The Sheer Bastion

The Sheer Bastion is the rooftop of an old fortification in Senglea, the Grand Harbour town at the tip of the peninsula that British visitors often know simply as one of the Three Cities. From the top of the wall you look across the water to Valletta, with the domes and bastions of the capital and the neighbouring harbour towns spread out in front of you. It is a setting for weddings, receptions, corporate gatherings and private parties that few places on the island can match.

The venue is run by Cugó Gran Maċina, the boutique hotel next door, and it appears on VisitMalta.co.uk in our directory of wedding venues in Malta. Stays in the area are covered separately in our guide to where to stay in Malta.

The venue and its setting

The terrace sits on the roof of the old bastion, so the views come with the venue rather than being added to it. Guests see the Grand Harbour, the three historic harbour towns and Valletta across the water. In the evening the limestone walls are lit and the marina below fills with the lights of moored yachts, which makes the same space feel quite different from a daytime reception.

Capacity is generous. The roof can welcome up to 1,000 guests for a standing reception, or seat 300 for a dinner. That range suits anything from a large wedding party to a launch event that needs room to mingle. Senglea is steeped in the story of the Knights of Malta, and our Knights of Malta guide gives useful background for visitors who want to understand the walls around them.

Weddings and private celebrations

Couples can plan a ceremony or reception on the rooftop and the venue offers wedding and event packages on request. No prices are printed, so the sensible first step is to share your date, likely guest numbers and the sort of day you have in mind. If you are choosing between venues, it is worth comparing styles and settings across the island before you commit.

Flowers are often the finishing touch on a harbour-view wedding, and local specialists such as Alistair Floral Design are listed in the directory. If you would like a boat trip as part of the celebration, Adventure Cruises Malta is among the charter operators we feature, and the hotel itself also arranges private charters from its pontoon through a sister company.

Food, drink and catering

Catering for the rooftop comes from The Little Bastion, the hotel's restaurant in a sixteenth-century building. The kitchen works with seasonal local produce and the cooking is contemporary Mediterranean. Plated fish, composed desserts and cocktails are all part of the style.

Because the same team looks after the food, a wedding breakfast, a cocktail reception and a corporate dinner can all be planned together with one kitchen. Tell the venue about dietary needs and the style of service you want when you enquire.

Meetings and corporate events

Companies can use the rooftop for client receptions and larger corporate occasions, and there is also a conference room inside the hotel for meetings, presentations and smaller conferences. The room takes up to 10 people and comes with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchenette and a 70-inch flat screen television.

Business visitors flying in from London can check routes in our guide to flights to Malta, and anyone planning an outdoor event will want our month-by-month Malta weather guide before choosing an outdoor date.

Getting to Senglea and exploring nearby

Senglea sits on the Grand Harbour opposite Valletta, and the surrounding area is rich in sights. Our Three Cities guide covers Senglea, Birgu, Cospicua and Kalkara, and the Vittoriosa guide takes you to the neighbouring waterfront of Birgu. Across the water, the Valletta guide and the Upper Barrakka Gardens offer the classic view back towards Senglea.

Guests staying for a few days will find plenty to fill the time in our list of things to do in Malta. When you are ready to plan your event, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to The Sheer Bastion team.