Valletta Shore Excursions
Malta · 12 independent tours
What can catch you out in Valletta
Relayed from official sources — not our verdict. We pass on what the authorities say, word for word, and leave the judgement to you.
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Pickpockets on the buses
Pickpocketing has happened on the bus routes between Valletta and St Julian’s, with thieves targeting crowded buses in summer. Be cautious using ATMs and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
as reported by UK FCDO — travel advice for Malta · 23 Jun 2026
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Drink spiking in Paceville
Criminals have drugged people in some bars and gentlemen’s clubs in the Paceville district. Keep your drink in sight so it can’t be spiked.
as reported by UK FCDO — travel advice for Malta · 23 Jun 2026
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Swimming — watch the flags
A red flag means dangerous conditions. Swim within designated zones and take extra care where there are no lifeguards, flags or signs.
as reported by UK FCDO — travel advice for Malta · 23 Jun 2026
On a cruise? Your ship’s port talk is the authority on the day — check that too.
Across Malta — laws & safety
National rules and risks that apply anywhere in Malta — relayed from official sources, not our verdict. We pass on what the authority says and leave the judgement to you.
Laws that catch visitors out
- Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties — expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling them.
- Smoking cannabis in public is illegal and brings a fine; public possession over 7g carries long jail sentences and heavy fines.
- Drug offences can also lead to a Schengen ban of up to 5 years, alongside fines or detention.
Dress code
Malta’s churches enforce a modest dress code. At St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta (the must-see), the official guidance is "this is a church, please make sure to dress appropriately… please bring a shawl to cover", and stiletto or narrow heels are not allowed.
via St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta — official visitor guidance · 24 Jun 2026
Photography
At St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, flash photography is not allowed, and filming or audio recording is prohibited without prior written consent.
via St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta — official visitor guidance · 24 Jun 2026
Drones
Drone flying in Malta follows the common EU rules (EASA — Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Open category). You must register as a drone operator before flying any drone that has a camera and is not a toy; a single registration is recognised across the EU/EEA. Label the drone with your operator ID, keep within the Open-category limits (subcategories A1/A2/A3), and check the national “geographical zones” that restrict or ban flying near airports, over crowds and at sensitive sites. Register and check the zone map through Transport Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate before you travel.
via EASA — EU civil-drone rules (Regulation (EU) 2019/947), Open category · 25 Jun 2026
Scams to watch
Pickpocketing happens on the bus routes between Valletta and St Julian’s, with thieves targeting crowded buses in summer. Criminals have drugged people in some bars and "gentlemen’s clubs" in the Paceville district. Robbery, bag-snatching and theft from parked cars also occur, and online romance, business and job scams targeting British nationals are increasing.
Relayed from UK FCDO travel advice — Malta · checked 18 Jul 2026
Traffic drives on the left. Look right first when you cross the road.
Docking & terminals in Valletta
Ships berth alongside in the Grand Harbour, a deep-water harbour with seven berths across three passenger terminals, accommodating up to three cruise ships at once.
- Valletta Waterfront (Pinto Wharf) — Below Valletta city centre, which sits on a height above the harbour (Barrakka Lift (~€1 return) to Upper Barrakka Gardens, or stairs, taxis, or buses)
Mobility & step-free access
Getting around between the pier and town:
- Walk — Most sights are within the small peninsula city.
- Barrakka Lift — Elevator from the Valletta Waterfront up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
- Bus — Main terminus just outside the city gate; routes across Malta including Mdina and the airport.
- Water Taxi — Traditional dgħajsa boats cross the Grand Harbour from the Waterfront to the Three Cities.
Step-free options vary by pier and by the day — confirm the specifics with your operator and the ship’s guest-services desk before booking.
Your exact pier is assigned per sailing — confirm it on the ship’s daily programme or gangway signage before heading ashore.
Getting around & must-sees in Valletta
Getting around
Valletta is a compact, walkable peninsula city; a lift connects the cruise waterfront to the upper city, with buses, water taxis, and taxis also available.
- Walk — Most sights are within the small peninsula city.
- Barrakka Lift — Elevator from the Valletta Waterfront up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
- Bus — Main terminus just outside the city gate; routes across Malta including Mdina and the airport.
- Water Taxi — Traditional dgħajsa boats cross the Grand Harbour from the Waterfront to the Three Cities.
Must-see sights
- St John's Co-Cathedral — Baroque cathedral of the Knights, containing Caravaggio's 'Beheading of St John'.
- Upper Barrakka Gardens & the Saluting Battery — Best harbour viewpoint; noon cannon firing takes place here.
- Grand Master's Palace — Former seat of the Knights of St John.
- The Three Cities (Birgu/Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua) — Historic fortified towns across the harbour from Valletta.
- Mdina — Malta's walled former capital, known as the 'Silent City', a short ride inland.
Taxis & ride-hailing — Bolt work here — Bolt lists Malta (Valletta) as an active city in its own directory. (confirm in the app — you’ll need mobile data).
Getting back to the pier
Taxis, hop-on hop-off buses, and public bus Route 130 all serve the Valletta Waterfront cruise pier; no dedicated cruise shuttle operates.
- Taxi — Taxi booking office located on the Valletta Waterfront promenade at established rates.
- Hop-on hop-off bus — Tickets available from coloured booths on the Waterfront promenade.
- Public bus — Route 130 runs between Valletta Terminus in the city centre and the 'Waterfront' bus stop.
- Walk — Cruise port is within easy reach via walking routes, per the official port.
Key facts only — confirm times, fares and seasonal openings locally.
Operator policies we’ve checked in Valletta
Before a tour earns its trust pills, we read the operator’s own site — their terms, cancellation and accessibility pages — and relay what they state. These are the operators’ own terms, not our verdicts; confirm when booking.
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ColourMyTravel
- Accessibility — It is generally accessible but it includes streets with stairs that might offer no alternative method of passage (Three Cities tour); Mdina tour notes catacombs/WWII shelters/St Paul's Grotto are underground with a number of stairs.
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Malta Segway Tours
- Free cancellation — verified on the operator’s own site
- Accessibility — Minimum age 12; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult; weight requirement 45kg to 113kg; pregnant women not permitted to use segways
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My Dream Malta
- Cancellation policy — Full refund only if cancelled a week or more ahead.
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Robert Arrigo & Sons Limited
- Accessibility — If you or any member of your party have any disabilities, it is extremely important that we make the necessary arrangements to make your holiday go smoothly (customers asked to contact reservations@robertarrigo.com before booking)
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Xlendi Pleasure Cruises
- Cancellation policy — No changes or refunds within 24 hours of booking; full refund only if the company cancels for weather (their site).
Eating & shopping in Valletta
Restaurants, cafés and bars concentrate along the Valletta Waterfront at the cruise port and in the city centre around Republic Street and Merchants Street.
Where to eat
- Valletta Waterfront (Pinto Stores) — Restored harbourside promenade at the cruise port with restaurants, cafés and bars.
- City centre — Republic Street and Merchants Street — Eateries in the city centre near the city gates, with a promenade, gardens and fountains nearby.
Local specialities
- Pastizzi — Filled pastry, available with ricotta or peas.
- Ftira — Traditional Maltese bread.
- Fenkata — Traditional Maltese rabbit dish.
- Gbejniet — Maltese cheeselets.
Areas and specialities as described by the source — not our recommendations; confirm openings and prices locally.
Local know-hows in Valletta
Money
- Currency
- Euro
- Cards
- International bank cards are accepted widely across the islands.
- ATMs
- ATMs can be found all over the islands.
Practicalities
- Language
- Maltese and English (both official).
- Tap water
- Mains tap water is treated and disinfected to be safe to drink — keeping the supply safe to drink is a legal requirement, met by the Water Services Corporation, Malta's national water utility.
- Plugs
- Rectangular three-pin plugs (similar to the United Kingdom); 230V, 50Hz.
Key facts to know before you step off — confirm anything time-sensitive locally.
Port busyness in Valletta
Moderately busy
A small peninsula capital within a large harbour conurbation; up to three ships can berth alongside at once, but crowds disperse across the island and wider Malta reasonably well.
Peak pattern: Busiest late morning to early afternoon when ship tour waves concentrate on Republic Street, St John's Co-Cathedral and Upper Barrakka Gardens; multiple ships common on peak-season days.
Quieter: Calmer early morning before passengers come ashore, and during shoulder or off-peak season.
- Up to three ships berthing alongside simultaneously
- Compact peninsula city centre funnels visitors
- Key sights concentrate foot traffic noticeably
- Many passengers disperse island-wide, easing city crowds
This shows a typical day for the time of year — actual crowds vary on your date, and it isn’t a guarantee.
What we’ve checked in Valletta — and when
We last checked the facts on this page between 10 Jun 2026 and 23 Jun 2026. Live travel advisories refresh automatically from the official sources.
- Docking & getting ashore
- Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 10 Jun 2026
- Getting around
- Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 10 Jun 2026
- How busy it gets
- Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 10 Jun 2026
- What can catch you out
- Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 23 Jun 2026
- Operator policies
- From each operator’s own site and terms
- Travel advisories
- FCDO (GOV.UK) & US State Department · refreshed automatically