The Three Cities and Valletta Tour
The Knights of St John played a solid role in Malta’s history. Discover various aspects of Malta’s capital city of Valletta and the Three Cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea.
The locations visited during the Knights Tour include:
Valletta, Malta’s Capital City
Valletta is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe. The capital contains buildings from the 16th century onwards and it was built during the rule of the Order of Saint John. Most of the city is essentially Baroque in character.
Experience the following locations in Valletta:
St John’s Co-Cathedral – This is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral in Valletta that is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The cathedral was built by the Order of Saint John between 1572 and 1577 and it was designed by the Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar. Inside the cathedral you can find notable works of art such as The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist by Caravaggio. The interior of the church is considered to be one of the finest examples of high Baroque architecture in Europe.
Upper Barrakka Gardens – A public garden in Valletta in which you can enjoy spectacular views of the Grand Harbour. Back in the day, the gardens were originally used to offer recreation to the Knights but they were later on opened to the general public.
Fort St Elmo, The National War Museum – The war museum in Valletta houses an extensive collection of items that will take you back to prehistoric times. The artefacts are displayed in chronological order, some dating back to the Bronze Age. Among the various artefacts are medieval armour and other equipment from the time of the Knights in Malta.
The Malta Experience – This audio-visual show will transport you back in time to discover 7,000 years of history. The show is educational, informative and entertaining and it depicts the island’s turbulent history through the ages. The show is available in 17 languages.
Valletta Waterfront – The Valletta Waterfront, built by Grand Master Pinto stretches along the water’s edge and the historical Quay Wall where the Knights and other European merchants used to unload their goods. Nowadays, the port welcomes cruise passengers and it is an excellent place to dine close to the capital city.
The Three Cities
The Three Cities is a collection of three fortified cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. The latter two cities were both founded by the Order of Saint John in the 16th and the 17th centuries. Vittoriosa was built in the Middle Ages.
Experience the following locations in the Three Cities:
Vittoriosa – Also known as Birgu, Vittoriosa is the oldest of the Three Cities. It served as the base of the Order of Saint John from the 1530 to 1571. Vittoriosa played a major role in the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.
Cospicua – Also known as Bormla, Cospicua is a double-fortified harbour city in the south of Malta. Cospicua is known for its feast on the 8th of December, commemorating the Immaculate Conception or the Virgin Mary.
Senglea – Also known as Isla, Senglea is a fortified city in the south of Malta. The city managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great Siege of Malta. Senglea is popular for the statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer. This statue is located in the oratory of the basilica which is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary.
Explore the old cities with our Chauffeur Driven Service
- Price 2 to 4 persons – €108.00 per 4hour tour
- Price 5 to 8 persons – €160.00 per 4hour tour
Any extra hours
- €27.00 per hour (2 to 4 persons)
- €40.00 per hour (5 to 8 persons)
Terms and conditions:
*Entrance fees to heritage sites and museums are not included. Bookings are recommended
More persons can be added to each tour upon request and additional supplements will incur.
Pick-up times for Private Tours can be adjusted according to your specifications. Special Package pick up points are available from any location in Malta. Departure times are set between 09:00 hours and 10:30 hours daily (Monday – Sunday).
