Getting to the Valletta Waterfront in Floriana

Arriving from Malta International Airport

Malta is small, and the waterfront is one of the easiest places on the island to reach from the runway. The cruise port lists a car or taxi journey of about 12 minutes between the airport and the port, which makes a taxi the simplest option if you have landed with suitcases and want to be on the quay, or at your table, without fuss.

If you would rather use public transport, the printed guidance is to head for Valletta bus terminal and take the X4 route towards the airport, which is given as roughly 40 minutes. Going the other way, the same service brings you into Valletta, from where the waterfront is a short onward hop. It is slower than a taxi, but friendly on the wallet, and it suits travellers with light luggage and a relaxed schedule.

Many British visitors fly in, spend a night or two in the capital and then join a cruise, or the reverse. The port describes this as a natural combination, because the airport, the city and the ships are all within a short distance of each other. If you are still choosing flights, our guide to flights to Malta is a good place to begin.

Buses, sightseeing coaches and taxis

The public bus on this stretch is Route 130. You can pick it up at the Valletta terminus in the city centre and ride down to the stop named Waterfront, and the same route takes you back into central Valletta. The cruise port quotes about 15 minutes for the trip, covering three stops, so it is a very short ride.

Hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses also serve the promenade. Tickets are sold from the coloured booths right on the waterfront, so you can buy one and step straight aboard, which is handy on a first day when you want to see the island from an open top deck before deciding what to explore on foot.

For taxis, there is a booking office on the promenade offering taxi services and tours at established rates, and taxis run between the waterfront and your accommodation. The cruise port gives about 7 minutes by car or taxi from the port to Valletta city centre. As always, it is wise to agree how you will be charged before setting off, and the booking office is there to make that clear.

Walking down from Valletta and using the lift

Floriana lies directly outside the capital's main gate, and the waterfront is tucked beneath the bastions on the harbour side. The cruise port gives around 30 minutes on foot between the port and Valletta city centre, which is a pleasant stroll if you enjoy fortifications and harbour views, and a steep one on the way back up in summer heat. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water.

To save your legs, the port points visitors towards the Barrakka lift, a lift that links the harbour level with the city above. It is the most popular shortcut for cruise passengers heading up to the gardens and streets of the capital. The lift's prices and operating hours are not listed in our sources, so check on the day. When you reach the top, the Upper Barrakka Gardens are right there, and our Valletta guide will help you plan the rest of the day.

Ferries, horse cabs and boats

The fast ferries to Gozo and to the Three Cities leave from a terminal at Lascaris Wharf, a short walk from the waterfront. The crossing to the Three Cities is described as a scenic five minutes, which is a lovely way to see Valletta's bastions from the water. Operators change their timetables, so look at their own information before you travel. Our guides to Gozo and the Three Cities explain what to see once you arrive.

For something more traditional, horse cabs wait on the road beside the waterfront and offer rides into the city. Traditional dgħajsa boats and water taxis run tours of the Grand Harbour, which is a fine way to spend half an hour. Electric cars, scooters and e-bikes can be rented on the promenade, and boat owners can ask about berthing at Laguna Marina.

Parking at the Valletta Waterfront

Driving is straightforward, with a mix of free and flat rate paid parking. The paid areas are the Quay Car Park, the Atrium Car Park at the waterfront and the Wedge Car Park. Each is printed with the same flat rates: €4.00 from Monday to Friday before 7pm, and €5.00 from Friday at 7pm until Sunday at 11pm. The same €5.00 rate applies on the eve of public holidays and on public holidays, until 11pm.

The Quay Car Park rates exclude cruise operating hours, so cruise days can be different. Free options are also listed: the Deep Water Quay Car Park opposite the old Coleiro Winery, and on-street parking alongside the waterfront. A further car park, MCP Floriana, is nearby, and its rates are published by its own operator. All rates are at the port's discretion and terms apply, so always read the signs on arrival.

Once parked, you are right at the heart of things. Head to our restaurants and bars or shops at the waterfront, or return to the main Valletta Waterfront page for the full picture.

Tips for cruise passengers

If you are arriving by ship, the terminal is on the doorstep, so there is little to organise. The port highlights the Barrakka lift, taxis, hop-on hop-off buses and rental vehicles as ways to get to the city centre directly from the terminal. Our cruise port page has more on what to expect on a port day.

Questions about Getting to the Valletta Waterfront in Floriana