The Best Three Cities Tours in Malta

A narrow, colourful street in Birgu, one of Malta's Three Cities, with traditional Maltese houses, wooden balconies, and a dome of a church visible in the background. This image is captured on a Three Cities walking tour.

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Are you ready to book the best Three Cities tours in Malta? I’ve been on many tours in these historic neighbourhoods. And, I have personally vetted all the recommended tours in this article.

There are quiet a few Three Cities tours, but it’s difficult to tell which ones are worth the money. That’s why I’m here to help you. All you need to do is book a Three Cities tour and have a fantastic time exploring!

Don’t have time to read the full article? Book the Three Cities Walking Tour. It has 5 star reviews!

You’ll find the best Three Cities tours below. This will help you make the right choice when booking your tour.

Three Cities Tours: The Choice

The Three Cities’ tours are quite different from each other. My personal favourite was the walking tour because it had a small group and an engaging guide who made the whole experience so much fun.

If you’re more into boat tours, you can hop on one that takes you around the Three Cities and the surrounding areas. It’s a great way to see everything from a different perspective.

Now, if you’ve got about 4 hours to spare, I recommend going for the combined walking and boat tour.

I’ve got all the details you need to know about each tour, so you can choose the one that’s perfect for you.

Two people walking down a picturesque, narrow street in one of Malta's Three Cities, surrounded by traditional Maltese architecture with colorful doors, windows, and balconies.
Exploring the Narrow Streets on the Three Cities Walking Tour

Best Choice: Three Cities Walking Tour

⭐️ Rating: 5 our of 5 Stars |⏳Tour Length: 2 hours | 👉 Check Rates and Availability

If you are considering Three Cities tours, this one is exceptional. It’s run by a one-person tour agency. Your guide will be the company owner.

The walk starts at the Cospicua – Valletta Ferry, where you’ll meet your guide. During the walk, you will see the beautiful waterfronts of Senglea and Cospicua. Then, you will reach the fortifications of Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa.

The tour takes you through the most pretty streets and palaces built by the Knights of St. John in 1530.

I loved how our guide, Chris, delivered the tour. He mixed history with anecdotes, keeping us engaged and entertained throughout. Despite the wealth of information, it never felt overwhelming.

Chris is honestly one of the best guides I have ever met. He has great energy and is a great storyteller. The two hour tour felt like 30 minutes. Birgu is also very beautiful to walk through. – Sabine from Netherlands (see more reviews)

Chris shared some lesser-known interesting facts and funny stories. One such story was about Birgu’s three gates, which were built by the knights to confuse the Ottomans.

Another amusing tale was about the “goat gates” next to the houses. These small gates, as seen in the picture, were used for goat milk delivery. People would open the main door. But, they would leave the goat gates closed. This prevented the goats from entering the house.

Limestone walls and bright blue doors with small goat gates adorned with hanging plants, seen during a free walking tour of the Three Cities in Malta.
Goat Gates in Cospicua, Malta

Less than 15 people were on the tour, which felt just right. The tour ran at a comfortable pace, making it perfect even if walking isn’t your forte.

The tour isn’t expensive and is worth every penny. Plus, if your plans change, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the tour.

👉 Check rates and availability

Three Cities Boat Tour from Sliema

⭐️ Rating: 4.8 our of 5 Stars |⏳Tour Length: 1.5 hours | 👉 Check Rates and Availability

This a 1.5-hour boat tour that takes you around the Grand Harbour, Marsamxett Harbour and Three Cities.

We started in Sliema and made our way towards Manoel Island. The boat took us past Ta’ Xbiex and Msida before turning towards Valletta.

As you cruise around the capital city, you can enjoy the views of the stunning architecture and churches. Then, you will cruise towards the Three Cities and explore the harbour between Senglea and Birgu before ending up in Cospicua.

Along the way, you will see fortifications built by the Knights of St. John way back in the 16th century. The old architecture is beautiful, and there are so many churches to admire. The harbour is filled with charming fishing boats and massive, expensive yachts. It was quite a sight!

It was a nice quiet boat ride around the Three Cities and harbours. There’s a voice over educating you of each points or stops. Definitely worth the time and money. – John from the United Kingdom (see more reviews)

There is an audio guide in different languages. You will hear stories of battles and heroes defending Malta. It also highlights the island’s rich cultural heritage and the forts’ importance.

Numerous boats and yachts docked in the harbour of Malta's Three Cities, with historic buildings and fortifications lining the waterfront.
Boats and Historic Architecture seen during a Three Cities Tour in Malta

If you like history or photography, or just love boat rides, you will enjoy this tour.

👉 Check rates and availability

Three Cities Tour with Boat Ride

⭐️ Rating: 4.4 our of 5 Stars |⏳Tour Length: 4 hours | 👉 Check Rates and Availability

This is another great tour of Three Cities. It includes walking and a boat ride.

The tour starts with a panoramic drive past Cospicua. You’ll then reach Vittoriosa, a city that dates back to the time of the Order of the Knights of Saint John. You’ll take a walking tour through Vittoriosa’s narrow streets. You’ll admire historical buildings and beautiful narrow streets.

I loved how our guide, Maria, delivered the tour. She was knowledgeable, easy to understand, and looked after our large group so well. Despite the wealth of information, Maria kept us engaged and entertained throughout.

Maria was truly amazing! Very prepared and very nice! I recommend his tour! – Lisa from Australia (see more reviews)

The tour’s highlight was a trip on a traditional Maltese Frejgatina around the harbour creeks.

The tour ends in Senglea, where you’ll enjoy stunning 360° views of the Grand Harbour and Valletta from the Gardjola Gardens. You will also see the impressive Fort Sant Angelo, where Grand Master Jean Perisot De La Valette led the defense there during the Great Siege of 1565.

Boats docked in front of a historic limestone fortification with a watchtower in Gardjola Gardens in Senglea, part of Malta's Three Cities.
A View of Gardjola Gardens and the Watchtower in Senglea

Throughout the tour, our guide shared fascinating stories and lesser-known facts about Malta’s history. I’ve done several tours in Malta, but still learned new things on this one.

The tour had a good balance of walking and sightseeing, with the boat trip providing a nice break.

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Final Thoughts: The Best Three Cities Tours

All three tours visit the historical Three Cities, but each one is unique and caters to different interests.

First, the two-hour walking tour is perfect if you prefer a small group experience with fewer than 15 people. You’ll explore Senglea’s waterfront, the streets, and palaces of Vittoriosa and Cospicua. The guide is a fantastic storyteller, sharing lesser-known facts and funny stories that make the tour really stand out.

Next, there’s the 1.5-hour boat tour. It’s great if you want stunning views from the water. You’ll see not just the Three Cities but also the Grand Harbour and the surrounding areas. There’s an audio guide in different languages, so you’ll learn all about the history and significance of the sites you’re seeing.

Lastly, there’s the 4-hour tour that combines walking and a boat ride. This one starts with a big drive past Cospicua. Then, you take a walk through Vittoriosa’s narrow streets and old buildings. You will also get to walk inside Senglea and enjoy the incredible views from the Gardjola Gardens.

Which tour suits you best? Book your tour now and enjoy the Three Cities of Malta.

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