Valletta Cruise Port Guide
Photos: Bengt Nyman (CC BY 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; AROUND THE WORLD, Sławomir Z, Alby Set, Henrik Rydell, Jennifer Bartolo · via Google Maps
- Country:
- Malta
- Region:
- Western Mediterranean
- Coordinates:
- 35.8978° N, 14.5125° E
About Valletta
Valletta suits culture-focused cruisers and history enthusiasts. As Malta's capital and the southernmost capital of Europe, this compact city offers exceptional access to museums, churches and historical sites directly from the port. At just 0.61 square kilometres, Valletta is the European Union's smallest capital city, making it ideal for exploring on foot during a port call.
The city centre features world-class attractions within moments of the quay. St. John's Co-Cathedral (rating 4.8) stands at the port entrance, whilst the St John's Co-Cathedral Museum (also 4.8) showcases religious art and treasures. The National Museum of Archaeology (rating 4.4) and Casa Rocca Piccola (rating 4.6) provide deeper insights into Malta's heritage. History buffs will appreciate the Grand Master's Palace (rating 4.5) and St. George's Square (rating 4.6).
Waterfront and Gardens
Beyond the historic core, the Upper Barrakka park and garden (rating 4.7) offers harbour views and green space just 0.3 km away. The Valletta Waterfront (rating 4.6) in nearby Floriana provides shopping, dining and café life. Valletta functions as a commercial centre with bars and restaurants throughout, making it easy to spend a full port day without venturing far from the ship.
Valletta is a regular call on Western Mediterranean cruises, often alongside ports including Barcelona, Cannes and Civitavecchia.
Valletta, also known as Città Umilissima, is the capital city of Malta and one of its 68 council areas. Located between the Grand Harbour to the east and Marsamxett Harbour to the west, its population as of 2021 was 5,157. As Malta's capital city, it is a commercial centre for shopping, bars, dining, and café life. It is also the southernmost capital of Europe, and, at just 0.61 square kilometres (0.24 sq mi), it is the European Union's smallest capital city.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Valletta on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
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Photo: Bruno Pascoal · via Google Maps Park and Garden
Upper Barrakka
4.7 (41,372) 0.3 km from port
Photography is popular at this public square & garden with a cafe & harbor views.
Near: Malta Stock Exchange (35 m) · Castille Hotel (43 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Dogs allowed
- 5 · “The Upper Barrakka Gardens offer the most breathtaking panoramic view in all of Malta. Stepping onto this spectacular terrace is…” — Americo S.
- 5 · “Upper Barrakka Gardens was one of the highlights of my visit to Malta. The views overlooking the Grand Harbour are…” — Juliana Dunovska
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Photo: Oleksandr Vitkovskyi · via Google Maps Church
St. John's Co-Cathedral
4.8 (27,049) 0.0 km from port
Elaborately adorned place of worship, completed in 1578 & filled with marbles & European masters.
Near: Anastasi Panini (58 m) · St John's Co-Cathedral Museum (67 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 am – 4:15 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 4:15 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 4:15 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 4:15 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 4:15 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 4:15 pm
- Sunday: Closed
- 5 · “St. John’s Co-Cathedral is an absolutely stunning place to visit and was one of the highlights of my time in…” — Alex Crisp
- 5 · “A wonderful and unforgettable experience. St. John’s Co-Cathedral is truly breathtaking, with a unique visual impact that leaves visitors in…” — Christina Panagiotidou
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Photo: The Valletta Waterfront · via Google Maps Tourist attraction
The Valletta Waterfront
4.6 (12,723) 1.0 km from port
Converted 1700s port warehouses featuring global restaurants, bars & views of cruise ship activity.
Near: Bistro 516 (15 m) · Browns Kitchen Valletta Waterfront (27 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Beautiful waterfront. Walk to the centre of town in less than 15 minutes. Don’t believe the taxi drivers who tell…” — J
- 5 · “Great historical place with many British things due to the previous occupation, phone boxes, road signs etc. Just wear suitable…” — Gareth
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Photo: Yury Issarevich · via Google Maps Historical landmark
St. George’s Square
4.6 (5,341) 0.2 km from port
Main square, home to the storied President's Palace & other baroque & neoclassical buildings.
Near: State Rooms (33 m) · Valletta Police Station (48 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Fantastic piece of history although it was destroyed during the war it vast open space and amazing architecture does not…” — John Wylie
- 5 · “Beautiful area Good bars and restaurants nearby Big open space A couple of minutes walk from centre of town Horse…” — John
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Museum
National Museum of Archaeology | Valletta
4.4 (4,297) 0.1 km from port
Prehistoric artifacts, weapons & sculptures displayed in a baroque 16th-century structure.
Near: McDonald's (15 m) · Agenda Bookshop (27 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- 5 · “What an excellent museum! What enriched our visit was that we had visited the temples of Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, Ħal-Tarxien…” — catsforkids
- 5 · “This was a lovely little museum cost €5 per adult so €10 for two of us. Was very impressed with…” — lou leighton
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Museum
St John's Co-Cathedral Museum
4.8 (3,894) 0.0 km from port
Grand, 16th-century church offering a museum with baroque architecture, artwork & many artifacts.
Near: Central Business Centre Valletta - The Savoy (37 m) · St. John's Co-Cathedral (53 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
- Sunday: Closed
- 5 · “St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta is truly breathtaking. The moment you step inside, the scale of the decoration and the…” — google account
- 5 · “Absolutely grand and breathtaking. St John’s Co-Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and impressive places to visit in Malta.…” — Phong Nguyen Thanh
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Museum
Casa Rocca Piccola
4.6 (3,504) 0.3 km from port
Home to a noble Maltese family, this 16th-century palace has 50+ lavish rooms & guided tours.
Near: The Malta Chamber (65 m) · St. George’s Square (168 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: Closed
- 5 · “This is definitely the place you want to visit. Easygoing viewing with an audio guide and lots of family trees…” — Marina Gudelj Meštrić
- 5 · “Casa Rocca Piccola is a truly remarkable attraction in Valletta and easily заслуживает a full 5-star rating. This historic noble…” — LUCAS-SIMINA Diodiu
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Historical landmark
Grand Master's Palace
4.5 (3,361) 0.1 km from port
Central palace courtyard offering bench seating in peaceful surrounds with palm trees.
Near: State Rooms (44 m) · St. George’s Square (76 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- 5 · “The Grandmaster’s Palace is one of the most impressive historic attractions in Valletta. Tickets can be purchased in advance, and…” — google account
- 5 · “Valletta is truly a magical place. I highly recommend everyone to visit and spend at least one day exploring it…” — Vanessa Shayya
Map of Valletta and nearby attractions
Best time to visit Valletta
Cruises to Western Mediterranean mostly sail april to October.
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Cruises calling at Valletta
Deals update daily — see all Western Mediterranean cruises.
