Best for Harbour Views
Two Harbours Cruise
Fortress walls from the water — Malta's two great harbours seen the way the Knights saw them.
Why we recommend it
No other excursion in the collection shows Valletta's fortifications from this angle, and its short length makes it an easy add-on for passengers on a shorter call.
The Two Harbours Cruise is the simplest, shortest item in this collection: a boat trip around Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour that puts Valletta's bastions and the Three Cities' waterfront in a perspective no walking tour can match. At 90 minutes, it's an easy addition to a longer day rather than a full excursion in itself.
Valletta occupies a narrow peninsula between two natural harbours, and its fortifications were designed to be seen — and feared — from the water. A short cruise around both harbours puts you at the vantage point the city's 16th-century engineers actually planned for, looking up at bastion walls that are far harder to appreciate at street level.
Grand Harbour side gives views of the Three Cities across the water — Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua — alongside the working harbour itself, still used by commercial shipping and naval vessels. Marsamxett Harbour, on the other side of the peninsula, offers a quieter, more residential outlook towards Sliema and Manoel Island.
Because the boat does the work, this is about as easy-going as a Malta excursion gets — there's no walking itinerary to keep up with and no fortress steps to climb. It suits travellers who want a scenic, photogenic outing without committing significant time or energy to it.
We haven't verified that this product departs directly from the cruise terminal itself, so don't assume a walk-on option without checking the supplier's confirmed meeting point. Its short length also makes it a natural pairing with a Valletta walking element — either before or after, on the same day.
Cruise-day suitability
- Easy to combine with Valletta
Highlights
- Views of Valletta's bastions from the water
- Grand Harbour and the Three Cities waterfront
- Marsamxett Harbour and Sliema outlook
- A relaxed, low-effort 90-minute outing
What a good tour includes
- Boat cruise around Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour
- Harbour commentary as provided by the operator
Getting there from the cruise port
Meeting points are published on the supplier confirmation. Cruise ships normally dock beside Valletta; exact berth and walk times can vary. Allow sufficient return time to your ship.
Tips for cruise passengers
- Don't assume this leaves directly from the cruise terminal — confirm the exact departure point on your booking voucher
- Bring a hat and sun protection; there's little shade on the water
- Pair it with a Valletta walk on the same day rather than treating it as a standalone outing
- Check current price and departure times on the supplier listing
Ready to book?
Prices and availability are set and confirmed by the supplier — check the current price before booking.
Check current price and availability on the supplier's site.
Related excursions
Snapshot of Malta
Two capitals, one guided day — the walled silence of Mdina and the fortress streets of Valletta, back to back.
The Three Cities
Fortress towns across the water — where the Knights of St John lived before Valletta existed.
Malta Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Your own itinerary, your own pace — a full day's ticket to move around Malta on your own terms.
Two Harbours Cruise — FAQs
Does the boat leave from right beside the cruise terminal?▼
That isn't confirmed in the supplier's published details, so check your exact departure point rather than assuming a direct walk-on from the ship.
Is this enough to fill a port day on its own?▼
No — at 90 minutes it's best treated as an addition to a longer day in Valletta or the Three Cities, not a full excursion by itself.
Is it suitable for passengers who can't manage much walking?▼
Yes, this is one of the easiest options in the collection since the sightseeing happens from your seat on the boat.
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