The Three Fortified Cities of Malta Half Day Tour Incl. Boat Trip and..., Valletta

About this activity

The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea.

The oldest of the Three Cities is Vittoriosa, which has existed since the Middle Ages. The other two cities, Senglea and Cospicua, were both founded by the Order of the Knights of Saint John in the 16th and 17th centuries respectively.

During this half-day tour, you will have the opportunity to appreciate these unique historical fortified cities and admire magnificent churches, traditional piazzas, incredible fortifications, and architectural treasures found all around the Three Cities area, pieces of living history kept alive by hundreds of years of preservation!

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At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 52 people
People per booking: 1–30
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: Pick-up and drop-off transfers (choose your preferred location from one of our meeting points)
Included: Boat tour of the harbour creeks on a traditional Maltese carvel-built fishing boat
Included: Licenced tour guide

Not included

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

Itinerary

Cospicua (Bormla)

20 min

You will start your tour with a panoramic drive past the city of Cospicua, a double fortified harbour city and the largest of the Three Cities, flanked by Senglea on the West and Vittoriosa on the East. Cospicua is well known for its large dockyard and its impressive fortifications known as the Santa Margherita Lines and the Cottonera Lines.
Birgu (Vittoriosa)

1 h 20 min

A short stretch away from Cospicua lies the city of Vittoriosa, the city occupies a promontory of land with the impressive Fort Saint Angelo at its head and the city of Cospicua at its base.

The origins of this glorious city date back to the Medieval times, over the centuries Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, the Angevines, the Aragonese and the Order of the Knights of Saint John all contributed to the development of this magnificent city. Here you will enjoy a fascinating walking tour through the distinctive narrow winding streets of the city, admiring and appreciating all the historical buildings and captivating treasures found at every twist and turn.
Vittoriosa Waterfront - Birgu Waterfront

35 min

Upon your arrival at the stunning Vittoriosa Waterfront, we will board a traditional Maltese “Frejgatina” (a small, carvel-built fishing boat) for a delightful tour of the colourful harbour creeks.
Senglea

one hour

The tour will end at Senglea. Named after Claude De La Sengle, the Grand Master who founded the city, Senglea is also known as “Civitas Invicta” a name given to the city for managing to resist the Ottoman invasion during the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.

Here you will enjoy another fascinating walk around this majestic city.
Gardjola Gardens

25 min

During our tour of Senglea you will also visit the Gardjola Gardens. Located at the tip of the peninsula you will enjoy a stunning 360° view of the Grand Harbour, including the impressive Fort Saint Angelo, from where the Grand Master Jean Perisot De La Valette led the defence of the island during the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.

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 44 more pickup points

9:45 AM 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 8:15 AM and 9:15 AM, 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 8:15 AM and 9:15 AM, 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.

The boat trip is always subject to favourable weather conditions; if the boat trip cannot be done due to poor weather conditions, we will spend more time visiting the three cities.

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; this is a tour in motion, and therefore joining the tour will be logistically impossible. No refunds will be given to any customers who are late for their pick-up.

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%

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 anytime between 8:15 AM and 9:15 AM, depending on where you are staying.
The tour will be guided in the language you have booked, however please note that at times, depending on operational circumstances, the commentary might be provided by a multilingual guide (limited to a maximum of 2 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.
The boat trip is always subject to favourable weather conditions; if the boat trip cannot be done due to poor weather conditions, we will spend more time visiting the three cities.
The visit to Cospicua is a panoramic drive-by; we will not be stopping there.
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 or bus.
The difficulty level of this tour is considered easy to moderate; however, one should take note that it’s a rather long walk.
Not suitable for travellers with mobility impairments.

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 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
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 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 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