Three Cities Tour (Vittoriosa, Senglea & Cospicua) Including Boat Tour Of The Harbour Creeks (Half Day)

Description

The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea.

The oldest of the Three Cities is Vittoriosa, which has existed since the Middle Ages. The other two cities, Senglea and Cospicua, were both founded by the Order of the Knights of Saint John in the 16th and 17th centuries, respectively.

During this half-day tour, you will have the opportunity to appreciate these unique historical fortified cities and admire magnificent churches, traditional piazzas, incredible fortifications, and architectural treasures found all around the Three Cities area—pieces of living history kept alive by hundreds of years of preservation!

We start our tour with a panoramic drive past the city of Cospicua, a double-fortified harbour city and the largest of the Three Cities, flanked by Senglea on the west and Vittoriosa on the east. Cospicua is well known for its large dockyard and its impressive fortifications known as the Santa Margherita Lines and the Cottonera Lines.

A short stretch away from Cospicua lies the city of Vittoriosa. The city occupies a promontory of land with the impressive Fort Saint Angelo at its head and the city of Cospicua at its base.

The origins of this glorious city date back to mediaeval times. Over the centuries, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, the Angevines, the Aragonese, and the Order of the Knights of Saint John all contributed to the development of this magnificent city.

Ideally situated for safe anchorage, Vittoriosa has a very long history of maritime, mercantile, and military activities. Prior to the establishment of Valletta as the capital and main city of Malta, military powers that wanted to rule the Maltese islands always endeavoured to obtain control of Vittoriosa due to its significant position in the Grand Harbour. In fact, it served as the base of the Order of the Knights of Saint John and the “de facto” capital city of Malta from 1530 to 1571. Vittoriosa is well known for its vital role in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.

We will enjoy a fascinating walking tour through the distinctively narrow, winding streets of the city, admiring and appreciating all the historical buildings and captivating treasures found at every twist and turn. Upon our arrival at the stunning Vittoriosa Waterfront, we will board a traditional Maltese “Frejgatina” (a small, carvel-built fishing boat) for a delightful tour of the colourful harbour creeks.

We end our tour at Senglea, named after Claude De La Sengle, the Grand Master who founded the city. Senglea is also known as “Civitas Invicta," a name given to the city for managing to resist the Ottoman invasion during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.

The island on which Senglea lies was joined by a land bridge to Cospicua during the time of the Knights of St. John, and as a result, it became peninsular in shape. From the Gardjola Gardens located at the tip of the peninsula, we will enjoy a stunning 360° view of the Grand Harbour, including the impressive Fort Saint Angelo, from where the Grand Master Jean Perisot De La Valette led the defence of the island during the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.

During the whole tour, our knowledgeable and experienced guides will provide you with riveting information and enhance your experience through narration and engaging storytelling.

What should you know before you go?

• The time shown on the website or on your ticket is the approximate start time of the activity and not the time when you will be picked up from your hotel (or closest meeting point). At least a few days before the date of your activity, you need to make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pick-up location and pick-up time. Your pick-up time can be any time between 8:15 AM and 9:15 AM, depending on where you are staying.

• To confirm your pick-up location (meeting point) and your pick-up time, please send an e-mail to internal-tours@robertarrigo.com at least a few days before the date of your activity. Make sure to include your booking reference number in the e-mail.

• The tour will be guided in the language that you have booked; however, please note that occasionally, due to operational circumstances, a multilingual guide (limited to a maximum of two languages) might provide the commentary in two languages.

• The tour in Spanish will be conducted by either a Spanish-speaking guide (subject to availability) or an English-speaking guide together with a Spanish-speaking host serving as a translator.

• The visit to Cospicua is a panoramic drive-by; we will not be stopping there.

• The boat tour of the harbour creeks is subject to weather conditions. If the boat trip cannot be done due to adverse weather conditions, more time will be spent visiting the three cities.

• The provider reserves the right to change the order of the visits without prior notice.

• No particular dress code is required; we suggest wearing comfortable clothes according to the forecasted weather.

• The tour is not wheelchair-accessible.

• Foldable strollers are allowed during the tour.

• Pets, large luggage, and large suitcases are not allowed during the tour.

• Any personal belongings, including backpacks or rucksacks, must be carried with you at all times and may not be left unattended on the coach or bus.

• The tour is not recommended for travellers with mobility impairments.

• The difficulty level of this tour is considered easy to moderate; however, one should take note that it’s a rather long walk.

• The tour will operate as scheduled, rain or shine.

• Both electronic and paper vouchers are accepted.

What to bring?

• Comfortable shoes

• Sunglasses

• A hat or a cap (especially in summer)

• Sunscreen (especially in summer)

• An umbrella (if it's expected to rain)

• Some cash

Included on booking:

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (from your Hotel or a close meeting point)

• A licenced tour guide

• All transportation in air-conditioned vehicles

• Boat tour of the harbour creeks on a traditional Maltese "frejgatina" (carvel-built fishing boat)

Not included on booking:

• Food and drinks

• Tips (optional)