Valletta on a cruise stop: a self-guided city game from the port

Yes, Valletta is one of the easiest cruise stops for our game. Ships berth alongside at Valletta Cruise Port on the Valletta Waterfront, right below the city walls. A taxi takes about 10 minutes to St Publius Church in Floriana, where the scavenger hunt starts; on foot, the Barrakka Lift, 300 m from the terminal, takes you up to the city. The hunt takes about 3 hours and ends at St Paul's Cathedral, a short walk from the lift. Easy on a normal port day.

From Valletta Waterfront to St Publius Church

1. Walk off the ship onto the Valletta Waterfront promenade. No tender is usually needed, and the terminal has tourist information, Wi-Fi, a pharmacy and shops.
2. Turn right out of the terminal and follow the waterfront road for about 300 m to the Barrakka Lift. The ride up takes about 23 seconds and brings you to the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
3. From the gardens, walk through Valletta to City Gate and the Triton Fountain, then into Floriana to St Publius Church on the Granaries square. Since the app lets you choose where to start, you can also begin right at the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
4. No lift? The steep road up from the waterfront takes about 20 minutes. Or take one of the many taxis in the port (most accept cards) and ask for St Publius Church, Floriana, about 10 minutes.

A Valletta port day, hour by hour

1. 0:00Off the ship and along the waterfront to the Barrakka Lift.
2. 0:40Start the hunt at St Publius Church in Floriana, near Sa Maison Garden and the Triton Fountain.
3. 1:30Through City Gate to the Upper Barrakka Gardens and St Catherine of Italy, with views over the Grand Harbour.
4. 2:30St John's Co-Cathedral, Great Siege Square, the National Library and St George's Square in the centre of Valletta.
5. 3:40Finish at St Paul's Cathedral, then a short walk back to the lift and down to the waterfront.
6. 4:00Back on board, at least 1 hour before all-aboard time.

Tips for Valletta when time is short

• Valletta sits on a hill above the harbour: the Barrakka Lift saves a steep 20-minute climb in both directions.
• Wear comfortable shoes: the streets are hilly, stepped in places and paved with stone.
• On busy days with several ships in, expect queues at the lift and crowds on Republic Street.
• Watch for pickpockets on Republic Street and at the bus terminus outside City Gate.
• Summers are hot and the bastions are exposed: carry water and sun protection.
• With a 3-hour hunt, start early in the port day so you can finish without rushing.

Why a self-guided game works on a port day

• You start when you step off the ship, not at a fixed tour time, and nobody waits for a group.
• Everyone in your party can follow on their own phone with one booking reference.
• You can stop for lunch or a swim and carry on later, and end the game whenever you need to head back.
• Google Maps guides you from stop to stop, and the game needs no entry tickets.

Valletta cruise stop: questions

Pick your Valletta game

Port and transport details checked in November 2026. Docking positions and timetables change, so always check your ship’s all-aboard time and your cruise line’s port information before you set off.