Valletta

The ship is close to the Capital, but it is about a 20 minute steep walk. A lift has just been built for an easy ride to the old town, costing 1 Euro return. It is about 300 meters from the cruise terminal: turn right when leaving the terminal and follow the waterfront road. Just before the road passes beneath an archway, cross to the lift entrance. A pleasant garden awaits at the upper level.

There are numerous taxis at the port.

Spectacular harbor-entrance webcam.

A printable map for taking with you.

Sailing into Valetta is probably this destination's highlight: welcome to the Middle Ages! Do not sleep late, as you will not want to miss it.

Malta's 7,000 years of history give cruise passengers plenty to see and do, from megalithic temples dating to around 3,000 BC—thought to be the world's oldest free-standing structures—to Mdina's old city, Valletta shopping, the Grand Master's palace, or simply people-watching by the waterfront.

Walk Valletta's colourful streets and see the Grandmaster's Palace, House of Parliament and Castille Palace. St John's Co-Cathedral is a gem and an absolute must for any tourist. Called the first complete example of high Baroque anywhere, it embodies the spiritual and military role of its patrons.

The Grand Master's Palace dominates Palace Square and has always served as Malta's seat of government: first for the knights, then the British, and now for the President's office. It can be visited free when parliament is not in session, and there is an awful lot to see inside.

Tourist information for Malta.

The old town's central area is pedestrianised and mainly flat, so it is easy to explore on foot and good for shopping.

Malta's hop-on/hop-off tours stop right outside the cruise terminal. Of the two routes, the red is largely urban and the blue largely countryside; a round trip takes abut 2 hours on the red route and 3 hours on the blue route.

Public buses provide an excellent service across the islands.

Malta taxis and ferries.

Mdina (11km), the island's former capital, is an impressive walled city rich in Medieval and Baroque architecture. Known as the Silent City because cars are prohibited, its sleepy calm is broken only by carriage-laden horses trotting through the streets and the gentle chatter of Mdina's inhabitants.

Take a boat trip to the spellbinding Blue Grotto, an impressive cave 50 metre-deep.

Crafts have enjoyed a revival in recent years, not only as interesting souvenirs but for their high cultural value to the Islands. Knitwear, basket ware and lace are among the crafts with a long history.

The small cruise terminal includes a well-stocked duty-free store with good bargains on liquor and tobacco products.

The Euro.

English, along with some Maltese.

WiFi is available in cafés on Valletta's main street, as well as in the restaurants and cafés beside the small cruise terminal.

Commercial centers and shops generally open from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 7 p.m.; some shops, especially supermarkets, open throughout the day. In tourist areas, many stay open until 10.00 p.m. Shops are normally shut on Sundays and Public Holidays, but open their doors when a cruise ship is in town.