Malta · THREE CITIES TOURS
Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua sat behind their walls before Valletta existed, and they are still the quiet side of the harbour. The 15 below differ on how you cross, how much is walked and whether the boat leg is included.
Set out from Sliema on a 90-minute, air-conditioned catamaran cruise around Marsamxett Harbour and the Grand Harbour. You’ll see Valletta, Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua from the water, with live commentary in English and German, Wi-Fi, and a cash bar.
“Nice comfortable trip with lots to see and experience”
Cruise Malta’s Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour for about 90 minutes aboard an air-conditioned catamaran with live commentary. You’ll view Valletta, Fort St. Elmo, Fort Manoel, Fort St. Angelo, and the Three Cities from the water, with a possible Esplora stop when sea conditions allow.
“Good value cruise. Does what it says on the tin. Great way yo see the harbour. Would happily recommend”
Meet your English-speaking guide at the Cospicua ferry landing and walk through Senglea, Bormla, and Birgu in 2.5 hours. Expect harbor views, Knights’ palaces, fortifications, British naval history, and a finish near St. Laurence Church. Guides including Karl, Chris, and Lorraine bring local stories to life.
“Excellent tour with Lorraine, she was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Malta, she taught us so much about the area and its history. Lovely small group on the tour too so was great to be able to ask as many questions as we wanted and had a more personal feel. Would highly recommend this tour!”
Join David at Sliema Ferries for a 90-minute ride on a 1928 wooden-bodied bus through Valletta, Gzira, Msida, Paola, and Malta’s Three Cities. Expect English commentary, photo time, a short break, and a close look at the fortifications shaped by the sieges of 1565 and 1942.
“We loved the vintage bus, it was a perfect way to see the beautiful three cities, David was warm and friendly and a brilliant guide”
Start with hotel pickup, then walk Vittoriosa’s narrow streets while learning about Senglea, Cospicua, and Malta’s wartime past. Finish at 1743 Ir-Razzett l-Antik in Qormi for three Maltese wines, local bread, cheese, dips, sausage, and other savory bites. Guides such as Mario, Mark, and Daiwa have led this tour.
“Excellent tour .. seen old three cities by walk Wine tasting experience was good Overall good experience”
Walk Birgu and Cospicua with an English-speaking guide, ride a traditional dghajsa through the harbor creeks, and visit Senglea’s Gardjola Gardens. Hotel pickup, transport, and boat fare are included. Guides vary, with Donna, Josephine, Elizabeth, and John among those praised for clear, lively commentary.
“Really well organised trip. I missed the name of our guide, but she was excellent. Very interesting tour around the cities and then a brilliant ride around the harbour in the little traditional fishing boats. Can highly recommend.”
Walk through Birgu, Malta’s oldest Three Cities quarter, with a local guide such as Matthew or Alizea. See the Couvre Porte, Collacchio, St. Lawrence Church, Fort St. Angelo, and the Inquisitor’s Palace, with entry included. The tour runs about three hours and ends near the waterfront.
“We truly enjoyed this experience! Take a walk with a small group and an engaging, personable guide who clearly enjoys her job and her city. Hear the details of the inquisition and see the terrible methods for how they got the "truth" out of people. Tour the chambers where judgments and punishments were rendered. The experience will probably make you reflect on your own system of justice today! Take a stroll and the beautiful paths of the city as this talented and enthusiastic tour guide recounts history and culture and answers questions along the way. (Thank you for answering questions about the cats of Malta!)”
Explore Birgu with an English-speaking guide, following maze-like medieval lanes from Couvre Porte to the waterfront. You’ll enter the Inquisitor’s Palace, hear about World War II, and pause at landmarks including Fort St. Angelo, St. Lawrence Church, and the Malta Maritime Museum.
“Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Relaxed pace and happy to answer questions. The best way to explore and learn about historic cities.”
Spend four hours seeing Malta by night with an English-speaking driver, including James, who shares local history, food, culture, and current life. Visit Valletta, Birgu, Mdina, and Mosta’s Rotunda, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.
“Amazing to see Malta in the evening!!! James our driver was fantastic and shared so much of his wealth of knowledge with us. He told us about the history of the places we visited as well as the overall culture, food, current events of Malta. We asked to change one of our stops as we had already been there earlier in the day and he was happy to accommodate our request. We had a great few hours and learnt so much.”
Ride a restored vintage bus through Vittoriosa, Cospicua, and Senglea with an English-speaking driver-guide. David is praised for his local stories and skill with Malta’s narrow streets. You’ll see the Cottonera Lines, Grand Harbour sights, and historic landmarks, with a short stop in Vittoriosa.
“Recently restored vintage bus from the 50s was gorgeous and the driver was very friendly . A good and convenient way to see the Three Cities in the heat!”
Meet your licensed guide at Café Riche at 8 pm for a two-hour walk through Birgu, also called Vittoriosa. Expect Maltese history, crime tales, ghost stories, nighttime views, and local legends linked to the port, old townhouses, and the Inquisitor’s Palace.
“I really enjoyed the tour. The guide was very knowledgable and his presentation was first class. I highly recommend it to those considering attending in future.”
Travel by private vehicle from Valletta to Birgu, Cospicua, and Senglea with an English-speaking driver. See St John’s Co-Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Fort St Angelo, the Inquisitor’s Palace, and Il-Gardiola Gardens. Entrance fees and food are separate.
“There were only 2 of us. We actually had a mute taxi driver, no commentary, neither historical nor otherwise. Luckily my paper guide was well done. No visit inside Valletta, very pedestrianized but that's not a scoop! We went to 2 of the 3 cities and to Medina, where he left us for an hour at the gate of the old city and went his own way. It's a deceptive service.”
Meet your guide under a red umbrella by the Cospicua ferry terminal at 10 a.m. Walk through Vittoriosa’s fortified gates, past the Inquisitor’s Palace and Knights’ auberges, then down to the harbour. Guides may include Nadine, Angele, or Visnja. The two-hour tour ends by the Freedom Day Monument.
“Our guide had all the relevant and interesting facts about the Three Cities and was very pleasant company. (In fact, earlier this year, we were lucky enough to take the Valetta tour with the same person). As well as the overall global events that sRead more”
Spend 4.5 hours with a private licensed guide in Valletta and Vittoriosa. Walk past major sights and quieter streets, then cross the Grand Harbour by traditional gondola or ferry. Guides such as Nadine and Visnja bring the Knights’ story to life in English, French, German, or Italian.
“Our walking tour with Nadine was excellent. Her in-depth knowledge about the history on the tour, and every question we asked, was extraordinary. My partner and I left the tour feeling so more knowledgeable about the Knights, the churches and areas we visited on the tour. Highly recommend this personal tour.”
Walk through Vittoriosa, also called Birgu, with a private English-speaking guide. See the Inquisitor’s Palace, Knights’ quarters, churches, waterfront, Maritime Museum, and Fort St. Angelo while learning how Malta’s past shaped the Three Cities.
“The Birgu ghost tour organised by Colour My Travel was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The guides were enthusiastic, welcoming, and impressively knowledgeable, weaving fascinating stories about Birgu’s haunted past and dark history that kept everyone mesmerized throughout the evening. Their storytelling made Birgu’s streets and historical landmarks come alive, blending chilling legends with authentic local details. The tour struck a perfect balance between being informative and entertaining, and the guides were always happy to answer questions and share extra tidbits between stops, making the night both educational and great fun for all in our group.”
Pick a harbour, a walled city or a boat.
