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The Three Cities Malta are located just across Malta’s capital Valletta, so if you ever find yourself there, these 3 historic neighborhoods are worth visiting.
They are full of history, colorful balconies, and narrow streets with interesting stairs. They are also quieter than the capital.
Making it a perfect day trip from Valletta.
Find out in this article how to get to the Three Cities Malta, what to see and do and when is the best time to visit so you can enjoy this big piece of history.
Table of Contents
WHAT ARE THE THREE CITIES?
Three Cities is the collective name for three districts in Malta.
The oldest city is Vittoriosa, the origins of the city go back to the Middle Ages.
The other two towns of Senglea and Cospicua were founded by the Order of St. John in the 16th-17th centuries.
The three cities are bounded by the Cottoner Lines and together with other fortifications form a closed fortified city.
HOW TO GET TO THE THREE CITIES MALTA?
Getting to the Three Cities by ferry
Taking a ferry is the best and my favorite way. Hop on the large ferry just below the Upper Barrakka Gardens and cross the Grand Harbour Port. You will get amazing views on the way to Valletta and Three Cities Malta as well.
Crossing time is only 15 minutes and the ferry goes every 30 minutes.
A single ticket costs 2€ and a return ticket costs 3,80€.
A night single ticket costs 2,50€ and a night return ticket costs 4,20€.
Tip: The exact location of the ferry port in Valletta and the exact location of the ferry port in Three Cities.
Tip: Check more details about Valletta ferry services.
Getting to the Three Cities by water taxi
An authentic Maltese way of getting around. A small wooden boat known as dgħajsa for max 6 persons.
The boat was developed in the 17th century and was widely used to transport passengers in Grand Harbour.
The ride costs 2€ and you can find them below the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta and in Three Cities Malta in front of the Martime Musem in Birgu.
Getting to the Three Cities by bus
Take a bus number 1, 2, 3 or 4.
The journey takes between 15-25 minutes. Depends on which bus line you take.
Costs of the ticket is 2€.
Tip: Check more details about Malta Public Transport.
Getting to the Three Cities by taxi or car
Taking a car or taxi to Three Cities Malta is not the best idea.
At first, taxis can be more expensive and because Three Cities is mostly pedestrianized, you can’t reach many locations by car.
⬇️ WATCH OUR VIDEO HOW TO TAKE THE FERRY FROM SICILY TO MALTA ⬇️
WHAT TO SEE IN THREE CITIES MALTA?
Three cities are easily walkable. And you can do it on your own or with a walking tour.
Tip: Get your tickets for a Three cities walking tour incl. entrance to Inquisitor’s palace here.
What to see in Senglea (L-Isla)
It was part of the city of Birmula. When the Order of Saint John came to Malta, they decided to build three cities on this land. They started with Senglea and continued with Vittoriosa and Cospicua. The rest of the country was named Cottonera and was surrounded by the Cottonera Lines.
The name Senglea comes from the grand master who built it, Claude de la Senglea gave the town part of his name.
Senglea Waterfront
A walk along Senglea Waterfront is worth it, there you will find restaurants, cafes, and fast food stalls. The restaurants have tables right by the dock, so you can enjoy a meal or a drink with a beautiful view of Vittoriosa and Fort St. Angelo.
The Waterfront also has its charm in the evening when the sun sets.
Fortifications of Senglea
The city of Senglea and its fortifications were built as a result of the attack in 1551. After the attack, the Order of St. John had other defensive facilities built, and two more fortresses were built a year later. The first of them was Fort St. Elmo on the tip of Valletta and the second was Fort St. Michael, which was built on the l’Isola (Senglea) peninsula.
Today, all that remains of Senglea’s fortifications are the seaward bastions and part of the landfront.
Senglea’s fortifications have been on Malta’s tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998, as part of the Knights’ Fortifications around the Harbours of Malta.
Gardjola Gardens
A small park with a garden at the tip of the Senglea peninsula. If you visit this place, you will not be disappointed, it offers a breathtaking view of the Grand Harbour and Valletta located on the opposite side of the shore.
Senglea stairs and streets
Since Senglea was bombed during the Second World War, its streets were rebuilt as well as many historical buildings.
Walk through the narrow streets of Senglea and discover the sights and monuments of the old town.
Tip: Read our article about 5 Days Malta itinerary.
What to see in Cospicua (Bormla)
A double-fortified port city in the south-eastern part of Malta. Together with Vittoriosa and Senglea, they are part of the famous Three Cities of Malta, which are located in the Grand Harbor to the east of the capital city of Valletta.
Cospicua or Bormla has been inhabited since Neolithic times. The order of St. John built the fortifications to protect the city and its two neighboring towns, the construction of the fortifications, bastions, and walls took more than 70 years.
Bormla Waterfront
The small park in the Dock 1 area is a good start to your exploration of the Three Cities.
Shops and restaurants line this promenade on one side. The dock is connected by a couple of bridges and thus connects two parts of the city.
Bormla Waterfront is a great point if you are going to visit Birgu Waterfront, it is a nice walk along the harbor and you can reach Fort St. Angelo.
Matthew Pandolfino – Kinetic Sculpture
Statue on display near Dock 1 Cospicua. Designed by artist Matthew Pandolfino, the sculpture combines a traditional Maltese boat with a ball and aircraft – all linked to the Dock No. 1 area.
St. Helen’s Gate
The gate is located in the middle of the curtain of St. Helena and serves as the main entrance to the city of Cospicua. To this day, if you go to visit the Three Cities by bus, your bus will go right through the gate.
It was built in the Baroque style according to the designs of Charles François de Mondion in 1736. The gate itself is located only a 350m walk from the Cottonera Lines, known as the defensive walls of the Three Cities.
Immaculate Conception Church
The parish church was built before the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.
The designs of the church are attributed to Vincenzo Casanova while the designs of the bell towers are attributed to Lorenzo Gafà.
The dome contains paintings of Ezekiel, David, Moses, and Isaiah by Giuseppe Calì from 1884. The church stands above Dock 1. You will notice it when you arrive by ferry.
Cospicua stairs and streets
When you wander through the streets of Cospicua, you might come across a set of two staircases on Triq San Piju X.
These stairs are not exactly a tourist attraction of the Three Cities Malta, but they came to us as an interesting element of the city and its architecture.
Tip: Read our article on how to spend 1 day in Valletta.
What to see in Vittoriosa (Birgu)
Also known as Birgu or “Victorious City” it is an old walled city on the south side of the Grand Harbour. Thanks to its strategic location, it has a rich history of maritime, mercantile, and military activities.
It served as the base of the Order of St. John and was the capital of Malta from 1530 to 1571.
Birgu played a very important role in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.
Birgu Waterfront
A perfect place for long walks, amazing photos, and dining. Nearby you will find restaurants and bars with a view of the harbor and the sea, as well as the Senglea peninsula or opposite Valletta.
Fort St. Angelo
A fortified fortress in Birgu, Malta, located in the center of the Great Harbour. It was originally built as a castle called Castrum Maris already in the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, it was rebuilt by the Order of St. John into a fortress with a bastion called Fort Saint Angelo and is best known for being the headquarters of the Order during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.
A major reconstruction according to the designs of Carlos de Grunenbergh took place in the 17th century and still gives the current appearance of the fortress.
Malta at War Museum
War museum in the former barracks, which maps the history of Malta during the Second World War. The museum has an impressive collection of artifacts that range from weapons and uniforms to personal memorabilia and everyday items used by soldiers and civilians alike.
Malta Maritime Museum
The museum is located along the city port, just after passing through the gate, and houses a collection of more than twenty thousand items from the maritime history of the island of Malta. It is spread over two floors: on the upper floor, you will find boats, anchors, Roman amphorae, weapons, cannons, paintings, and uniforms. On the lower floor, there is a part dedicated to ship parts and a space dedicated to possible temporary exhibitions.
HOW TO GET AROUND THREE CITIES MALTA?
All three cities are easily walkable. Vittoriosa and Senglea are 1.2 km apart, and Senglea and Cospicua are 1.7 km apart. Keep in mind that a lot of the streets are pedestrian-only, and since the distances between cities are not great, it will be better if you go for a walk.
THREE CITIES MALTA HOTELS
The hotels in the Three Cities Malta are a good choice.
They are less frequented than Valletta, famous for tourism. Here you will find luxury hotels with a swimming pool on the roof, but also smaller boutique hotels or bed and breakfast hotels with more affordable prices.
Tip: Here are all your options for hotels in Three Cities.
WHERE TO EAT IN THREE CITIES MALTA
In the Three Cities, you will find a lot of good restaurants, bistros, and refreshments.
Most of them are located on and near Waterfronts. Of course, fresh seafood and fish cannot be missing from the menu, but you will also find restaurants with local Maltese cuisine.
Dinner at the ports of the Three Cities, with a beautiful view of the Grand Harbour, Fort St.Angelo at sunset will never lose its charm.
BEST TIME TO VISIT THREE CITIES MALTA
The best time to visit the Three Cities Malta in general is any time of the year.
Malta has more than 300 sunny days per year. But if you are going to visit Malta for a holiday by the sea, the best time for your visit will be the summer months from June to the end of September.
We visited Malta in October and the weather was still perfect for swimming and walking around the whole country.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How to see the 3 cities in Malta?
The best way is to take a ferry or water taxi from Valletta. It takes only 15 minutes and costs 2€.
An alternative way is taking a bus from Valletta bus station. Buses no. 1, 2, 3 and 4 go directly to Three Cities Malta. The ticket costs 2€ and the journey takes about 20 minutes.
Can you walk between the Three Cities?
Yes, the Three Cities are small and walkable, you will even get several awesome views of the Grand Harbour and Valletta. In fact, walking is the best way how to explore Three Cities Malta.
How to get from 3 cities to Valletta?
By ferry
Valletta Ferry Service, Cospicua is also located just 200m from the Bormla bus stop near Dock 1.
The price for a one-way ticket is €2 and a return ticket is €3.80.
The journey takes approximately 15 minutes.
By bus
Take bus number 1,2 from the center of the Three Cities (Bormla, Cospicua bus stop) to Valletta Bus Terminal.
The ticket price is €2 and the journey takes about 20 minutes.
Are the 3 cities in Malta worth visiting?
These magical 3 cities are definitely worth a visit, you will find a history dating back to ancient times, as well as typical Maltese architecture with timber balconies on almost every corner of Malta. Even if you are not a history buff, Malta will charm you with its beautiful beaches and clear waters.
It is visited by more and more tourists every year, which is why we visited it at the end of October when there were always people on the beaches, but the tourist attractions in the cities were not as full as during the season.
How do I get to the three cities from Sliema?
By ferry
There is a direct ferry between Sliema Ferry Terminal and VFS Valletta.
The journey by ferry takes around 15 minutes and costs €1.50 and a return ticket costs €2.80.
When in Valletta, ferry boats to the Three Cities Malta depart regularly from Grand Harbor (near the bus stop Lascaris).
OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES
Accommodation: We use Booking.com where we always find great deals for hotels.
For hostels, we use Hostelworld where we find cheaper options and meet new people.
Rental cars: To rent your car with free cancellation check out Discover Cars.
Ferries: For cheap ferry tickets worldwide we use Direct Ferries.
All travel options in one place: Omio.com we use for easy travel planning where we can find trains, buses, ferries, and more.
Tours and other activities: Wherever we go we look at GetYouGuide to find the best tours and many other activities around the world!
Travel insurance: Never travel without travel insurance! Ekta works all over the world and has 10 years of experience in the industry. It is your right choice!
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