Explore the Three Cities of Malta: Cospicua, Birgu, and Senglea with a Boat Trip

Malta is renowned for its magnificent scenery and rich history, with its three cities offering something special to all types of tourists. Cospicua, Birgu, and Senglea, also known together as the Cottonera, are an integral part of Malta’s history and culture, having played an important part during both the Great Siege of Malta in 1565 and World War II.These three fascinating cities, each with its own unique character, are located close to one another near the Grand Harbour of Valletta, allowing you to experience all three within a single day trip. A boat tour through this historic triangle not only provides a unique perspective but also offers the opportunity to learn more about the past and present of these fascinating cities.

Preparing for your Boat Trip

The first step in setting off on your boat trip to explore Cospicua, Birgu, and Senglea is to decide when you’d like to go. Boat trips are available year-round in Malta, however peak times are during the summer months when temperatures are at their warmest and there’s the most visitors. Generally speaking, boats can be found operating between the months of April to October.The best way to get the most out of your adventure is to book a package tour with a reputable guide. Most tours include a round-trip transfer from Valletta to the Grand Harbour, complimentary snacks and drinks, and a sojourn through the picturesque fishing villages of Marsaxlokk and St.Peter’s Pool. Some tours may also include a visit to the nearby second-largest city in Malta, Mdina. Before booking, be sure to check whether your tour features a live guide as this allows you to learn more about the cities respective histories and architecture as you pass by them.Once booked and ready to go, be sure to arrive on time as most tours depart from Valletta between 8 am and 9 am. At this time, the air is at its freshest en route to the Grand Harbour, making it the perfect time for an early morning cruise.

Exploring Cospicua

Your boat tour begins in Cospicua, once known as “Beland” by its locals because it used to be a small fishing village near Birgu. Today Cospicua is one of Malta’s most picturesque cities and has been rebuilt as a fortified town with a unique Baroque style from the early 1700s. There’s plenty to explore here, from its fortified walls that were built in 1638 by Gian Battista Mulini to its majestic buildings such as Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s church or St James Gate.As with much of Malta’s architecture, there’s plenty of fascinating stories behind each building. Take for example Fort St Angelo, located right at the heart of Cospicua. It’s believed that since 1530 it has been used as a defensive fortification by the Knights of St.John and even Emperor Charles V. In 1981 it was classified as a Grade I listed property by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. There are also several attractions to explore such as St Helen’s Bastion where you can find two canons that were used during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Another unique feature of Cospicua is the Victoria Lines, a series of fortifications that extend across Malta from the south coast to the north coast and were largely built by The British around 1878-80 after they had taken over from the Order of St.John in 1799.

Visiting Birgu (Vittoriosa)

Next on your tour is Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa (or “victorious’ in Italian). Of all three cities, this one holds perhaps the most fascinating history of them all, having been inhabited since 3000 BCE and occupied multiple times throughout its illustrious life. In 1530 it was home to many important buildings, including the home of the Knights of St.John at the time it was ceded to them from Emperor Charles V. Birgu is another beautiful city built in a hexagonal shape surrounded by water with winding shopping lanes within and many historical buildings lining its walls. Here you’ll find monuments dedicated to knights such as the ones found at Fort St Angelo or St Mary’s Cathedral dedicated to Grandmaster Jean Parisot de Valette in 1571. You can also find Jean de Valette Square and St Lawrence Gate both dating back to 1574 and several remarkable churches like St Lawrence Church and Our Lady of Pilar Church which date back as far as 1500.

Seeing Senglea (Isla)

The last city on your boat tour is Senglea (or Isla), named after Grand Master Claude de la Sengle who built the city in response to the Ottoman invasion during The Great Siege o fMalta in 1565. The city is perhaps best known for its impressive Galley creek, located between Birgu and Senglea where galleys were tied up during The Great Siege in 1565. It was so fortified that it became known as ‘Citta Invicta’, meaning ‘invincible city’ due to its ability to withstand Ottoman invasion for over two months until declared victorious by Jean de Valette in 1565. Senglea is unique amongst Malta’s three cities thanks to its incredible views across Grand Harbour and its various modern attractions such as Kalkara Creek Aquarium and Il Gaffirelle Shopping Centre which offer plenty of shopping opportunities and activities for children such as miniature scale versions of boats on its main piazza as well as plenty of cafes and restaurants serving authentic Maltese delicacies such as rabbit stew or ħobż biż-żejt (bread with tomato). Of course, there are also plenty of historical attractions like Fort St Michael built by Jean de Valette in 1551 where visitors can explore its grand underground network of tunnels or take a stroll down its old cobbled main street lined with Baroque buildings dating back to 1690.

Conclusion

Embarking on a boat tour through Malta’s three cities allows tourists an unparalleled opportunity to experience these historic landmarks in an intimate and unique way. From Cospicua’s grand fortifications and landmarks dedicated to brave knights to Birgu’s many churches and grand houses and Senglea’s incredible views across Grand Harbour, you can truly experience some of what makes Malta such a unique destination rich with culture and history on this boat tour experience. To book your unforgettable experience in Mareta today check out this boat trip on GetYourGuide!