Valletta and The Three Cities Scenic Harbours Cruise from Sliema

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.

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.

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.

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.

Passing by the battlements and imposing fortifications surrounding Floriana.

Passing by the battlements and imposing fortifications surrounding Valletta.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.