Whenever you look over the Grand Harbour from the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, you’ll see the Three Cities (Vittoriosa , Senglea and Cospicua). These are fascinating places to explore in Malta. They have a rich history, promenades with supreme views over Valletta and are more relaxing than the bustling capital Valletta. But what is the best way to visit the Three Cities? How to get from Valletta to the Three Cities and back? No worries, we got you covered.
In this post, we’ll share the different options to choose from: by bus, by car or by boat (definitely our favorite). By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to get there and we’ll give you some insider tips to make your journey smooth and enjoyable. Don’t forget to check out the map we’ve included in this post, so you can easily find your way!
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Option 1 – From Valletta to the Three Cities by bus
The first option to get from Valletta to the Three Cities is by bus. The price for a bus ticket varies dependent on the time of the year. A bus ticket in winter is 2.00 EUR, while in summer, a bus ticket is 2.50 EUR. You can buy your tickets directly from the bus driver (pay in exact change) or by using a contactless credit/debit card and tapping it on the reader next to the driver. A ticket is valid for 2 hours and within these 2 hours you can board other buses without the need to buy another ticket.
The main bus terminal in Valletta is right outside the city, near the Triton fountain (see our map). Here you can take a bus on Lines 1 (Lines 2, 3 and 4 are also an option). Buses on Line 1 depart every 20 minutes. You can find the timetable on the official website of Malta Public Transport (https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/route/1).
We would suggest to step off the bus at the Bieb bus stop (indicated on our map). From here you can easily explore the Three Cities on foot. The Three Cities area is small and walkable and according to us walking is the best way to explore this area. Along the way, you’ll see some incredible views over the Grand Harbour and Valletta.
Option 2 – From Valletta to the Three Cities by car
To explore Malta and its sister island Gozo, we highly recommend to rent a car. And the car is also a valid option to get from Valletta to the Three Cities. Just keep in mind that it’s best not to enter the city center of Valletta by car. Otherwise you will have to pay a congestion charge. Therefore, we recommend to park your car just outside Valletta.
On our map, we indicated three parking areas right outside Valletta we used during our time in Malta. At the Public Car Park near the Triton Fountain, we noticed a man asking for money to park there. His presence seemed to depend on the weather. He was there on sunny days but the one day it rained during our time in Malta, he was absent. We’re not sure if his request was official, but he charged us 3 EUR for the whole day.
For a free alternative, check the street right next to this Public Car Park. Here we managed to park without any fees. Our third option, located a bit farther from the city center, is also worth considering, especially when other parking spots are full.
In the Three Cities, there is a great car park at Bieb (San Pawl), indicated on our map. This is a free and safe car park. The time you’ll need to get from Valletta to the Three Cities depends highly on the traffic, but expect it will take around 15 minutes.
Option 3 – From Valletta to the Three Cities by boat
Our favorite option to get from Valletta to the Three Cities is by boat. It is definitely the most scenic way to get from Valletta to the Three Cities and back. The cheapest option is to take the ferry that leaves from Valletta near Lill Bahhara to Cospicua. The boat trip takes around 10 minutes and costs 2 EUR for a single ride and 3.80 EUR for a return ride. If you opt for the return ride, the use of the Barrakka lift is included in your ticket.
You can easily buy your ticket at the kiosk, where you can pay cash or by card. Boats leave every half an hour. Keep in mind that during winter season, the boats stop operating around 7 pm. You can find the entire schedule on the official website: https://www.vallettaferryservices.com/schedule/
Insider tip: If you are waiting to catch the ferry in Cospicua, grab a coffee and something sweet at Bella Sicilia. It’s right next to the dock of the ferry and it’s a great place to relax and watch over the harbour. Our recommendation: Try the ‘pistachio bigna’. It’s like a profiterole covered in pistachio chocolate and filled with a smooth pistachio cream. It was our guilty pleasure during our time on Malta.
If you are looking for a more romantic way to cross the water, consider taking a traditional boat. These traditional boats are available right next to the ferry dock in Valletta. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes and a ticket costs 10 EUR per person. From the Three Cities to Valletta, you can find these traditional boats next to the Maritime Museum.
Where to stay in Valletta – Consider staying at the Three Cities
When planning a trip to Malta, most people immediately think of staying in Valletta. But if you’re looking for a quieter, more charming alternative, consider basing yourself in the Three Cities. We chose to stay in an Airbnb apartment here, and it turned out to be a great decision.
The major advantage was the ease of finding a parking. In Valletta, parking can be a real challenge, especially if you want to park near your hotel. We always found a spot near our apartment in the Three Cities. This made it very convenient to explore the island by car without worrying about where to leave it in the evening.
Another highlight was the atmosphere of the Three Cities. Walking along the waterfront in the evening, watching the lights reflect in the water of the harbour was a perfect way to end our days. It felt less crowded and more authentic compared to the busy streets of Valletta.
That’s it! As you could read in this post, there are plenty of options to get from the Three Cities to Valletta and back. If you would have any other suggestions or recommendations on how to get from Valletta to the Three Cities, do let us know!
Happy travels!
Matthias & Mieke
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