---
title: "Valletta Cruise Port"
url: https://cruisello.com/destinations/western-mediterranean/valletta
description: "A fortress city of honey-coloured stone"
---

# Valletta

🇲🇹 · Malta · Western Mediterranean

> "A fortress city of honey-coloured stone"

## At a Glance

- **Avg. Ships/Day:** 1.2
- **Avg. Time in Port:** 9.1h
- **Departure Sailings:** 247
- **Visiting Sailings:** 1,516
- **Cruise Lines:** 13

## Photos

- ![Valletta, Malta](https://cruisello.com/img/ports/western-mediterranean/valletta/valletta-unsplash-kqyxcoy-8p0.webp) Photo by [Michail Tsapas](https://unsplash.com/photos/valletta-street-with-traditional-wooden-balconies-KQyXCoy_8p0?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral)
- ![Valletta, Malta](https://cruisello.com/img/ports/western-mediterranean/valletta/valletta-pixabay-5058957.webp) © [chrisjzammit / Pixabay Content License](https://pixabay.com/photos/valletta-malta-triton-fountain-city-5058957/)
- ![Valletta, Malta](https://cruisello.com/img/ports/western-mediterranean/valletta/valletta-unsplash-jd2xvxlq0u.webp) Photo by [Micaela Parente](https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-concrete-dome-building-near-body-of-water--Jd2XVXLQ0U?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral)
- ![Valletta, Malta](https://cruisello.com/img/ports/western-mediterranean/valletta/valletta-pexels-17327690.webp) © [Efrem Efre / Pexels License](https://www.pexels.com/photo/sandstone-architecture-with-with-wide-steps-17327690/)
- ![Valletta, Malta](https://cruisello.com/img/ports/western-mediterranean/valletta/valletta-pexels-15042343.webp) © [Boris Hamer / Pexels License](https://www.pexels.com/photo/city-buildings-near-ocean-15042343/)
- ![Valletta, Malta](https://cruisello.com/img/ports/western-mediterranean/valletta/valletta-pixabay-6844908.webp) © [Hobbyfotography / Pixabay Content License](https://pixabay.com/photos/travel-tourist-tourist-attraction-6844908/)
- ![Valletta, Malta](https://cruisello.com/img/ports/western-mediterranean/valletta/valletta-pixabay-2482778.webp) © [user32212 / Pixabay Content License](https://pixabay.com/photos/lighthouse-harbor-port-bay-sky-2482778/)
- ![Valletta, Malta](https://cruisello.com/img/ports/western-mediterranean/valletta/valletta-pixabay-5067291.webp) © [db\_oblikovanje / Pixabay Content License](https://pixabay.com/photos/malta-valletta-city-architecture-5067291/)

## Peak season

Apr – Oct

1,852 sailings over the next 12 months

Busiest months: Sept (254 sailings), Jun (241 sailings), Aug (217 sailings)

## About Valletta

Valletta is built on a narrow peninsula between two harbours, and nearly every building is made from the same honey-coloured limestone. The city was purpose-built by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege of 1565 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980. St John's Co-Cathedral, plain on the outside and heavily gilded within, has two Caravaggio paintings in the oratory. An elevator near the cruise terminal lifts passengers to the upper town.

The Grand Master's Palace and its armoury take up one side of Republic Street, the main thoroughfare. The Upper Barrakka Gardens have a terrace overlooking the Grand Harbour and a noon cannon salute. Mdina, the old capital inland, is a walled hilltop city with silent streets and medieval architecture. Pastizzi, flaky pastries filled with ricotta or pea mash, are sold for almost nothing from hole-in-the-wall shops. The euro is the currency. The city is compact and walkable, though steep in places.

## Your day in Valletta

Ships berth at Pinto Wharf; walk about 500 m to the Upper Barrakka Lift, which carries you up into the city.

### Map

- **Cruise terminal**: Pinto Wharf, Valletta Waterfront (Xatt Pinto), quay edge alongside (35.89044, 14.50942)
- **Bus to Mdina & Rabat**: Valletta bus terminal, 14 min walk (35.89387, 14.50891)
- **Ferry to the Three Cities**: Lascaris ferry landing, 9 min walk (35.89395, 14.51299)

Walking times from the cruise terminal:

- Within 15 min: Upper Barrakka Gardens
- Within 30 min: St John's Co-Cathedral, Grandmaster's Palace, Fort St Elmo, Lascaris War Rooms, National Museum of Archaeology

Map data with the walking areas: [GeoJSON](https://cruisello.com/api/day-in-port/36728d30-fa3b-4fa0-a579-f0a3ab588201.geojson)

### What to see

#### St John's Co-Cathedral

Knights' church of the 1570s with Caravaggio's Beheading of St John. 17 min walk. (35.89770, 14.51262)

![St John's Co-Cathedral](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1768472908323-c9023ba9caca?ixid=M3w5Nzg1OTl8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw1fHxTdCUyMEpvaG4lMjdzJTIwQ28tQ2F0aGVkcmFsJTIwVmFsbGV0dGF8ZW58MXx8fHwxNzkzNDQ1MjU2fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&w=1440&fit=max&auto=format&q=75)
Photo: [David Payne](https://unsplash.com/@studiopayne), [Unsplash License](https://unsplash.com/license), [source](https://unsplash.com/photos/grand-ornate-interior-of-a-cathedral-with-ornate-ceiling-paintings-F15DASwoAbY)

#### Upper Barrakka Gardens

Arcaded terrace above the Grand Harbour, with the noon gun. 12 min walk. (35.89498, 14.51202)

![Upper Barrakka Gardens](https://cruisello.com/img/places/Q7898477/7235b770bc22013c-1440.webp)
Photo: [Giuseppe Cognata](https://www.pexels.com/@giuseppe-cognata-1788620), [Pexels License](https://www.pexels.com/license/), [source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/beautiful-arched-promenade-in-valletta-39318051/)

#### Grandmaster's Palace

Palace of the Knights' Grand Masters, with state rooms and an armoury. 22 min walk. (35.89861, 14.51411)

![Grandmaster's Palace](https://cruisello.com/img/places/Q1368885/e57a1659c2e2e67b-1280.webp)
Photo: [Efraimstochter](https://pixabay.com/users/Efraimstochter-12351/), [Pixabay Content License](https://pixabay.com/service/license-summary/), [source](https://pixabay.com/photos/grand-masters-palace-patio-palace-116602/)

#### Fort St Elmo

Star fort at the harbour mouth, besieged in 1565, with the National War Museum. 27 min walk. (35.90198, 14.51863)

![Fort St Elmo](https://cruisello.com/img/places/Q1438745/b18340d3b1d80e64-1440.webp)
Photo: John Haslam, [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fort_St._Elmo%3B_Valletta%2C_Malta.jpg)

#### Lascaris War Rooms

Tunnels used as Allied command post, including for the 1943 Sicily landings. 17 min walk. (35.89488, 14.51278)

![Lascaris War Rooms](https://cruisello.com/img/places/Q1648164/96637902a2177a05-1350.webp)
Photo: Pi3.124, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lascaris_War_Room_Entrance.jpg)

#### National Museum of Archaeology

Malta's prehistoric temple finds, including the Sleeping Lady. 17 min walk. (35.89751, 14.51116)

![National Museum of Archaeology](https://cruisello.com/img/places/Q2898298/a96b17ca38b1ebea-1440.webp)
Photo: Frank Vincentz, [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malta_-_Valletta_-_Triq_ir-Repubblika_%2B_Auberge_de_Provence_01_ies.jpg)

### Day trips

Based on 9 h in port, with 1 h spare before all aboard.

- **Mdina and Rabat**: Bus from Valletta bus terminal, 45 min. About 4 h 30 in Mdina and Rabat. Tour: [Mdina and Rabat - City Walking Tour](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/viator/70054P4?via=markdown) from €20
- **Three Cities**: Ferry from Lascaris landing, 10 min. About 5 h 30 in Three Cities.

Starting prices per person. We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links, at no extra cost to you.


## Quick facts

- **Currency:** Euro (EUR)
- **Language:** Maltese, English
- **Timezone:** Europe/Malta (UTC+1)
- **Tipping:** 10% at restaurants

## Location

Coordinates: 35.8904, 14.5095

- [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/cruise+terminal+Valletta/@35.89036,14.50953,13z)
- [Open in Apple Maps](https://maps.apple.com/?q=cruise%20terminal%20Valletta&ll=35.89036,14.50953&z=13)

## Things to do in Valletta

Top-rated shore excursions that fit a typical ~9h port call

| Tour | Rating | Duration | Times | Fits Port Day | From | Provider |
|------|------|------|------|------|------|------|
| [Valletta Walking Tour, In a Small Group](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/5ab1d24a-55f7-454c-abee-27b1ab5ef5df?via=markdown) | 4.9★ (507) | 2h 30m | 10:00 AM–12:30 PM, 2:00 PM–4:30 PM, 5:00 PM–7:30 PM | Fits your port day | €22 | Viator |
| [Half Day Private Tour around the Island in Malta](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/1f3b0b14-b07c-4018-b42b-3ebcaa82c525?via=markdown) | 4.9★ (230) | 4h | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM, 2:00 PM–6:00 PM | Fits your port day | €270 | Viator |
| [Valletta Food Tour - Eat like a local](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/9b7fb6ea-1fcd-4e3b-b40b-db6ff5a45360?via=markdown) | 4.8★ (197) | 3h 10m | 10:00 AM–1:10 PM | Fits your port day | €50 | Viator |
| [Private Customizable Full-Day Tour in Malta](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/1f9d9dd2-acf3-4180-beb5-918b9cea7c77?via=markdown) | 4.9★ (685) | 8h | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, 9:30 AM–5:30 PM, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, 10:30 AM–6:30 PM, 11:00 AM–7:00 PM, 11:30 AM–7:30 PM | – | €256 | Viator |
| [Gozo All Inclusive Chauffeured Tuk Tuk Day Tour - Blue Lagoon](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/7f9dada8-e113-49ec-9218-2284484d8852?via=markdown) | 4.7★ (1,835) | 7h | 8:00 AM–3:00 PM | – | €85 | Viator |
| [Let's Explore the Maltese Islands! (Half Day Private Group)](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/33b47a09-2e80-4375-9320-1a59f1543989?via=markdown) | 4.8★ (34) | 4h | – | Fits your port day | €180 | Viator |
| [Malta: Half-Day Quad Bike Adventure Tour Including Transfers](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/5fea5743-3ab2-4b5b-8a2f-8d71ebb0cf0f?via=markdown) | 4.7★ (13) | 4h | 9:30 AM–1:30 PM | Fits your port day | €88 | Viator |
| [Maltese Folklore Night Tour incl. food and drinks](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/3258d0b7-cf5b-4796-a294-152b51e39f85?via=markdown) | 4.5★ (25) | 4h 30m | 6:30 PM–11:00 PM | Fits your port day | €70 | Viator |
| [Malta 5D Audio-Visual Show Ticket](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/f1c6988b-b477-4c90-b173-70e1cb9772c8?via=markdown) | 3.8★ (20) | 20m | – | Fits your port day | €10 | Viator |
| [Gozo Full-Day Quad Tour with Private Boat to Gozo & return](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/831deb70-ee22-422e-9294-eab2b6f3b3b5?via=markdown) | 4.7★ (672) | 6h | – | – | €98 | Viator |
| [Half-Day Malta Highlights](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/6a1bb050-5231-4d8b-89d1-3fcd633ee32b?via=markdown) | 5.0★ (30) | 4h | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, 10:00 PM–2:00 AM+1 | Fits your port day | €665 | Viator |
| [The Three Fortified Cities of Malta Half Day Tour Incl. Boat Trip and Transfers](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/e86d1947-6436-4ed0-826b-7107c197efc6?via=markdown) | 4.1★ (164) | 4h | 9:45 AM–1:45 PM | Fits your port day | €40 | Viator |

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews.

Starting prices per person. We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links, at no extra cost to you.

## Nearby ports

- [Syracuse (Siracusa)](https://cruisello.com/destinations/western-mediterranean/syracuse-siracusa.md): 148 km (80 nm) · Italy
- [Catania](https://cruisello.com/destinations/western-mediterranean/catania.md): 185 km (100 nm) · Italy
- [Giardini Naxos (Taormina)](https://cruisello.com/destinations/western-mediterranean/giardini-naxos-taormina.md): 226 km (122 nm) · Italy

## Cruise lines stopping here

- [AIDA Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/aida-cruises.md)
- [Carnival Cruise Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/carnival-cruise-line.md)
- [Celebrity Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/celebrity-cruises.md)
- [Costa Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/costa-cruises.md)
- [Disney Cruise Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/disney-cruise-line.md)
- [Holland America Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/holland-america-line.md)
- [MSC Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/msc-cruises.md)
- [Norwegian Cruise Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/norwegian-cruise-line.md)
- [P&O Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/p-o-cruises.md)
- [Princess Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/princess-cruises.md)
- [Royal Caribbean](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/royal-caribbean.md)
- [TUI Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/tui-cruises.md)
- [Virgin Voyages](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/virgin-voyages.md)

## Cheapest Available Sailing

**[View this cruise →](https://cruisello.com/cruises/salt-siren-tyrrhenian-to-iberia~MSC-MAGNIFICA-20261130-4.md)**

- **Price:** €297 per person (€595 total for 2 guests)
- **Cruise Line:** [MSC Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/msc-cruises.md)
- **Ship:** [MSC Magnifica](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/msc-cruises/msc-magnifica.md)
- **Duration:** 4 nights
- **Departure:** 2026-11-30
- **Itinerary:** Salt & Siren – Tyrrhenian to Iberia

## Cruises from Valletta

Prices are per person, two sharing.

| Cruise | Ship | Line | From | Departure | Nights | Price |
|------|------|------|------|------|------|------|
| [Grotto Light – Sicily, Genoa & Provence](https://cruisello.com/cruises/grotto-light-sicily-genoa-provence~MSC-MAGNIFICA-20261113-7.md) | MSC Magnifica | MSC Cruises | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 2026-11-13 | 7 | €539 |
| [Mediterranean Masterpiece – Mallorca & Malta](https://cruisello.com/cruises/mediterranean-masterpiece-mallorca-malta~NCL-EPIC-20270502-7.md) | Norwegian Epic | Norwegian Cruise Line | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 2027-05-02 | 7 | €595 |
| [Sunken Empires – Valletta, Tunis & Palermo](https://cruisello.com/cruises/sunken-empires-valletta-tunis-palermo~NCL-DAWN-20270429-10.md) | Norwegian Dawn | Norwegian Cruise Line | 🇮🇹 Civitavecchia (Rome) | 2027-04-29 | 10 | €869 |

[See all Valletta cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruises.md?stopoverPorts=valletta)

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