Valletta is one of the easiest ports: walk to the Upper Barrakka Lift and ride up into the city. St John's Co-Cathedral (Caravaggio) is open Monday-Saturday 9:00 am-4:45 pm, closed Sundays, 15 euros (seniors 12). A five-minute ferry crosses to the Three Cities.
Where Valletta lies
VallettaAvignonBarcelonaRomeGenoaMarseilleRavennaSavonaAjaccioAlicanteAlmeríaAmalfi and PositanoBastiaBilbaoCadizCagliariCannesCartagenaCataniaGibraltarIbizaLa SpeziaLivornoMahón, MenorcaMalagaMessinaMonacoNaplesOlbiaPalermoPalma de MallorcaPortoferraioPortofino / Santa Margherita LigurePulaRovinjSaint-TropezSalernoSèteŠibenikSorrentoTarragonaToulonValenciaVillefranche-sur-Mer and NiceZadarWhere your ship docks
Ships dock at Valletta Cruise Port on the Valletta Waterfront in the Grand Harbour. You step off onto the waterfront promenade.
Shuttle. Not needed. Hop-on hop-off buses sell tickets at booths on the waterfront.
Getting to the sights
| The way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Barrakka Lift to Valletta city (Upper Barrakka Gardens) | Short walk plus lift ride | Not verified |
| Walk to Valletta city | About 15 minutes | Free |
| Bus route 130 to Valletta bus terminus | Unverified | 2.00 euros winter (Oct 18 2026-Jun 12 2027), 2.50 euros summer, paid on board |
| Fast ferry or dghajsa water taxi to Three Cities (Birgu) | About 5 minutes | Not verified |
| Bus or taxi to Mdina | Unverified | Bus 2.00 euros winter |
Upper Barrakka Lift to Valletta city (Upper Barrakka Gardens)
- Walk along the waterfront to the lift.
- Ride up to Upper Barrakka Gardens.
Port calls it the quickest route.
Walk to Valletta city
- Follow signs uphill.
Steep with steps.
Bus route 130 to Valletta bus terminus
- Bus stop 'Waterfront'.
Fast ferry or dghajsa water taxi to Three Cities (Birgu)
- Walk to Lascaris Wharf (short walk from the terminal).
Bus or taxi to Mdina
- From Valletta bus terminus.
What to see
St John's Co-Cathedral
Baroque interior and Caravaggio's 'Beheading of St John'.
- How
- Walk in Valletta.
- Time
- 1-1.5 hours
- Tickets
- Mon-Sat 9:00 am-4:45 pm (last entry 4:15 pm). Closed Sundays and public holidays. Adult 15 euros, seniors and students 12 euros, under 12 free with an adult.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Views over the Grand Harbour; saluting battery.
- How
- Top of the lift.
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Tickets
- Free gardens.
Three Cities (Birgu, Senglea)
Quieter historic towns across the harbor.
- How
- 5-minute ferry.
- Time
- 2 hours
- Tickets
- Free to walk.
Mdina
Silent walled hilltop city.
- How
- Bus or taxi.
- Time
- 2-3 hours
- Tickets
- Free to walk.
Your day, hour by hour
Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.
- 8:30 Off the ship; walk to the Upper Barrakka Lift.
- 8:45 Upper Barrakka Gardens.
- 9:15 Walk Republic Street.
- 9:30-10:45 St John's Co-Cathedral (not Sunday).
- 11:00 Grandmaster's Palace area.
- 12:30 Lunch.
- 13:45 Lift down; ferry to the Three Cities.
- 15:30 Ferry back to Lascaris Wharf.
- 16:00 On board 60 minutes before all-aboard.
What goes wrong, and how to avoid it
Beware
- St John's is closed Sundays and public holidays.
- Steep streets and stairs in Valletta.
- Hot and sunny in summer; little shade.
Do this
- Malta drives on the left and uses UK-style 3-pin plugs.
- Buy a hop-on hop-off ticket at the waterfront booths if you want Mdina without buses.
Fees, money and access
Rules & fees
- Modest dress expected in the Co-Cathedral (dress code not stated on the official page, check).
Accessibility
The Upper Barrakka Lift avoids the steep climb. Valletta's main streets are fairly level along the ridge, but cross-streets are steep with steps.
Money
Euro. Cards widely accepted. Malta Public Transport bus fare can be paid on board.
More of the Western Mediterranean
Sources & what we could not confirm · 3 sources · checked 2026-11
- Valletta Cruise Port, transportation (official)
- Malta Public Transport, fares (official)
- St John's Co-Cathedral (official)
- Upper Barrakka Lift fare.
- Three Cities ferry fare.
- Co-Cathedral dress code.