A Malta cruise delivers one of the most spectacular harbor arrivals in the Mediterranean. Your ship glides into the Grand Harbour beneath the honey-colored bastions of Valletta, a fortified capital built by the Knights of St. John. This tiny island nation south of Sicily packs an astonishing amount of history into a small space. There are prehistoric temples older than the pyramids, a baroque walled city, and centuries of Knights, Ottomans, and British rule layered on top of each other.

For cruisers, Malta is a compact, English-speaking, history-soaked stop where the capital itself is the main event and everything else is a short drive away. Valletta is walkable straight from the port, the old capital of Mdina is a silent medieval gem, and the island’s blue lagoons and ancient temples round it out. Add a long season and a location that links the western and eastern Mediterranean, and Malta is a rewarding and easy port day.

Quick Facts

Best Time to Cruise

Malta has a long cruise season running April through November, helped by its southern position. Peak season is June through August, when the island is hot and dry and the beaches and Valletta are busy, with midsummer temperatures climbing high under a strong sun.

The best value and comfort sit in the shoulder windows: May, and September through November. The weather stays warm, the sea is swimmable well into autumn, and the historic sights are far more pleasant to walk. Malta’s long season makes its autumn shoulder especially appealing. Browse the latest Mediterranean cruise deals for these sailings.

Because of its southern location, Malta holds warmth later than most of the Mediterranean, so October and even November can be pleasant. For the best balance of warm weather, comfortable sightseeing, and value, sail in May or September through November rather than the high-summer peak.

Top Cruise Ports

Valletta

Valletta is the walled capital and the cruise port, and the arrival into the Grand Harbour is one of the great sail-ins anywhere, so be on deck. Ships dock at the Valletta Waterfront below the city, with a lift or a walk up into the historic center.

The draws are St. John’s Co-Cathedral with its Caravaggio masterpiece, the Upper Barrakka Gardens with their harbor views, and the baroque streets, plus the silent old capital of Mdina a short drive away. Insider tip: the Upper Barrakka Gardens give the best free view over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. The noon cannon firing from the saluting battery below is a fun, free spectacle.

Which Cruise Lines Sail Here

Malta is a popular Mediterranean stop on both western and eastern itineraries, so many lines call. The mass-market lines lead by volume. MSC and Costa, the European heavyweights, call frequently and often the lowest fares, while Norwegian brings big ships through on Mediterranean routes.

The premium lines run strong Maltese seasons. Celebrity, Princess, and Azamara all include Valletta on Mediterranean itineraries, with Azamara’s destination focus a natural fit for Malta’s history.

The premium and luxury small ships call too, with Viking and Oceania featuring Malta on port-rich itineraries. Most Malta cruises run 7 nights, on routes linking the central Mediterranean with Italy, Sicily, and beyond. Read our MSC review, our Celebrity Cruises review, and our Azamara review to match a line to your trip.

Shore Excursion Tips

Malta is one of the easiest Mediterranean ports for independent exploring, since English is an official language and Valletta is walkable straight from the port. A do-it-yourself day in the capital, taking in the cathedral, the gardens, and the baroque streets, works beautifully and costs little.

Book through the ship or a reputable operator for the things further afield. That means Mdina and the silent city, the prehistoric temples like Hagar Qim, the blue lagoon on Comino, or a Three Cities harbor cruise. The island is small, so even these are not far, but they need transport.

Maltese and English are both official, which makes everything easy, and the euro is the currency. Tipping is modest. Try the rabbit stew (the national dish), the pastizzi pastries, and the local Maltese wine. For more, see our guide to cruise shore excursions.

Sample Itineraries

A 7-night central Mediterranean cruise on an MSC or Costa ship calls at Valletta alongside Sicilian and Italian ports, from around $599 per person. It is the value way to include Malta.

A 7-night Mediterranean cruise on Celebrity or Princess pairs Malta with Italy and the western Mediterranean on a newer ship, from around $899 per person.

A 10-night central and eastern Mediterranean voyage on Azamara or Viking reaches Malta plus Sicily, Greece, and the Adriatic at a port-rich pace, from around $3,599 per person. Compare current sailings on the deals page before you book.

Packing & Practical Tips

Pack comfortable walking shoes for Valletta’s steep, stepped streets, which climb and descend across the peninsula. Light breathable clothing suits the heat, plus a modest layer for the cathedral and churches, and swimwear if you plan a beach or lagoon stop. A hat and sun protection are essential under the strong southern sun.

Malta uses the euro and, reflecting its British history, the UK-style Type G plug, so bring a universal adaptor. Tap water is safe but heavily desalinated, so many prefer bottled for taste. EU roaming covers most travelers since Malta is an EU member. For the full list, see our cruise packing guide.

The Verdict

Malta is a small island with an outsized cruise appeal, anchored by one of the most dramatic harbor arrivals in the Mediterranean. The honey-stoned capital of Valletta, the silent medieval city of Mdina, prehistoric temples, and a long warm season give a port day real depth. The fact that English is an official language makes it wonderfully easy. The Grand Harbour sail-in alone is worth the early start.

Book a Mediterranean cruise that calls at Valletta if you want deep history, a stunning walled capital, and an easy, English-speaking port. Be on deck for the Grand Harbour arrival, explore Valletta on foot, and add Mdina if you have time. For the best mix of warm weather and value, sail in May or September through November.

Related Guides (internal links)

• Mediterranean Cruise Guide: the full regional overview
• Read our MSC Cruises review
• Read our Celebrity Cruises review
• Read our Azamara review
• Cruising Italy: ports from Rome to Venice
• Cruising Greece: islands and ancient sites
• See this week’s Mediterranean cruise deals
• Compare cruise lines side by side
• Plan your route with the Itinerary Planner

Last updated: May 23, 2026. Written by Helena Marsh, Editorial Director.