Valletta, Malta Cruise Port Guide

Malta: A Mediterranean Masterpiece

Some ports leave you rushing back to the ship. Valletta is not one of them. On a recent Holland America Line voyage aboard Oosterdam, my itinerary included an overnight call here. That single scheduling choice transformed my experience.

While I obviously love cruising, I'm sometimes frustrated by the rush of trying to explore a new city within a limited call, so in this case, with nearly two full days in port, I could explore Malta’s capital without the usual time pressure.

I wandered its narrow lanes, lingered over meals, and even returned to favourite spots the next day, and it was an absolutely delightful experience.

Set on a peninsula and surrounded by the Grand Harbour, Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Baroque architecture, star‑shaped fortifications and sweeping sea views.

Unlike many European ports, there’s no industrial sprawl to greet you. Rather, the cruise terminal is situated in a restored 18th-century waterfront that feels like an extension of the old city. Ships dock at a pier (no tenders required!), and you’re immediately immersed in Malta’s history and beauty.

Valletta Cruise Port Overview

Your ship will berth in Valletta’s Grand Harbour, one of the Mediterranean’s largest natural harbours. The terminal is part of the Valletta Waterfront: a row of honey‑coloured warehouses converted into cafés, restaurants and shops.

Because it’s a pier rather than a tender anchorage, you step directly onto land and into Maltese history. From the dock, you’ll see the city’s fortifications rising steeply above you – an enticing view that hints at the climbs ahead (sometimes, literally).

Getting to the City Centre: Things to do in the Valletta Cruise Port

Malta is one of the smallest countries in the world, at just 122 square miles with a population of a little over half a million people.

It's an island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, so an obvious choice as a port of call stop on Mediterranean cruise itineraries, situated just south of Sicily, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya.

Despite its modest size, Malta’s small footprint belies an outsized wealth of sights and experiences. With an overnight call like the one I was fortunate to experience, you can cover a lot, but even a single day allows for highlights.

Barrakka Lift: Quick Access to the Upper Barrakka Gardens

The Barrakka Lift is situated just beyond the cruise terminal, offering a fast and easy way to reach the city. For €1 round‑trip, this 190-foot elevator takes you directly up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, a peaceful terrace with sweeping views of the Grand Harbour.

Taking the lift is absolutely worth it, because the walk from the terminal to the lift is uphill, exposed, and deceptively long, especially in the midday sun. From there, it's only a short walk to Republic Street, Valletta’s main thoroughfare. 

Note that getting to the lift from the cruise terminal may also pose a challenge to some cruisers, as the walk to the lift entrance is quite steep. If you have mobility issues, are out of shape, or just not in the mood for a sweaty uphill hike, you can grab a taxi right from the cruise terminal to the city center, instead of walking to the life.

On the other hand, if you're feeling ambitious, it is possible to make the full climb on foot, without the aid of taxis or lifts. Just walk the incline from the cruise terminal to the staircase which connects the waterfront to central Valletta. Allow approximately 25 minutes for the uphill trek, traveling at a moderate pace.

During our visit, we walked down those stairs at one point, and that was perfectly fine, but I had zero interest in making the trip uphill. 

Taxis and Uber in Malta

Taxis wait at the pier and offer fixed‑price tours. Since we had no formal plans in Malta, other than to wander and explore, on our first day, we disembarked the ship and chatted with the various vendors and tour operators at the terminal, ultimately opting for a taxi tour.

After negotiating the time and rate, we booked a three‑hour island tour for €200. That essentially gave us access to the taxi driver as our personal driver for a three-hour period, allowing us to go wherever we wanted and explore for as long as we wished.

By the end of our time with the driver, we had visited several sites, including scenic stops, and it felt like good value for a personalized experience.

The alternative would have been a guided bus tour offered by the cruise line, which would likely have cost about the same as going on our own this way, but we would have been herded with dozens of other strangers with no control over where we went or how long we stayed at each location. 

Related: Pros and Cons of Independent Excursions

Uber operates in Malta, and we used it on our second day, so that's also an option in Malta. Fares were reasonable and the app worked just like at home.

Public buses connect Valletta to other towns, but I avoid them when cruising, because navigating a foreign transport system as an American can be intimidating, and I’d rather not risk missing the "return to ship" time. With an overnight call, this would have been the place for me to try it, but while I like to save money on a cruise, I also prioritize comfort and convenience. 

Beaches Near the Valletta Cruise Port

Valletta itself doesn’t have any wide sandy beaches right in the city, but several great options are within reach if you’re docking in Malta and craving some time by the sea.

St. George’s Bay (St. Julian’s)

This is the easiest beach to reach from the Valletta cruise port, approximately a 25-minute taxi or rideshare ride away.

Located in the busy St. Julian’s area, St. George’s Bay is a small man-made sandy beach with clear water, loungers, umbrellas, restaurants, and beach clubs. It’s popular with tourists and has a party vibe, especially in the summer.

Expect crowds. But if you’ve only got a few hours and want to squeeze in beach time without a long trip, this is your most practical option.

Golden Bay

Golden Bay is on the northwest coast of Malta, roughly 45 minutes by taxi from the cruise terminal. It’s a natural beach with soft golden sand, gentle waves, and a more relaxed feel than St. George’s.

There are a couple of beachfront restaurants, bathrooms, and umbrella rentals. It’s a great choice if your ship is in port for a full day and you want to escape the city without committing to a full-blown tour. Families and couples alike adore this spot for its serene waters and stunning sunset views.

Paradise Bay

Paradise Bay is a small, secluded beach near Malta’s northern tip, close to the Gozo ferry terminal. It’s approximately an hour from the cruise terminal by taxi or private transfer, so consider it only if you have a long port day.

The beach features crystal-clear turquoise water, a laid-back atmosphere, and beach clubs where you can grab drinks or rent a lounger, but not all of them provide towels, so bring your own. If you’re looking for postcard-perfect scenery and fewer crowds, Paradise Bay is a strong contender, but you’ll need to plan carefully to make the logistics work.

Cruiser Tip: If you’re heading to a beach on your own, build in plenty of buffer time to return to the ship, especially during the summer when traffic can be unpredictable. Private drivers, shore excursions, or pre-booked transfers are smart options if you’re venturing farther out.

Valletta Cruise Port Waterfront & Activities

Before heading up to the city, spend time on the Valletta Waterfront. While there's more to do in the city center above, the refurbished warehouses near the cruise pier house coffee shops, wine bars, and craft stores, and the waterfront is super convenient from the cruise ships.

Grab a cappuccino and watch the harbour traffic or hop on a traditional dgħajsa boat for a short tour. These water taxis ferry you across to the Three Cities and offer a different viewpoint of Valletta’s bastions.

Top Attractions & Excursions Near the Valletta Cruise Port

Malta is one of the smallest countries in the world, measuring just 122 square miles, and with a population of slightly over half a million people.

It's an island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, making it an obvious choice as a port of call for Mediterranean cruise itineraries, situated just south of Sicily, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya.

Despite its modest size, though, Malta’s small footprint belies an outsized wealth of sights and experiences. With an overnight call like the one we were fortunate to experience, you can cover a lot, but even a single day allows for highlights.

Marsaxlokk Fishing Village

Pronounced mar-sa-shlock, this harbour town on Malta’s south coast is famous for its colourful luzzu fishing boats and waterfront restaurants. We loved it so much we went twice.

Saturday was relaxed: we strolled the promenade, shopped for souvenirs, photographed the boats’ painted eyes, and lingered over lunch.

On Sunday, the Marsaxlokk Fish Market takes over the harbourfront, expanding to fill the whole harbour and drawing large crowds. It was fun to see the hustle, but we preferred the laid‑back, calm vibe of the previous day.

Additionally, we got semi-scammed by one of the vendors selling bakery items at one of the stalls there. Needless to say, our experience the previous day was much more enjoyable, although we did enjoy both days in the village overall.

If your visit to Marsaxlokk is on a Sunday, however, be sure to note the market and plan to arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Here’s the revised version with added detail for cruisers about visiting the Blue Lagoon, including both boat tours and land-based viewpoints:

Blue Lagoon Viewpoints (and How to Visit from the Cruise Port)

During our tour of Malta, our taxi driver brought us to a high viewpoint overlooking the stunning turquoise waters often referred to as the “Blue Lagoon.”

While this viewpoint is located on Malta’s northern coast, the actual Blue Lagoon is on the nearby island of Comino, a tiny, mostly uninhabited island nestled between Malta and Gozo. From the overlook, we could admire the vivid colors of the sea and get some Insta-worthy pics.

That said, cruisers who want the full Blue Lagoon experience can take a boat tour directly to the Blue Lagoon from Malta. These excursions typically depart from ports like Sliema or Marfa, both reachable within 30 to 45 minutes from Valletta cruise port by taxi.

Some tours offer round-trip transport from the cruise terminal or nearby pickup points. Once on Comino, visitors can swim, snorkel, or just relax on the rocks and enjoy the surreal water clarity.

Keep in mind that the Blue Lagoon can get extremely crowded during peak season, and there’s very little shade, which is why we opted not to partake in a Blue Lagoon experience, so plan accordingly if you go.

Mdina: The Silent City

Perched on a hill inland, Mdina was Malta’s capital before Valletta. Its car‑free lanes and honey‑stone palaces transport you back centuries.

Without even knowing, our first words when stepping foot inside was "Wow, this feels like the set of Game of Thrones!" After seeing some GoT merch sold in local souvenir shops, we did a quick search on our phones just to learn that our instincts were right. 

Indeed, Mdina was featured in the show. If you’re a fan, you might recognize the imposing city gate and a few narrow alleyways from early episodes, when Mdina served as a stand-in for King’s Landing.

We spent most of our tour time simply wandering the streets, soaking up the quiet, medieval atmosphere, and admiring the architecture, and it quickly became one of our favorite stops in Malta. Unfortunately, this was one of our last stops on our private taxi tour, and we were running out of time. Otherwise, we would have lingered and wandered here even more. 

If you plan to visit Mdina, I recommend allocating sufficient time here, as not having more time here is one regret I have about our visit.

Valletta’s Historic Core

At the conclusion of our private taxi tour on the first day of touring the island, we asked our driver to drop us off in the city center of Valletta itself.

We wandered along Republic Street and Merchant Street, ducked into small churches and courtyards, and sampled local pastries. As sun started to set, ti was really cool to experience this area at night, and we came back the next day to experience it by day.

If your schedule allows, there’s plenty more to explore in the area beyond the main shopping streets filled with restaurants and souvenir shops.

The Grandmaster’s Palace is a standout, with opulent rooms and significant historical value. Nearby, the National Museum of Archaeology offers a fascinating look into Malta’s prehistoric past. You can also check out St. John’s Co-Cathedral, famous for its gilded interior and a stunning Caravaggio painting, or take in harbor views from Upper Barrakka Gardens just a short walk away.

Don’t overlook Casa Rocca Piccola, a lived-in 16th-century palazzo still occupied by a noble family, or MUŻA, Malta’s Museum of Fine Arts housed in a historic Auberge. There’s a lot packed into this small capital, and it’s all easily walkable and easily accessible from the cruise terminal.

Savouring Local Food & Drink in Malta

Trying new food is part of the joy of travel, even when your taste buds disagree.

Malta’s pastizzi, which are flaky pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas, are one snack we had to try. We grabbed one from a food truck outside Mdina, and it was pretty tasty. 

In contrast, I tried the traditional qagħaq tal‑għasel (honey rings) twice from two different vendors and still found them to be "meh"... pretty bland. But that’s the fun of exploring: not every local specialty will be a personal hit, but you’ll leave with stories to tell and the satisfaction of trying new things.

If you're into seafood, Marsaxlokk’s restaurants are great choices, with lampuki (mahi‑mahi) being a standout. If you're a real foodie and have more time in Malta, consider taking the ferry to Gozo or Comino for even more culinary adventures. Ferries depart from Ċirkewwa on the north coast and are easily booked online.

Language & Currency in Malta

Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English. English is widely spoken, but you may notice a distinctive accent. When locals switch to Maltese, you’ll hear Semitic roots and Italian influences intertwined. 

The country also lends its name to the Maltese dog, and I was happy to see a few here and there. Historians believe the small, white lapdog either originated on the island or was introduced by Phoenician traders. Whatever its exact origin, the breed has been associated with Malta for thousands of years.

Malta uses the Euro, and while credit cards and contactless payments are common, it's wise to carry some cash for markets and small purchases.

I always avoid using my debit card abroad (this is my go-to travel card), because credit cards offer better fraud protection and typically waive foreign transaction fees.

Tipping in Malta is similar to that in other European countries: round up or leave 5–10 percent at restaurants, and hand a few euros to taxi drivers or tour guides.

Related: Avoid Cruise Money Mistakes

What to Wear in Malta

Malta's climate is Mediterranean, characterized by warm summers and mild winters.

• Summer (June‑September): Expect hot and sunny conditions. Pack lightweight, breathable clothing such as cotton dresses, shorts, and t‑shirts. Include swimwear, sunscreen, a wide‑brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
• Spring/Autumn (April‑May, October‑November): These shoulder seasons offer pleasant temperatures, suitable for sightseeing. Layered clothing is advisable, including a light jacket or cardigan for evenings.
• General: Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as Valletta features many hilly, cobbled streets. Bring a hat and/or sunglasses, as it is generally quite sunny.

Related: Shop my favorite cruise clothes and essentials

Where Are the Cats? What to Know About Malta’s Famous Feline Population

Malta is often affectionately referred to as “Cat Island” thanks to its well-established cat colonies, particularly in parks, quiet alleys, and residential areas. Locals are known to care for these stray communities, and you’ll even find souvenir shops stocked with cat-themed magnets, postcards, and figurines that celebrate the country’s feline reputation.

But despite the cat culture of Malta, we didn’t see a single cat during our two-day visit, and as a devoted cat lover, I was seriously disappointed. The closest we came was the wooden cat sanctuary boxes spotted along the stairway leading from the cruise terminal up toward Valletta’s city center. They were clearly there to shelter local strays… but not a single kitty was in sight. Sadness...

To be fair, cats tend to hang out in quieter parts of the island or show up at random when they feel like it (typical cat behavior). Still, if you’re docking in Valletta and hoping to see swarms of Malta’s furry residents, don’t be surprised if the cats decide not to show up for the occasion.

Cruise Schedules & Seasonality in Malta

Malta receives ships year‑round, but peak season runs from May to October. Summer brings heat and crowds, while spring and autumn offer milder weather.

Check your itinerary carefully before booking your cruise, because overnight calls like ours are gold and allow you to see Marsaxlokk at sunset, Mdina under twinkling lamps, and Valletta after day‑trippers depart.

Time Zone in Valletta 

Malta observes Central European Time (UTC+1) and shifts to Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) in the warmer months. Always follow ship time to avoid missing the all‑aboard time.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Valletta Cruise Port