. You’ll still get lovely sea views, along with a more relaxed atmosphere.
8/ Seek out Valletta’s history
Valletta is a city with big landmarks, but it also hides history in the smaller details. For example, you’ll find a British style red post box on Pjazza Indipendenza. Or the Christ the King statue at the entrance to he old town.
If you want a deeper understanding of what you’re seeing, a walking tour may well be worth it.
9/ Take a food tour
If you want to combine sightseeing with eating, this is a great option.
Food tours usually take you through different parts of Valletta while introducing you to local dishes, snacks, and drinks along the way. You’ll try things you might not otherwise order and get a bit more context around Maltese cuisine.
This food tour includes 4+ food stops and a drink, with a local guide.
10/ Walk to Silema
If Valletta feels historic, Silema is a total contrast. It is an example of modern Malta, with high rise buildings and snazzy coffee shops. There are also some swimming spots (although not beaches.)
The walk between Valletta and Silema is an easy one, taking around 90 minutes (it’s approximately 4 miles). You can hug the coast for most of the route, expect in Ta’ Xbiex, where you must cross the peninsula rather than walking the perimeter.
Tip: There’s a short ferry service back, it takes 15 minutes and runs every 30 minutes. Costing around €2.
11/ Visit Fort St Elmo
Right at the tip of the peninsula, this fort played a key role in Malta’s history, particularly during the Great Siege.
Today, it houses the National War Museum. Even if you’re not a huge museum person, the location alone makes it worth visiting. The views out to sea are some of the best in Valletta.
It costs €10 to enter, but most visitors report that they spend at least two hours there.
12/ Peek inside an historic house
Casa Rocca Piccola is a palace and ancestral home in the heart of Valletta. Today it remains a privately owned house, open to the public as a museum. Inside it is intricate and is best seen with a guided tour – these can be booked in advance for €13 and last 45 minutes.
13/ See Tritons’ Fountain
Just outside the city gate, this is one of the first things you’ll see as you approach Valletta.
It’s recently been restored and makes a good meeting point or landmark to get your bearings. It’s quite mesmerizing in it’s own way.
14/ Meander around Argotti Botanic Gardens
Argotti Botanic Gardens were recommended to us by a friend – a small garden which is part of the University of Malta. It’s an ideal place for plant enthusiasts to visit for a bit of peace and quiet.
Unfortunately, the opening hours are quite limited – typically it is open just for 90 minutes on a Thursday morning. Consequently, we missed out. But if you’re keen and your schedule coincides, do go along.
If it’s not open you can walk around Outer Argotti, which we found to be quite pretty (and it’s free to enter).
15/ Wine Tasting
In many wine bars in Malta you can find a nice selection if international (mostly Italian) and Maltese wines. If you prefer something a little more involved, you can book a wine tasting in the city.
Koccio Valletta is a wine bar located on one of my favourite streets, Santa Lucia. They offer a wine tasting experience, complete with picky bits like cheese and meat. Find the full details here. Alternatively, just pop by Koccio for a glass!
16/ Visit MUŻA
This is Malta’s national art museum, housed in a historic building.
It’s a good option if you want something indoors, especially during the hotter part of the day. The collection mixes Maltese and European works, and the space itself is worth seeing (€10 entry.)
Tip: If modern art is more your thing, consider visiting MICAS (a little way out of the old town), which focuses on contemporary exhibitions (€10 entry.)
17/ Go for a swim
Despite being surrounded by water, Valletta isn’t really the place to swim in Malta. You can find our guide to the best beaches and swimming spots here.
That said, you can find a few spots close by if you are desperate to feel the cool water on your skin, but don’t want to go too far.
The first option is the natural pool around St Elmo Bay. You’ll find this to the north of Fort St Elmo, just off Boat Street.
Another is to walk or take a ferry to Silema. Once again, you won’t find beaches here, but there are some charming Victorian Baths on the water.
18/ Just explore
I know its a bit of a cliché, but Valletta really is one of those cities where it’s best to just walk without any real plan. Pause for refreshment and then roam again. The way the city is laid out (almost like a grid system) prevents you from becoming too lost.
What to do if you have an overnight in Valletta
If you are lucky enough to be spending a night in Valletta cruise port, first things first – get out of the port! I know it can be tempting to spend time just outside the ship, but honestly, you will find much more authentic atmosphere (and better happy hour deals), in the older part of the city.
An easy stroll will take you to Strait Street – ideal for a few drinks and people watching. One of the prettiest streets in Valletta for drinks is St. Lucia’s Street – bars are set over steps and it’s just divine in the evening.
If you’re a bit more budget conscious and also keen to get away from crowds, Sally Port Pizzeria has excellent happy hour deals – whilst it’s predominately a pizzeria, you can definitely come here just for aperitivo (if you want to eat once you get back on the ship.) Merchant Street also has some competitive happy hour deals.
Exploring Malta beyond Valletta
Malta is one of the best islands to cruise to in Europe in my opinion (it’s one of the best islands full stop.) It’s small enough and the transport well connected enough that you can really spread your wings beyond the capital and explore the island, even if you have to be back to the ship for sail away!
In this guide – here – you can find our top tips and recommendations for exploring Malta, beyond the Valletta.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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