Afternoon Harbours Cruise and Free Time in Sliema incl. Transfers

3 h 15 min Free cancellation

Afternoon Harbours Cruise and Free Time in Sliema incl. Transfers, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Join us on this boat trip to relive Malta’s valiant history as we cruise along the stunning natural harbours flanking Valletta: the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour, as well as the three fortified cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua.

Both harbours have played a key role in Malta’s rich past. During the cruise, you’ll take in magnificent forts, battlements, and creeks surrounding Valletta, enjoying unique views of the city and the beautiful Maltese coastline while gliding through the clear Mediterranean waters. It’s the perfect chance to admire Valletta from a new perspective and capture memorable photos of its breath-taking scenery.

At the end of the cruise, you will disembark at Sliema Ferries, where you’ll have about 1½ hours of free time to stroll along Sliema’s bustling shopping area and promenade. You can browse the many outlets, relax in one of the cafés or restaurants, or simply enjoy the lively seaside atmosphere.

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At a glance

Duration: 3 h 15 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 52 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: German, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Operated by: Robert Arrigo & Sons

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: A scenic boat cruise through Valletta’s Grand Harbour and the Three Fortified Cities
Included: Some free time at Sliema's main shopping area and promenade
Included: Pick-up and drop-off transfers (choose your preferred location from one of our meeting points)
Included: Licenced tour guide
Included: All transportation in air-conditioned vehicles

Not included

Not included: Food and drinks
Not included: Gratuities (optional)

Itinerary

Sliema Promenade

Passing by

We depart from Sliema Ferries and cruise through Sliema Creek.

Sliema Creek is a very busy waterway, with harbour cruise boats operating from it that are constantly plying in and out with tourists. The advantage of mooring on this jetty is that it's located at the centre of Sliema, a very busy area with all kinds of shops, restaurants, bars, etc., which is a short walk from the jetty; therefore, before or after the trip, one can enjoy a walk along the beautiful promenade, have a meal or a coffee in the many eateries in the area, or browse through the many shops located at the centre of Sliema.
Manoel Island

Passing by

Passing by Manoel Island.

Manoel Island, formerly known as Bishop's Island or the Isolotto, is a small island that forms part of the municipality of Gżira in Marsamxett Harbour, Malta. It is named after the Portuguese Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena, who built a fort on the island in the 1720s.

Manoel Island is a low, rather flat hill, shaped roughly like a leaf. It is located in the middle of Marsamxett Harbour, with Lazzaretto Creek to its south and Sliema Creek to its north. The island is connected to mainland Malta by a bridge. The whole island can be viewed from the bastions of the capital, Valletta.
Lazzaretto Of Manoel Island

Passing by

Passing through Lazzaretto Creek.

The Lazzaretto is a former quarantine facility and hospital on Manoel Island. It is a complex of various buildings dating back to the 17th and 19th centuries. Most of the structures still exist, although they are in a bad state due to damage sustained during World War II and over 30 years of abandonment. It is planned that the Lazzaretto be restored.
Manoel Island Yacht Marina

Passing by

Passing by the beautiful Manoel Island Yacht Marina.

This marina is centrally located in Gzira, on the south coast of Manoel Island, and is part of Manoel Island Yard. The marina It provides very well-protected pontoons, so skippers can anchor safely regardless of the NE winds.

With the capital city, Valletta, in the background, this marina is an amazingly beautiful mooring and is the perfect location to go anywhere on the island. You can enjoy a really fascinating view of Valletta’s huge fortress and a variety of beautiful buildings with spectacular architecture.
Floriana

Passing by

Passing by the battlements and imposing fortifications surrounding Floriana.
Valletta

Passing by

Passing by the battlements and imposing fortifications surrounding Valletta.
Grand Harbour

Passing by

Passing by the imposing Valletta Grand Harbour.

Malta’s majestic Grand Harbour is one of the most spectacular ports in the world. A wide stretch of water separating the capital city of Valletta from the historic towns of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua, the harbour has been a hive of activity for over two thousand years. With its imposing fortifications and vast panorama, the Grand Harbour is Malta’s principal maritime gateway and a popular port-of-call for ships that are cruising the Med.
Marsamxett

Passing by

Passing by the Marsamxett Harbour.

Marsamxett Harbour, historically also referred to as Marsamuscetto, is a natural harbour located to the north of the larger Grand Harbour. The harbour is generally more dedicated to leisure use than the Grand Harbour.
Fort St Angelo

Passing by

Passing by Fort St. Angelo.

A bastioned fort in Birgu, Fort St. Angelo, is located at the centre of the Grand Harbour. It was originally built in the mediaeval period as a castle called Castrum Maris. It was rebuilt by the Order of Saint John as a bastioned fort called Fort Saint Angelo between the 1530s and the 1560s, and it is best known for its role as the Order's headquarters during the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.
Cospicua (Bormla)

Passing by

Passing by Cospicua, one of the fortified cities that make up the popular historical area known as the Three Cities.

The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea. These cities can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history, as Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua have provided a home and fortress to almost every person who settled on the islands.

Their harbour inlets have been in use since Phoenician times, with the docks always providing a living for local people but also leaving them vulnerable when Malta’s rulers were at war. As the first home to the Knights of St. John, the Three Cities’ palaces, churches, forts, and bastions are far older than Valletta’s.
Senglea

Passing by

Passing by Senglea, one of the fortified cities that make up the popular historical area known as the Three Cities.

The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea. These cities can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history, as Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua have provided a home and fortress to almost every person who settled on the islands.

Their harbour inlets have been in use since Phoenician times, with the docks always providing a living for local people but also leaving them vulnerable when Malta’s rulers were at war. As the first home to the Knights of St. John, the Three Cities’ palaces, churches, forts, and bastions are far older than Valletta’s.
Kalkara

Passing by

Passing by Kalkara Creek.

Kalkara Creek was sometimes also called 'English Creek’. It is a well-known sheltered inlet for various fishermen’s and oarsman’s boats, but it is exposed to the northeast wind. The shore, sheltered and with remarkable views, was enlarged several times, including the present development done in the 1950s.
Stop 13

Passing by

Passing through the French and the Dockyard Creeks.

This is the fourth creek to port side on entering Grand Harbour. Large ships are normally anchored in this creek, waiting to enter drydocks. Malta Shipyards is one of the largest commercial yards in the Mediterranean. Within Malta Shipyards is a Super Yacht section, where a covered drydock is very popular for Super Yacht refits and repairs. A constant number of Super Yachts are refitted here every year. At the extreme inner end of Grand Harbour, there are two other yards; one has a floating dock for yachts up to 500 tonnes, and the other has both a slipway and a floating dock.
Birgu (Vittoriosa)

Passing by

Passing by Vittoriosa, one of the fortified cities that make up the popular historical area known as the Three Cities.

The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea. These cities can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history, as Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua have provided a home and fortress to almost every person who settled on the islands.

Their harbour inlets have been in use since Phoenician times, with the docks always providing a living for local people but also leaving them vulnerable when Malta’s rulers were at war. As the first home to the Knights of St. John, the Three Cities’ palaces, churches, forts, and bastions are far older than Valletta’s.
Sliema Promenade

1 h 15 min

At the end of the cruise, you will disembark at Sliema Ferries, where you will have some free time to take a stroll along Sliema’s main shopping area and promenade (approximately 1¼ hours). Here, you will have the opportunity to do some shopping from the numerous outlets located in this area or simply relax in one of the many restaurants and cafés situated along the promenade and its surroundings.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Bella Vista Hotel Malta
Cerviola Hotel
Seaview Hotel - Adults Only 16+

and 43 more pickup points

2:45 PM is the start time of the activity and not the time when you will be picked up from your hotel (or closest meeting point). At least a few days before the date of your activity, you need to make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pick-up location and pick-up time. Your pick-up time can be any time between 1:30 PM and 2:20 PM, depending on where you are staying.

If your pick-up location is a hotel, please wait outside near the main entrance. Do not wait in the lobby or inside the hotel. When the guide or driver arrives, they will have a list of names and will ask those waiting outside for identification. They will not enter the hotel to look for guests.

Transportation will not wait for late arrivals. If you miss your morning pick-up, you will not be able to join the tour later. Once the tour has started, it cannot be interrupted to accommodate latecomers.

Using your ticket

The time shown on the website or on your ticket is the approximate start time of the activity and not the time when you will be picked up from your hotel (or closest meeting point). At least a few days before the date of your activity, you need to make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pick-up location and pick-up time. Your pick-up time can be any time between 1:30 PM and 2:20 PM, depending on where you are staying.

To confirm your meeting point (pick-up location) and your pick-up time, please send an e-mail to [email protected] at least a few days before the date of your activity. Make sure to include your booking reference number in the e-mail.

It is very important that you arrive at your pick-up location (meeting point) at the given time; however, if transport is a bit delayed due to unexpected traffic conditions, do not become alarmed. Please allow up to 15 minutes of waiting time before contacting our emergency number.

Out of respect for all guests who would already be waiting on the bus/coach, as well as other guests who would be waiting for their pick-up at their respective meeting points, please be aware that transport will not wait for late arrivals, as this will only cause an ensuing series of delays to the entire pick-up process and the tour; therefore, please ensure you are waiting at the correct meeting point at the given time by the provider. If you miss your transport, you will not be able to join the tour later; as the boat is required to depart at its scheduled time and cannot be held for late arrivals.

If the tour is cancelled due to poor weather, rough sea conditions, or strong winds, you will be offered to reschedule your activity on a different date; if you cannot reschedule, a full refund will be given.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The time shown on the website or on your ticket is the approximate start time of the activity and not the time when you will be picked up from your hotel (or closest meeting point). At least a few days before the date of your activity, you need to make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pick-up location and pick-up time. Your pick-up time can be any time between 1:30 PM and 2:20 PM, depending on where you are staying.
A guide speaking the language you have booked will accompany you on the tour; however, please note that occasionally, operational circumstances may require us to assign a multilingual guide (limited to a maximum of two languages).
The tour in Spanish will be conducted by either a Spanish-speaking guide (subject to availability) or an English-speaking guide together with a Spanish-speaking host serving as a translator.
Our scheduled stop at Sliema’s main shopping area and promenade will be at leisure (free time). It is important that you adhere to all instructions received from your guide. Please make sure you arrive at the agreed-upon meeting place by the time your guide has indicated to avoid missing your return transport from Sliema to your accommodation.
No particular dress code is required; we suggest wearing comfortable clothes according to the forecasted weather.
The tour is not wheelchair-accessible.
Foldable strollers are allowed during the tour.
Pets, large luggage, and large suitcases are not allowed during the tour.
Any personal belongings, including backpacks or rucksacks, must be carried with you at all times and may not be left unattended on the coach, bus or boat.
The tour is not suitable for travellers with mobility impairments.
The tour is not suitable for travellers who are prone to sea sickness.

Options

With German-Speaking Guide

Meeting Point/Pick-Up Time: Make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pickup location (meeting point) and pickup time.

Pickup included
With Italian-Speaking Guide

Meeting Point/Pick-Up Time: Make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pickup location (meeting point) and pickup time.

Pickup included
With English-Speaking Guide

Meeting Point/Pick-Up Time: Make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pickup location (meeting point) and pickup time.

Pickup included
With French-Speaking Guide

Meeting Point/Pick-Up Time: Make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pickup location (meeting point) and pickup time.

Pickup included
With Spanish-Speaking Guide

With Spanish-Speaking Guide: The tour is done with a Spanish-speaking guide or with an English-speaking guide together with a Spanish-speaking translator.

Meeting Point/Pick-Up Time: Make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pickup location (meeting point) and pickup time.

Pickup included