St John’s Co-Cathedral
See the ornate Knights of Malta interior and important paintings by Caravaggio.
Malta · Mediterranean
Valletta Ferry & Destination Guide
Plan ferries to and from Valletta in Malta, with route choices, harbour guidance and ideas for the rest of your journey.
FerryEU booking search
Search ferry tickets
Choose your route, travel dates, passengers and vehicle to compare current sailings and fares. Search all ferry routes.
Check your ports, passengers, vehicle and dates before completing the reservation.
Discover Valletta
Valletta is one of Europe’s most concentrated historic capitals, overlooking the Grand Harbour and offering a fast sea connection between Malta and Sicily.
Valletta’s grid of honey-coloured limestone streets occupies a narrow peninsula between two harbours. The city is compact enough to explore on foot, yet its steep streets, bastions and layers of history reward a full day rather than a quick transit.
St John’s Co-Cathedral is the essential interior sight, with richly decorated chapels and works by Caravaggio. Nearby, the Grandmaster’s Palace and National Museum of Archaeology add context to Malta’s long strategic history.
Upper Barrakka Gardens provide one of the best views across Grand Harbour towards the Three Cities. The waterfront lifts make it easy to combine the gardens with harbour-level attractions and ferries across to Vittoriosa.
Valletta also has a strong contemporary cultural life, with theatres, galleries, restaurants and bars occupying restored palazzi and old shopfronts. Evening walks are especially atmospheric once daytime excursion crowds have thinned.
The wider island is small enough for practical day trips to Mdina, the Three Cities, Marsaxlokk and the coast. Malta’s dense bus network makes car-free touring possible, while drivers can reach most areas in a relatively short distance.
Virtu Ferries operates the regular Malta–Pozzallo high-speed route from its dedicated passenger terminal in Marsa, a short transfer from Valletta. The service carries passengers and vehicles, making it useful for travellers combining Malta with a Sicily road trip.
City highlights
What to see while you are in Valletta
Valletta packs exceptional architecture, harbour views and museums into a small fortified peninsula.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Take in sweeping views across Grand Harbour towards the Three Cities.
Grandmaster’s Palace
Explore one of Valletta’s defining historic buildings and ceremonial spaces.
Valletta waterfront
Walk the bastions, harbour edges and regenerated waterfront areas below the old city.
Three Cities
Cross the harbour to Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua for a different perspective on Malta’s history.
Mdina day trip
Add Malta’s silent old capital and central island landscapes to a longer stay.
Tours & experiences
Things to Do in Valletta
Browse Valletta walking tours, harbour cruises, Malta history experiences and island day trips to combine with your ferry journey.
Tours and activities displayed in this section are supplied through Viator. Availability, descriptions and prices are provided by the activity supplier and can change.
Arriving or departing by ferry
Valletta Ferry Terminal
The Malta terminal opens two hours before departure. Travellers should allow extra road time around the harbour approaches and confirm passport or identity-document requirements before travelling between Malta and Italy.
Virtu Ferries operates the Malta–Pozzallo route to southeast Sicily with high-speed catamarans. Current 2026 bookings show regular sailings and the service accepts cars, motorcycles, campers and bicycles as well as foot passengers.
Virtu Ferries departs from its dedicated Malta passenger terminal at Xatt L-Ghassara Tal-Gheneb in Marsa. The terminal is close to Valletta and the Grand Harbour but is not inside the pedestrian old-city streets.
Passenger portVirtu Passenger Terminal, Xatt L-Ghassara Tal-Gheneb, Marsa MRS 1917, Malta
Main connectionsPozzallo, Sicily
OperatorsVirtu Ferries
VehiclesCars, motorcycles, campers, bicycles and foot passengers
Check-inThe terminal opens two hours before departure; follow the exact vehicle and passenger check-in time shown on your booking
Plan your stay
Getting around Valletta
Valletta is best explored on foot, with buses, harbour ferries and taxis providing straightforward connections to the rest of Malta and the Virtu terminal.
Explore Valletta on foot
The old city is compact, though its hills and steps can make some routes more strenuous than the map suggests.
Use buses and harbour ferries
Malta’s bus network connects Valletta with the wider island, while local ferries provide useful harbour and Sliema links.
Transfer to Marsa
Allow dedicated time for the short road transfer from Valletta to the Virtu Passenger Terminal, especially around busy harbour traffic periods.
Stay in Valletta
Find Valletta Accommodation
Stay inside Valletta or near the Grand Harbour
Valletta is ideal for atmosphere and sightseeing, while harbour-side accommodation in Floriana or the Three Cities can provide easier road access for ferry departures.
Common planning questions
Valletta ferry & destination FAQs
Where is Valletta Ferry Terminal?
Virtu Ferries uses its passenger terminal at Xatt L-Ghassara Tal-Gheneb in Marsa, close to Valletta and Grand Harbour.
Where can I sail from Malta in 2026?
Virtu Ferries operates the regular high-speed route between Malta and Pozzallo in Sicily.
Which operator runs the Malta–Pozzallo ferry?
Virtu Ferries operates the scheduled high-speed passenger and vehicle service.
Can I take a car on the Malta–Pozzallo ferry?
Yes. Current Virtu booking options include cars, motorbikes, campers and bicycles.
Is the Virtu terminal inside Valletta old city?
No. It is in nearby Marsa, so allow a short transfer from Valletta before check-in.
What are the best things to do in Valletta?
Visit St John’s Co-Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens, the Grandmaster’s Palace and the harbourfront, then consider the Three Cities.
How early should I arrive for the Malta ferry?
The Virtu terminal opens two hours before departure. Follow the exact check-in deadline on your booking.
Should I book Malta–Sicily ferries in advance?
Yes, especially if travelling with a vehicle or during busy holiday and summer periods.
Where can you travel from Valletta?
The route catalogue includes departures towards Pozzallo. Each direction has its own guide so that you can check the correct starting pier and arrival arrangements. A listed connection may be seasonal, a multi-stop itinerary or a former service; read its service status before making plans.
No matches. Try a different place name or clear the filters.
Ferries arriving in Valletta
Pozzallo to Valletta
Virtu Ferries
Reaching the harbour and checking in
The Malta end of Virtu Ferries’ Pozzallo crossing is in the Grand Harbour area. Follow the operator’s terminal directions when travelling from Valletta or elsewhere on Malta, rather than using a general cruise-berth address.
Pin the precise ferry terminal before travelling to Valletta. Some towns have separate passenger quays, vehicle terminals and excursion-boat landings. The operator’s address on your confirmation is more useful than a town-centre map pin.
For a car journey, leave a margin for the final approach, queueing and check-in. Without a car, confirm the last part of the journey from the railway station or bus stop. A short map distance may involve port roads or areas closed to pedestrians; use a confirmed transfer or walking route.
Keep your booking reference and required documents accessible. If you need step-free boarding, help with luggage or space for a bicycle, arrange it before the day of travel. Small piers and large vehicle terminals can offer very different facilities.
Building Valletta into a wider journey
Plan each sea leg as a separate part of the trip. Check the arrival port, transfer distance, vehicle restrictions and the time before the next sailing. A ticket sold by one company or booking provider does not automatically create a protected connection with another.
Check your arrival time against accommodation check-in and the next transport service. If this is an island stay, organise the return ferry before fixing a mainland flight or a long-distance train. The outward and return ports do not have to be the same, but separate tickets can have different conditions.
European ferries for UK travellers · Detailed planning advice
Official sailing information
Continue planning
Compare Ferry Prices
Compare ferry journeys for Valletta
Check live sailing options, passenger fares, vehicle prices and onboard accommodation for your travel dates.