Three Cities
Three Cities
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Three Cities
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1,011 within 3 miles
Attractions
442 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- HobbyLiverpool, United Kingdom1,591 contributionsA v interesting place to visitCaught the hydrofoil from Valletta, to Cospicua, cost €2 each return, then walked along the front to view Valetta. Then caught the land train, which cost €6 each for 30 min tour of all 3 cities. There were v few tourists so fairly quiet, completely different to Valetta, with lots of history and lovely looking buildings. We will return to explore on foot.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 1 February 2024
- RCRCCork, Ireland186 contributionsSo interesting and quiet compared to Valletta, well worth tge visitWar of Malta museum and staff are great..St Lawrence Church is amazing and lovely lady hosting entrance..So quiet rather than Valletta. Happy train takes you everywhere, almost for € 6.. Ferry there us short with great views.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 March 2024
- Matthew PLondon, United Kingdom6,299 contributionsPeaceful CityThe first thing you will notice as you get off the ferry, how quiet it is and so fewer people. A short walk and you are in narrow windy streets that cars in some cases are to big to fit. Hours could be spent just wandering around and getting nowhere.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 May 2024
- tastefirstNew York City, New York198 contributionsLose yourself in the beautiful Three CitiesOne of most picturesque parts of Malta. We crossed from Valletta by luzzu - traditional fishing boat. It’s cheap and gives you a much better experience than the ferry. We took a little chochooo train to show us the best sites - totally unnecessary. Everything is very close, so just walk around and enjoy both the churches and the narrow streets.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
939 reviews
Excellent
541
Very good
306
Average
78
Poor
8
Terrible
6
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
eggtimer2016
Cambridge, UK52 contributions
Sept 2020
You must visit and walk the area when it is cool though there is plenty of shade. The lift to it from gardens upper levels takes you to the public ferry across the road. Nice modern bridge when yoi arrive and you can walk and catch buses.Easy and lovely. You explare what you can see high up in the gardens UP THE LIFT. You can get back by bus to Valetta and use of lifts are free after 6 p.m. i.e. when cooler.
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura M
36 contributions
Sept 2021
A fabulous place to visit by boat.
As you come into the harbour you see many boats and the towns.
We visited the war museum in the town which was fascinating and you could go down into the bunker with hardhats on and see where people used to go for safety. Well worth a visit for 1 hour. There is also a fort you can visit which is on my wishlist when I visit again. There are some nice places you can visit for food.
In addition you can get one of the traditional to and from Valetta which we did on the way back to Valetta.
Reminded me similarly to Portofino in Italy.
Well worth a visit when you visit Malta
The boat over there only takes 5/10 minutes maxiumum.
As you come into the harbour you see many boats and the towns.
We visited the war museum in the town which was fascinating and you could go down into the bunker with hardhats on and see where people used to go for safety. Well worth a visit for 1 hour. There is also a fort you can visit which is on my wishlist when I visit again. There are some nice places you can visit for food.
In addition you can get one of the traditional to and from Valetta which we did on the way back to Valetta.
Reminded me similarly to Portofino in Italy.
Well worth a visit when you visit Malta
The boat over there only takes 5/10 minutes maxiumum.
Written 10 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darcon
London, UK311 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Take the boat ride only 2€ pp and have such a romantic and picturesque entry to the 3 cities. Usually the gondolas will fill the boat up to about 5-6 people so I recommend getting the seats closest to the front for the best views. Once you arrive definitely take the train guided tour which will save you time walking around all 3 cities. For just 6€ pp it's a decent tour and also allows you to spot streets to come back to walk at. The rest of the time can be spent walking and just getting lost on the Maltese streets, there's also some good restaurants to choose from!
Written 21 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angelica p
6 contributions
Jul 2022
Get away from the crowd Valletta and San Julian... Go up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, pay 1 euro for the elevator and reach the port in 2 minutes. There, buy a tickets for 2,80 both ways on the catamaran and in less than 10 minutes you can enjoy relax and peace in front of the port that gathers the "3 cities". Best!
Written 15 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Evelin H
Maple, Canada515 contributions
Oct 2022
Just beautiful! You can take a bus to Valetta and then a small boat to one of the three cities for 4 euros p/p. The owner of the gondola offers us a half hour by boat to see the three cities from the water side. Was well worth it. 8 euros P/P and we saw beautiful view from the water, and was lots of fun. You can walk from city to city and grab nice lunch anywhere.
Written 24 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arnaud GELOS
Gelos, France689 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The views from the 3 cities towards Valletta are magnificent and the opposite too!!! It is good to walk through the alleys of these places, the surprises are numerous and each street corner offers a different landscape. Fort St Angelo is splendid and very informative, the restaurants along the canals are varied and very pleasant....the boat shuttle to Valletta (and back) is very practical and regular - every 30 minutes. If you stay several days, take the unlimited weekly ticket for €10 and come and come back as many times as you want (until midnight max). If you have a rental car, plenty of free spaces available...
Much quieter place than Valletta, just as beautiful and convenient to everything.
Much quieter place than Valletta, just as beautiful and convenient to everything.
Written 5 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blayford
West Row, UK209 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
We took the ferry over from Valletta, beautiful trip over. Hopes were high. It was a Tuesday, we found the market, but no disrespect meant, we were hugely underwhelmed. Walking further back in we went to the Inquisitors Palace, paid a nominal amount and found it very intriguing. Peak season but very quiet in there, shame, as I think many people would find it an eye opener. Left looking for somewhere to get a drink. The main square was under a lot of construction, drilling and cordoned off, quick detour and we were back down by the harbour to get a drink there. Seemed hugely inflated prices to me for two soft drinks.
Like the review title says, a mixed bag. Don’t get me wrong, some of the little side streets are truly stunning. But wasn’t sure enough to pique our interest. Sorry
Like the review title says, a mixed bag. Don’t get me wrong, some of the little side streets are truly stunning. But wasn’t sure enough to pique our interest. Sorry
Written 30 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shir1027
Westchester County, NY98 contributions
Dec 2019
Start your trip with a 30 mins ferry tour of the Grand Harbor (for 8 Euro, it's a pretty good deal!), then ask to be dropped off in Vittoriosa and begin your exploration from there. Return to Valetta before sunset and enjoy the view during dusk. The golden hour = no filter needed for your photos.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lou576
West Midlands, UK151 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Less touristic area, but with the hear, we didn’t really walk around too much. Very quiet and some areas were quite pretty.
I think I enjoyed the boat ride across in the water taxi yo be honest as it was so cooling in the heat. The boats charge 2 euros one way, maximum of 6 people per boat. Again we didn’t go around to all 3 cities as it was too hot.
I think I enjoyed the boat ride across in the water taxi yo be honest as it was so cooling in the heat. The boats charge 2 euros one way, maximum of 6 people per boat. Again we didn’t go around to all 3 cities as it was too hot.
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KmanWent
Ashby de la Zouch, UK206 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Easy to get to from Valletta. Motorised catamaran holding 100 people costs 2.8 Euro return, or less if you qualify for a concession. I'm over 65 so my ticket was 90 euro cents return. Had ID but wasn't needed. You can also go over on a motorised skiff which holds 6-8 people (with no lifejackets, and you sit on the edge) for 2 Euro a head. Three cities themselves (well, Birgu and L'Isla) also well worth a visit, for tourist sites and restaurants.
Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Να κάνω την βόλτα με το τραίνο στις Τρεις πολεις; Αξίζει τον κόπο; Θα καταφέρω να δω τα αξιοθέατα;
Written 3 March 2020
A lot of the places offer reduced price to over 60s. Do you need local ID for this like you do for the reduced price on the ferry or is British ID ok
Written 19 September 2019
Hi,
My wife and I are unfortunately in the senior category, we visit Malta quite a lot and have never been asked to show ID for any visits or travel, most seem very relaxed about this.
Hope this helps, enjoy your trip.
David
Written 21 September 2019
Is this a booked tour or something like a water taxi? If a booked tour which company did you use?
Written 19 April 2019
We walked. Any half decent guide book will lay out a path for you. It is worth it.
Written 20 June 2019
Hi could anyone tell me the cost of the gondola please ? Many thanks
Written 16 August 2018
I previously said it was 2 euros, but I wasn’t sure. Other people have answered 4 euros. So, most likely it was 4 euros.
Written 16 August 2018
May I ask where your apartment was? Is there a way for me to find it online? thank you! Jane
Written 10 July 2018
We stayed at the Hotel Grand Excelsior in Valletta.
Written 11 July 2018
Hvor tar man færgen fra valetta til tre cities
Written 12 May 2018
I'm going to Malta next week
Staying in Bugibba
How do I get to Valletta Three Cities ?
Written 18 June 2017
Bus to Valletta bus station. Enter Valletta, turn right at the open air theatre, slight uphill walk and keep going until you reach Upper Barrakka Gardens (sign posted as you enter City). Small gardens, and walk to back right corner where you will find a lift down to the ferry. This should take around 5 minuters but it will take much longer as you will be distracted on the way! So much to see.
At bottom of lift, turn left after crossing the road. Within 20 metres gateway on right to ferry (also sign posted).
Choice of main ferry or we chose the fun trip on a smaller boat which cost 2 euros each (one way) to Vittoriosa. You can walk to the other two cities from this island. There is a bus stop in the centre of Vittoriosa.
We returned using smaller ferry but the lift costs 1 euro each to reach the top. Well worth the money.
Ferry trip provides great views. Bus take a very long detour.
Written 19 June 2017
Showing results 1-10 of 11
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing