Southern Harbor of Malta

The Southern Harbour of Malta extends around the natural harbour between Valetta and the Three Cities, with numerous settlements, most of them dating back centuries, on rocks and cliffs immediately around the harbour bay, as well as further inland. The country has grouped them in a statistical district to aid with the administration of Malta's numerous small municipalities. It includes municipalities such as Floriana, Luqa, Marsa and Żabbar, along with a number of smaller townships and localities, as well as Valetta and the Three Cities, which have their own separate guides at Wikivoyage.

Get in

The Malta International Airport is located at the southern end of the Southern Harbour District, in the Luqa municipality. From there, bus line X4 goes to Floriana, while pretty much all other airport lines will stop in Marsa, where you can change to one of the other bus lines serving the Southern Harbour.

From other parts of Malta, take any bus that heading for Valetta, as the bus terminus for Valetta is actually in Floriana and you can change there.

When arriving on the ferry from Sicily, you will land in the Southern Harbour directly, as this is where the ferry docks.

Get around

Malta Public Transport bus lines 1 to 4 serve the Southern Harbour, with slightly different routes south of the harbour bay. Additionally, lines 90 to 94 go from Valetta to or through Żabbar.

Understand

The Southern Harbour of Malta is called the Grand Harbour, as it has been the most important port on the island historically. While much of the commercial shipping has been moved to Kalafrana, the Grand Harbour still houses extensive docklands, while its former military significance left a rich structural heritage, much of which can now be visited as tourist attractions.

See

• 1 Senglea (Isla). Both the country's and Europe's densest municipality, this small peninsula surrounded by historic fortifications, while its baroque parish church is particularly beautiful. The narrow streets of Senglea are filled with historic buildings from different periods, often overlapping due to numerous rebuilds and extensions, and every other corner features a niche with a religious figure. (updated Sep 2020)
• 2 Esplora. Science museum (updated Sep 2020)
• 3 Fort Ricasoli. A largely intact, if dilapidated, historic fort at the northern tip of the harbour, which is now a popular filming location. Fans of historic or fantasy movies and TV shows, ranging from Troy to Game of Thrones, may discover where their favourite scenes were shot. (updated Sep 2020)
• 4 Fort Rinella (Rinella Battery). A former British fort turned into a museum, displaying, a rare Armstrong 100-ton gun. (updated Sep 2020)
• 5 Chinese Garden of Serenity. 
• 6 Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum. 
• 7 Basilica of Christ the King (Paola Parish Church). 
• 8 Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces (Żabbar Parish Church and Museum). 
• 9 Valetta Waterfront. 
• 10 Argotti Botanic Gardens & Resource Centre. 
• 11 Msida Bastion Historic Garden. 
• 12 Portes des Bombes. 

Do

• Valetta Ferry. Take the Valetta ferry running between the capital and the foothill of Senglea and enjoy the views from the water. (updated Sep 2020)
• 1 Royal Malta Golf Club. 

Buy

• Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker
• Marsovin

Eat

• 1 Mevlana Kebab House, Triq Villabate. great food, reasonable prices and friendly staff. (updated May 2018)

Sleep

• 23 Boutique Hotel
• Sally Port Senglea
• B & B Casal Annunzia

Go next

• Valetta is obviously the highlight of any visit to the Southern Harbour
• The Three Cities, directly opposite Valetta, are also chock-full of architectural heritage