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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
121 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Bloody awful
Helen H,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00If you like architecture right up your street this is not what we were expecting nothing like visiting museums where the actual history is walking around for hrs looking at the same boarding buildings where people like
Very good tour . Really informative.
Chiz1098r,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Don't be put off by the negative reports. If planned its a great tour. It officially starts at 09:45 , but pick up times are early. We were 08:45 from Sliema. The mini bus drops you off at the main meeting area. We were then split into groups of 20. We had Dominic who was extremely informative. We could easily hear him as he was miced up, but in some areas he had to switch it off, but he was easily heard. There is alot of walking up and down the stairs of the cities so wear appropriate footwear. Also take plenty of water. We stopped 2 times. At 10:40 and again at noon. Enough time for refreshments and toilet breaks. Well worth the cost of the tour and the boat trip showed us areas of the city we would not normally see.
Simply inevitable!...
Raffaella R,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Simply unavoidable! All well organized, punctuality, the guide Maria was wonderful with a lot of historical knowledge and giving various tips. Super recommend
Tour operator rude,...
Freddie P,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Tour operator rude, waiting for pickup and no show, said she called me, no incoming calls on my phone
3 cities
Bonnie A,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00People need to be aware of the many steps And up hill walking!! Also, when we were near another group who had a head phone speakers, we could not hear our guide.
Traveljunkie
Marcia I,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The tour guide was very knowledgeable. While it was very informative it was toooo long! Many dropped out along the way. Could have been condensed. Boat tide was a nice touch.
Malta trip
MarcAndre G,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The tour guide was knowledgeable and very friendly. Malta simply has very beautiful and historic buildings.
Excellent mini adventure
386emz,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was fantastic, learned so much about the cities and had opportunities to take a lot of photos and ask questions. Our guide was so knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend!
3 fortified cities tour.
wmac42,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The tour party was too large with around 40 people and one guide. The guide did not have a microphone and if you were at the back you could not hear. As the tour went on, the guide began speaking before all of the party had reached her. The highlight of the tour was the traditional boat ride around the harbour.
Elizabeth was amazing ...
Andrea O,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Elizabeth was amazing Very knowledgeable and provided a lot of inside info not found in a book. She made the tour easy going and full of character
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Operated by Robert Arrigo & Sons