The Grand Harbour is the reason Malta mattered to every power that ever held it, and the best way to grasp that is from a boat. This classic cruise leaves from the Sliema Ferries waterfront and loops through both of Valletta’s natural harbours in about ninety minutes. First comes Marsamxett, with Manoel Island and its star-shaped fort on one side and Valletta’s western walls on the other; then the boat rounds Fort St Elmo at the tip of the peninsula and enters the Grand Harbour itself. Here the scale of the defences becomes clear: towering bastions rising straight out of the water, Fort St Angelo on Birgu’s point, and the creeks between the Three Cities where galleys and later warships were built and repaired. A live English-speaking guide narrates the history from the Great Siege to the Second World War convoys, and there is a bar on board.
Boats run daily from the Sliema Ferries area, with several departures through the day and a shorter schedule on Sundays; check the booking calendar for exact times. Seating is open deck and covered, and in summer the top deck is hot at midday, so a morning or late-afternoon sailing is the more comfortable choice. In winter the harbour is usually calm enough to sail, but rough weather can cancel trips.
Book it early in the trip, after the Valletta walking tour, and you will spend the rest of the week recognising forts from the land. Sliema is easy to reach from Valletta by the short Sliema ferry across Marsamxett, which makes a neat round trip.
What to expect
The experience
A narrated 90-minute boat cruise around Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour from Sliema.
Best time
Morning or late afternoon for softer light and less heat.
How long
Ninety minutes.
Tips
Sit on the right side heading out for the Valletta walls, and take the Sliema ferry from Valletta to reach the departure point.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Understanding Malta’s fortifications without climbing them.
- Families
- Excellent; short, seated, and full of forts and ships.
- Couples
- Pair a late-afternoon sailing with sunset drinks on the Sliema front.
- Pair with
- The Three Cities and the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
- Time needed
- Two hours including the walk to the boat.
Good questions
Where does the cruise leave from?+
From the Sliema Ferries waterfront in Sliema, across Marsamxett Harbour from Valletta.
How long is it?+
About ninety minutes, covering both Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour.
Is there commentary?+
Yes, a live English-speaking guide narrates the cruise.
Does it run in winter?+
Yes, daily, though rough seas can occasionally cancel sailings.
Is it suitable for children?+
Very; it is short, seated and visually exciting.