The 9 Best Shore Excursions in Malta

1.Sightseeing Shore Excursion for Cruise Passengers

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 43 reviews · 4 hours · from $117Our pick

Join an English-speaking guide for a four-hour Malta shore excursion from Valletta Cruise Port to Mdina and back. You’ll see St. Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina’s old streets, Palazzo Testaferrata, Valletta, the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Grandmaster’s Palace Courtyard, and St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Transport is included, and you can return to the ship or stay in Valletta.

“La veleta gran ciudad. Muy bonita. Mendoza también. La guía…. Mmm. No muy amena. Pero si sabía el tema. Comida. Excelente. El tour cansado. La gente desertó para ir a comer.”

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2.Malta Shore Excursion: Malta in One Day Private Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $357

Meet your English-speaking guide at the cruise terminal for a private five-hour tour of Malta. Visit Marsaxlokk, Wied iz-Zurrieq, Mosta Dome, the Grandmaster’s Palace, and Upper Barrakka Gardens, with a private vehicle, port transfers, and time for photos or lunch.

“This excursion was exceptionally good, everything we were hoping it would be. Our guide Frederick was extremely knowledgeable and attentive, and very easy to get along with. The car was cool and comfortable, Duncan the driver was courteous and accommodating. Nothing was rushed and we saw everything we were hoping to see. All in all, excellent value - we have no hesitation in recommending this tour to anyone visiting Valletta.”

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3.Private guided Malta shore excursion with a professional guide and transport

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 4 to 8 hours (approx.) Top rated

Explore Malta by private car or minibus with a licensed guide and cruise-port pickup. Shape the day around Valletta, Mdina, the Blue Grotto, Dingli Cliffs, gardens, beaches, or family interests. Guides such as Valentina, Fabrizia, Jenny, and Charles have led past tours, but your assigned guide may differ.

“Our guide and driver were fantastic. Our guide was so knowledgeable and we wished we could have spent the entire day with him. Our cruise stop was short in Malta so we were only able to see a little bit of Malta.”

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4.Valletta and 3 Cities Private 4-Hour Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 11 reviews · 4 hours · from $283

You’ll tour Valletta and Vittoriosa with a private multilingual guide, visiting Barracca and Gardjola Gardens, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the Inquisitor’s Palace, and Malta’s Grand Harbour. Guides such as Tony, Julia, Dennis, Sabine, and Emilio have led this route. A private water taxi links Valletta with the Three Cities.

“I had a WONDERFUL TIME!! Julia was my tour guide and she was amazing! It was just the two of us and it felt more like having a great friend to show you their home than a tour. I loved every minute of it. She also pointed out great food options along the route which helped so much! This is the best way to get started in Malta!!!”

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5.Malta Shore Excursion: Private tour of Valletta and Mdina

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $321

Meet your English-speaking guide at Malta’s cruise terminal for a private, approximately four-hour tour of Mdina and Valletta. Walk Mdina’s medieval lanes, see its cathedral and Palazzo Vilhena, then visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Upper Barrakka Gardens. Port pickup and drop-off are included.

“We were picked up at the Port on time. We had booked the excursion for the four of us. However we had two more friends who wanted to come along. The tour company accommodated us without any fuss. The van we were traveling in was very comfortable. The guide was very well versed with the historical facts and kept us informed at all the locations. He was especially good about the old city of Mdina. Malta has some great picturesque spots and we stopped and took in the beauty of the place. We returned to the ship on time. It was a very good experience.”

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6.Malta Shore Excursion: Private Tour of Historic Palaces and Noble Homes

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $315

See Malta’s grand side in about four hours, with a private vehicle, port pickup, and an English-speaking guide. Visit Upper Barrakka Gardens, Casa Rocca Piccola, and Palazzo Parisio, where family rooms, art, formal gardens, and noble traditions bring Malta’s past to life. Guides such as Josephine, Rita, and Frederick have led this tour.

“We loved Malta. Our guide, a wonderful lady, she met us on the pier and our tour ended up being a private tour of Malta. She was amazing, knew Malta very well, and went above and beyond for our tour. We would love to return to Malta for an extended stay.”

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7.Shore Excursion Tour – Half Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 4 reviews · 4 hours

You get four hours in a private air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking driver, flexible routing, hotel or port pickup, Wi-Fi, water, a local Maltese snack, and written guides. Shape the outing around Mdina, Valletta, Popeye Village, Ta’ Qali, or the National Aquarium. A licensed guide and lunch cost extra.

“Knowledgeable driver, courteous and attentive to our safety, convenience and interests.”

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8.Shore Excursion, Best of Valletta, An Insider’s View

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Meet your licensed Malta Tourism Authority guide at the cruise terminal for a three-hour private walk through Valletta. You’ll ride the elevator to the city center, visit Upper Barracca Gardens, the Knights’ auberges, Parliament, the Grandmaster’s Palace, and St John’s Co-Cathedral. Guide Marissa is known for tailoring the walk to personal interests.

“Marissa with City Walking Tours Malta was fabulous. We were on a cruise and she met us at the port and we were fortunate to have only 6 of us on the tour. She was great in maneuvering us through the crowds and finding shady spots to talk about the sights. She catered to our needs as one of us was looking to buy a Maltese cross, she took us into a jewellery store and showed us what it looked like, another wanted to get a rosary blessed so she advised where and when this could be done. It was so sweet when she ran into her 2 children while…”

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9.Shore Excursion: Private Full-Day Tour of Valletta & Mdina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews

Spend about five hours with a private guide and chauffeur exploring Valletta and Mdina. Walk Valletta’s historic center, view its fortification walls, then follow Mdina’s medieval streets and fortified ramparts. Guides Angele and Angela have earned praise for clear history talks, flexible stops, and fluent Spanish.

“Angela was an amazing guide who tailored stops to our needs and gave us a very complete explanation of Malta's history and its beautiful cathedral. She also speaks five languages and was very fluent in Spanish. Greatly recommended.”

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