Vittoriosa
is charming and pictureque
Welcome to Vittoriosa
Vittoriosa is only 800m long and 400m at its widest, so it's hard to get lost – it's a sheer pleasure to wander aimlessly through its flower-bedecked alleys. There are several interesting sights, and stunning views across to Valletta.
Top experiences in Vittoriosa
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Vittoriosa activities
Explore Malta in a Self-drive Electric Car Tour
The self drive electric-cars, complete with pre-programmed GPS not only take you on the perfect tour, but explain what you are looking at, too. Get all the benefits of an organized excursion with the freedom of being in your own quirky electric car. This tour encompasses everything from the famous Malta Film Studios, a trendy super yacht marina, and imposing forts to the tiny charming streets that characterize this area. With each turn of the wheel, your talking car tells you about the sights. More than 50 places of interest along the way to enjoy at your own pace. The cars are unbelievably fun, safe, and easy—not to mention environmentally responsible.Start off by admiring the yachts in the beautiful Grand Harbour Marina. Then enjoy the trendy waterfront lined with cafés and restaurants, before touring to the secluded sandy beach of Rinella Bay.In as little as two and a half hours, your car will take you around Malta’s famous Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua), Kalkara and Smart City. The incredible views from Gardjola Gardens are hard to leave, but with so many awe-inspiring churches, traditional piazzas, and architectural riches to see, you'll need to tear yourself away at some point. If history and culture is what brought you to this area, you sure won’t be disappointed. The car will drive you past all of the following museums so feel free to step out and allow yourself to be transported back in time whether it’s at the Maritime Museum, the Inquisitor’s Palace, National Museum of Ethnography, or Malta at War Museum.
Valletta Guided Walking Tour Including St John's Co-Cathedral
You’ll be picked up from your selected Malta hotel and taken to the entrance of the fortified city to begin your walking tour of Valletta, Malta’s capital city containing some of the country’s richest heritage. See all of the main attractions, landmarks and monuments of this fantastic city on a leisurely walk with your guide, who'll provide commentary about the sights you see throughout your tour, letting you enjoy a more meaningful and immersive experience. First, visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens, a beautiful public park whose terrace offers panoramic views of Grand Harbour and the old towns of Senglea and Vittoriosa. After soaking up the scenery, walk to St John’s Co-Cathedral, built for the Knights of St John in the 1500s. This sacred place of worship is a gem of Baroque architecture, as you'll discover as you wander through the towering halls. In the church's oratory and museum, marvel at spectacular works of art, including paintings by famed Italian artist Michelangelo Caravaggio. Walk past the Grandmasters’ Palace and the recently restored St. George’s Square before watching the Malta Experience, an audiovisual show where Malta’s history throughout the centuries is brought back to life. Afterward, your guide will drive you back to the hotel. You'll leave with a whole new appreciation for Maltese history, architecture, art and culture — not to mention the beautiful island scenery.
Malta Shore Excursion: Private tour of Valletta, Vittoriosa and Hagar Qim Temple
This private shore excursion into Malta’s history will take you from the cruise port in Valletta to Vittoriosa and the Hagar Qim temple. You’ll start with a boat ride across the harbor aboard a traditional Maltese boat called a dghajsa, cruising to the town of Vittoriosa, You will stroll through Vittoriosa’s quaint narrow streets with your guide, passing by the Church of St Lawrence, the Inquisitor’s Palace, and several auberges and beautiful palaces built during the time of the Knights. From Vittoriosa, you will venture to the southern side of the island, where you’ll visit Hagar Qim, an imposing prehistoric temple dating back to approximately 3600 BC. Many artifacts of interest have been unearthed at Hagar Qim, notably a decorated pillar altar, two table-altars and the ‘fat lady' statues, now on display in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. You'll then head back to Valletta, Malta’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have free time for lunch, and then you’ll continue the tour with a visit to the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Next, walk past Auberge de Castille, which houses the office of the Prime Minister, on your way to St John's Co-Cathedral, the 16th-century church built by the Knights of Malta. The Co-Cathedral also houses Malta’s finest piece of art, The Beheading of St John by Caravaggio. Leaving St John’s Co-Cathedral, you’ll pass through Valletta’s main thoroughfare, which will bring you to the Grandmaster’s Palace State rooms.You’ll then be returned to the cruise terminal.Worry-Free Shore Excursion: We will ensure your timely return to the Malta port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Malta: The Three Cities and Wine Tasting Tour
During the tour you will drive past Cospicua, a double fortified harbor city and the largest of the three. It was also given a title as Citta’ Cottonera, but erroneously the title is now used to define the whole region. You will then arrive in Vittoriosa. Vittoriosa is ideally situated for safe anchorage and over time it has developed a very long history with maritime, mercantile and military activities. Prior to the establishment of Valletta as capital and main city of Malta, military powers that wanted to rule the Maltese islands would need to obtain control of Vittoriosa due to its significant position in the Grand Harbour. The third city Senglea is also called Civitas Invicta because it managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great Siege of 1565. The name Senglea was given by the grandmaster who built it, Claude De La Sengle. The island on which Senglea lies was joined by a land bridge to Cospicua during the time of the Knights of St. John and as a result, it became peninsular in shape. During this tour you will walk through the various narrow streets shaded by many historic churches and buildings. You will then drive to the Marsovin Cellars in Marsa. The wine tasting tour commences with a historical introduction amongst original artefacts, followed by an explanation about the process of how the locally grown grapes are pressed, fermented and eventually transformed into wine. A walk through the 400-year-old ‘Ageing Cellars’ is an authentic and true piece of Maltese heritage. The wine sampling is held in the Marsovin wine bar, where trained staff guide guests through a wine tasting session to sample different Marsovin wines accompanied by a selecion of local savouries like maltese bread and cheese. At the bar one also has the opportunity to purchase local Marsovin wines. At the end of this tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel.
Vittoriosa and Senglea Half-Day Tour with St Lawrence Church
Leave your selected hotel on the island of Malta by air-conditioned coach and travel to Vittoriosa, the historic town originally known as Birgu. In the 16th century, Birgu and the neighboring towns Bormla and Isla defended the island when it was attacked by the Ottoman Empire. The battle was subsequently called the Great Siege of 1565, and the three towns were honored with new names, Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, by Malta’s Knights of St. John. Today, the towns are collectively referred to as the Three Cities.Walk around the center of Vittoriosa with your guide, and learn about the town’s history. After exploring the streets and old battlements, visit St. Lawrence’s Church. Reputedly one of the oldest churches in Malta, the imposing place of worship is said to have been given as a gift from the Normans in the 11th century. Head inside to marvel at its ornate Baroque interior and pink-tinted marble columns. Then, weather permitting, take a harbor boat for a tour along the Vittoriosa waterfront.Afterward, travel the short journey to the neighboring town of Senglea by coach. The town is popular for its views over Malta’s main harbor, Valletta’s peninsula. Take a walk along the seafront and gaze at the old fortifications that line the waterside.Having explored Senglea, head back to your coach and finish your tour with a hotel drop-off.
Malta Shore Excursion: Private Tour of Historic Palaces and Noble Homes
This private Malta shore excursion will introduce you to Maltese art and history through its stately palaces and noble homes in and around Valletta, Malta’s capital. You'll start with a visit to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for a panoramic view of Malta's natural harbors and the historic towns of Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa.Then, your private tour guide will lead you to Valletta's main thoroughfare, passing various imposing buildings such as the Auberge of Castille (home to the office of the Prime Minister), the austere facade of St John's Co-Cathedral and the impressing Grandmaster's Palace, set in the heart of Valletta. Next, you will arrive at Casa Rocca Piccola, a small 16th-century palace. It’s the private home of the de Piros (a noble Maltese family) and one of the last private Valletta palaces occupied today. Upon arrival, you will go on a guided tour through the chapel, library, a bedroom, two dining rooms, three drawing rooms, a collections exhibition and a WWII-era underground bomb shelter. You’ll then leave Valletta and head to the village of Naxxar, where you will visit Palazzo Parisio, an outstanding example of Maltese opulence. The interiors are rich, and the landscaped gardens further reflect the splendor of this gracious home.Before returning to your cruise ship, enjoy a scenic drive through Attard, Balzan and Lija in central Malta. Known as the Three Villages of Malta, these towns were home to many noble families during the Golden Age. With their charming village cores of narrow, winding streets lined with old homes and villas, the Three Villages are still considered an exclusive area.Worry-free Shore Excursion:We will ensure your timely return to the Valletta port for this activity. If you are not returned to the ship in time to board, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. See our terms and conditions for full details.