
The cruise port of Valletta
Cruise ship pier location in Valletta
In Malta you dock in the capital Valletta. The port of Valletta is the largest natural harbor in Europe and extends several kilometers inland. There are several docks, shipyards, a naval port, ferry connections and a marina.
Cruise ships dock at the Valletta Waterfront, about halfway of the harbor, southwest of the historic city. Several ships can dock at the same time, so sometimes you're a little closer to or further from the center.
The center of Valletta is located in the upper part about 1 kilometer from the cruise port. You can easily walk there, but keep in mind the steep slopes. Some cruise passengers opt for an excursion to Mdina, on the center of the island.









Cruise to Valletta
Very often Valletta is on the program during a cruise vacation to Malta. This fascinating port city is conveniently located along the Western Mediterranean at one of the biggest natural harbors in Europe. Malta is full of history and offers great excursion possibilities for cruise passangers.
Valletta Cruise terminal
The Valletta Waterfront Cruise Terminal includes two terminals: Pinto Terminal and the Forni.
Inside Valletta cruise terminals you can find:
- telephones
- duty free shops
- toilet
- taxi, bus servises
Valletta Cruise facts
Language in Valletta
The language in Valletta is Maltese, but on touristic spots you can also use English.
Currency in Valletta
The currency in Valletta is Euro (€). You can find ATM’s along the city.
Opening times in Valletta
Opening times differ a lot around Malta, but generally are as follows:
- Monday to Saturday
- from 9.00h - 13.00h
- and 16.00h -18.00h/19.00h
On Sundays and holidays shops are closed. Of course there are exceptions
Landmarks and highlights in Valletta
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Fort St. Elmo
Fort St. Elmo is a fort and bastion in Valletta. It was built around the Grand Harbour and dating back to 1565
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Grand Haven
Grand Haven is a natural harbor of Malta. During the Second World War there occurred violent bombardments place.
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Grandmaster's Palace
It's a palace built by Grand Master Jean de la Vallette. The Grandmaster's Palace is dating back to 1565.
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Inn of Castile
Inn of Castile is a historic building used by the Prime Minister of Malta. It dates from 1574 and was built by architect Glormu Cassar.
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St. Jansco Cathedral
It's a cathedral and national monument in Valletta. St.Jansco Cathedral was built between 1573 and 1578 in command of Jean de la Cashier
Getting around in Valletta
It's easy to reach the center of Valletta from the cruise port. The distance is not that big, but mosts parts of Valletta are located higher up a hill. You can walk there, but if you want to skip the steep road a taxi can be a better option.
If you want to discover other places on the island like the former capital Mdina, you have frequent connections by public bus from Valletta.
Shore excursions around Valletta
Valletta itself has a fairly large and fascinating historic center with various interesting sights. You can spend a half to a full day. Frequently visited places are the Baracca Gardens, the Cathedral of St. John and the Grandmaster's Palace.
Malta is not so big, so it is perfectly possible to visit a number of other places on the island. Popular are the old capital Mdina with the bordering city of Rabat, the megalithic temples of Tarxien, Mnajdra and Hagar Qim and the crafts village of Ta 'Qali.
Weather in Valletta
Valletta is one of the warmest cities in Europe. Malta has a Subtropical-Mediterranean climate with dry and hot summers and humid winters. The average annual temperature in summer is between 27°C and 32°C and in winter is between 3°C and 5°C. During the summer from June to October the sea temperature exceeds 24°C
Local shore excursions in and around Valletta
You can discover Valletta on your own, book a shore excursion through the cruise line company or book a shore excursion from one of our partners. We offer shore excursions at local prices straight from the local companies.
Cruises to Valletta
The following cruise lines offer itineraries and schedules to and from Valletta:
AIDA, Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Cruise & Maritime, Crystal, Fred Olsen, HAL, Hapag Lloyd, Marella, MSC, NCL, Oceania, Princess, Royal Caribbean, RSSC, Seabourn, SeaDream, Silversea, Star Clippers, TUI