Best Things to Do in Valletta, Malta on a Cruise Day

Table Of Content

• Malta
• What Language Do They Speak in Malta?
• Cruise Terminal Facilities
• Malta's Valletta Cruise Port achieves historic shore power success with Viking Saturn and Venus
• Valletta Palace Square
• MSC Cruises achieves milestone with first Mediterranean shore power facility for World Europa ship
• Tours to Gozo and Comino

Housed in the 18th-century knight’s palace, the museum showcases medieval to contemporary masterpieces of local Maltese and Baroque art. A Wi-Fi link from the Magazino Hall to the ship allows for simultaneous onboard registration and check-in. The facilities are easily capable of processing a minimum of 500 guests per hour.

Valletta Cruise Port hosts record five cruise ships in one day - Cruise and Ferry

Valletta Cruise Port hosts record five cruise ships in one day.

Posted: Sat, 22 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Malta

A fast-ferry service Mgarr/Gozo-Valletta is provided by two companies - Gozo Fast Ferry, and Virtu Ferries. Both operators offer 45-min crossings via high-speed catamaran ferries with max passenger capacity 300. Valletta Malta is also the port of registry/flag state for many cruise vessels including riverboats. The Valletta Cruise Port is a subsidiary company of Global Ports Holding. In December 2023, Valletta Cruise Port officially started to provide shore-side power supply to berthed vessels.

What Language Do They Speak in Malta?

This dock offers great facilities like a bars, restaurants, shops and transportation booths. You will find all you need for a great start of the day in port at the cruise terminal. To walk to the historical city center you simply turn right when you exit the port and take the elevator up to the old town. Read the full Valletta cruise port guide for all the information. Cruise ships typically dock at the Valletta Waterfront Cruise Terminal in Valletta, Malta.

Cruise Terminal Facilities

Nestled at the tip of the peninsula, Gardjola Gardens offer by far the most spectacular views of the Grand Harbour and the entire city of Valletta. Cospicua is the largest of the three cities and has been reconstructed several times throughout its turbulent yet rich history. The top-rated landmarks include Immaculate Conception Church and Cottonera Lines, the 17th-century fortifications surrounding the city.

Malta's Valletta Cruise Port achieves historic shore power success with Viking Saturn and Venus

Life on Malta dates back over 5,000 years to around 3000 BCE. Ancient temple ruins dot the island and may be seen from some of the roads. Shore excursions can take you around the island to view many of these megalithic sights as well as include a visit to Mdina, the historic Old Town of Malta. In the center of the island of Malta, this medieval walled town has only 300 inhabitants. For 2023, the Port reported ~65% increase (over 2022) in handled passenger movements (~900,000). The industry contributed ~EUR 85 million to the Maltese economy, of which EUR 32M in cruise tourists spending and EUR 53M in cruise lines spending.

Season's highlights included Seabourn Ovation's christening ceremony (held here on May 11).

Other options are getting a rental car and checking out the island by yourself or exploring Valletta on foot. To sum it up, you have four choices on how to spend your 1 day in Malta on a cruise. You can either book a boat trip to the islands Comino and Gozo or book a full-island short excursion. Once you’re inside the caves, the way the light plays on the water is beautiful. The Dingli Cliffs in Malta are definitely worth visiting on your shore excursion. High cliffs drop into the deep blue sea creating a stunning scene.

MSC World Europa draws shore power in the Mediterranean - Seatrade Cruise News

MSC World Europa draws shore power in the Mediterranean.

Posted: Mon, 18 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Malta Island is located midway between North Africa and Sicily Island (Italy). The other Malta cruise port is Mgarr Harbour (on Gozo Island). Transportation By foot, taxi, public transport or hop on hop off bus. It is up to you how to spend your day and what form of transportation would suit that.

The restaurant regularly receives rave reviews, and its aim is to revitalize classic Mediterranean dishes in new, exciting ways. You’ll find no shortage of creativity—like local rabbit with a roasted garlic puree, slow-cooked octopus tagine, or chocolate and orange mousse—on the menu at Noni. The Valletta waterfront is rarely crowded and always atmospheric. Take a stroll down the promenade, where many of the warehouse buildings have been repurposed, and grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants on the Marsamxett Harbor. Next to the Grandmaster’s Palace, you can visit Casa Rocca Piccola, the 16th-century palace which belonged to a noble Maltese family. The palace operates as a museum and you can visit dozens of lavishly decorated rooms from that period.

While the island is generally considered safe, there is always a danger of road accidents and water sports accidents. EKTA is my travel insurance of choice – worldwide coverage, no hidden fees or clauses and amazing 24/7 service. The Upper Barrakka Gardens are one of my favorite places in Valletta. They are easy to reach from the cruise port, only a couple of steps away.

Situated 12 km/7.5 miles (a 20-minute drive) west of Valletta cruise port, the ancient Mdina is the former capital of Malta. This historic hilltop settlement is also known as the Silent City, nicknamed after the capital was moved out of Mdina to Valletta after the Great Siege of Malta in the 16th century. The city cannot be accessed by car, but parking is available in front of the entrance to the walled city. Upon exiting the cruise terminal, you’ll spot the bustling promenade lined with restaurants and cafes, including Hard Rock Cafe and Starbucks. Also known as Pinto Wharf, the Valletta Waterfront’s cafes and restaurants overlook the picturesque marina and stretch along the Grand Harbour.

The cruise port in 2016 reported a record year with a total of 682,222 cruisers (embarking passengers were excluded), or 2% increase over 2015. During 2016, the port was booked by 42 different cruise shipping operators and 81 different vessels. In 2016, Gozo Island received 19 cruise ship calls and around 7,000 passengers. Valletta is the principal seaport and capital city of Malta (island country in the central Mediterranean Sea, southern Europe).

The central shopping area in Valletta is located inside the walls, along Republic and Merchant Streets. Valletta, the capital of the small independent island of Malta, is one of three islands in the Maltese Archipelago. Located in the western Mediterranean, Malta is only 52 miles south of Sicily.

This allows visitors to make the most of their time in Valletta, immersing themselves in the city’s history and culture without wasting precious moments on transportation. Taxis are a popular mode of transportation for tourists, and you’ll find taxis outside City Gate in Valletta. Taxis tend to have specific spots where they post up and will wait for passengers.

Whichever mode of transportation you choose, arriving in Valletta promises to be a memorable experience filled with anticipation and excitement. Once you reach this captivating city, get ready to immerse yourself in its history, culture, and beauty. Aside from Valletta, Mdina is the most scenic spot on the island. This 6000 year old town is nowadays mainly known for being the fortified silent city. It has a labyrinth of little streets and there is always something new to find around every corner. In 2012 a new elevator opened up, linking the Grand Harbor to the Upper Barrakka Gardens and Valletta city center.