The Three Fortified Cities of Malta Half Day Tour Incl. Boat Trip and Transfers
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
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!
Additional Info
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Cospicua (Bormla)
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)
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.
What‘s Included
Pick-up and drop-off transfers (choose your preferred location from one of our meeting points)
Boat tour of the harbour creeks on a traditional Maltese carvel-built fishing boat
Licenced tour guide
Transportation during the tour in an airconditioned coach or bus
Food and drinks
Gratuities (optional)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
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 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
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
Reviews
102 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A must in Malta
James M,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour with exceptional knowledge from our tour guide Elizabeth. Very informative and gave us useful tips what to do in Valletta. Thank you Elizabeth
Bad tour experience
Ernesto G,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00They brought us to the race. The guide wouldn't stop to explain in time. In the end it almost brought us running
Absolute Gem of a tour
Alun R,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This trip was an unexpected delight. I only booked it days before travelling to Malta but it’s an absolute gem. John, our guide, was fabulous and the three cities are in an absolutely stunning location just the other side of Valletta. It’s a half day tour, starting at 09:45 and finishing at around 13:00. We were picked up from our hotel in the north of the island and transported down. The day includes a boat ride around the harbour, which was lovely.
Great half day trip
Valerie S,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great half day. Guide Ian fantastic, very knowledgable. Decent walking tour of the 3 cities, great harbour boat trip at end. Back in Valletta in time for late lunch. Ideal if you have a late flight back to uk.
Pleasant and fun tour,...
Ivona V,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Pleasant and fun tour, interesting guide , good value for money, we had a great time, recommended for sure
The trip was well...
Marko K,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The trip was well organized. The guide was great and we get lots of information about places that we visit.
Good introductory trip
Ajay K,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Good introduction to the three cities. Our guide Marie was knowledgeable and was great giving suggestions for follow up activity. Its short trip though, majority of your time taken for transport to the location and a boat trip within the Grand Harbour.
Great tour!
Lucy I,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour with knowledgeable local guide who made the experience interesting and fun. Trip around the harbour in a traditional ‘taxi’ boat was an added bonus. There are some steps but nothing really taxing and manageable for most. Pace was gentle with built in stops to grab a coffee etc.
Great way to see the three cities.
Carin H,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an excellent way to see the three cities. We loved our tour guide Elena. She was funny and charming and incredibly knowledgeable. The boat ride was also a great way to see the cities from the water. I would highly recommend this excursion.
My guide was Novka (hope...
Jerry K,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My guide was Novka (hope it is proper spelling) - very clever, funny and with a vast knowledge of these cities. The tour was well organised with a boat trip at the end. Recommend it.
From €40.00
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Operated by Robert Arrigo & Sons