Malta Cruise – Short Holidays in Malta

Malta’s location in the center of the Mediterranean has established itself for centuries as a major port of call. Its natural ports and experienced sailors have been used and exploited from prehistory to the present day. In fact, in recent years, cruise ships have listed Malta as one of Europe’s top destinations, visiting all year round, so much so that Malta has been awarded the 2008 Seatrade Insider Award as Destination of the Year.

The imposing historical bastions that enclose the port are the first scene that passengers contemplate. This setting has welcomed over 250 cruise ships a year and over 400,000 passengers, all eager to disembark and explore our beautiful Maltese island, if only for a day. The Grand Harbor is the largest natural harbor in Europe and welcomes a large number of cruise ships as a port of call, return port and home port. Today, the Port of Valletta is one of the top ten cruise ports in the Western Mediterranean Region.

Valletta – Capital of Malta

While some city centers are often miles away from the port and therefore require a considerable amount of travel time, Malta’s capital, Valletta, is within easy reach of the La Valletta, allowing passengers to explore at ease! Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a center for theatre, history, cafe life, wine bars and shopping. If you don’t intend to walk downtown, Valletta’s new waterfront cruise terminal is itself a one-stop shop where cruise ships and their passengers can cater to their every need; check-in and baggage services, porters, duty-free shopping, a tourist information service, food and beverage facilities, retail stores, taxi services, and a public bus service.

About Malta

Thanks to Malta’s small size, you can see a lot when a cruise ship stops. Visitors can book a series of guided tours to the three cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua), Valletta, the medieval “silent city” of Mdina or the prehistoric temples. You can also visit the Crafts Village at Ta’ Qali. If the stopover allows for a full day trip, visitors can also experience Gozo’s sleepy little sister island. Many cruise ship visitors are often so impressed with Malta that they return within a few months for a longer stay to explore Maltese culture and lifestyle.

When the cruise starts or ends in Malta, it would be a great idea to stay for a few days in a central hotel in Malta to explore what the islands have to offer. The Maltese Islands offer a great selection of 5 and 4 star hotels, not to mention the varied shops, wide gastronomic offer, historical and archaeological sites, spa and sports facilities, as well as extensive entertainment and nightlife options.