Malta - The Grand Harbor and The Three Cities - September 2023

 Taking advantage of our previously planned destination of Portugal in October 2023, we headed out to Malta about two weeks earlier to enjoy this beautiful island nation in the Mediterranean Sea. True to form, we had perfect weather while in Malta.

Malta:   RDU - AID - FRA - MLA.

  

Arriving in Malta

Cospicua : One of the Three Cities, a double-fortified harbor city located within the Grand Harbor to the east of Valletta. We stayed at The Mike Hotel in Cospicua for five days when we visited Malta. UBER is our main transportation to get around Malta.  We also used the ferry to cross the harbor.

Our hotel, The Mike with the red banner on its window is in Cospucia. (Other two cities are: Senglea and Birgu or Vittoriosa).  It's an easy walking disctance to the Grand Harbor or Port of Valletta.

Old wall in Cospicua leading to the harbor.

Walking to the Grand Harbor from our hotel.

A residential street near The Mike Hotel in Cospicua.

St. Paul Church at the end of The Mike in Cospicua.

Dock No. 1, AUM- American University of Malta
.

AMU - War Museum in Cospicua.

Beautiful houses overlooking the harbor.

Grand Harbor: / Port of Valletta : Is a natural harbor on the island of Malta, walking distance from the Three Cities. It has an extensive docks, wharves and fortifications. It also has a world class luxury marina, an ideal location in the heart of Mediterranean for many vessels while cruising the Mediterranean.

Busy harbor

The Grand Harbor Marina, a UNESCO heritage site, located in Vittoriosa.

Vittoirosa Yacht Marina with lots of yachts, boats busy at all times.

Marina and ferry dock.

Fort St. Angelo in Birgu from the harbor.

Senglea:  One of the Three Cities in the Grand Harbor area, located in the south eastern region of Malta. 

Colorful homes on the waterfront in Senglea overlooking the Grand Harbor.

Harbor view from Gardijola Gardens in Senglea.

Gardjola Gardens

Gardjola Gardens in Senglea.

Fort St. Angelo from Gardjola Gardens.

Valletta view from Gardjola Gardens.

The street of the Knights.

Neighborhood church in Senglea.

Senglea's residential street.

Senglea Basilica.

Sunset dinner at the harbor.

Birgu / Vittoriosa:  Is an old fortified city on the south side of the Grand Harbor. Fort Saint Angelo at its head, the city of Cospicua at its base and Senglea is across the harbor. 

Fort St. Angelo in Birgu (view from across the harbor), built in the medieval period as a castle. It was later rebuilt by the Order of Saint John as a bastioned fort.

Sign of the "Way" marks the beginning of the maritime route of the Camino Maltes pilgrim route at fort St. Angelo.

The fort gate.

Fort entrance.


Painting at the entrance gate.

The two lighthouses, entrance to the Grand Harbor- view from fort St. Angelo.

Battery facing the entrance to the Grand Harbor.

Battery floor.

Overlooking the harbor from fort St. Angelo

Ft. St. Angelo gardens.

Chapel St. Anna in the fort.

Residential street behind St. Lawrence Cathedral.

St. Lawrence's church in Birgu (Vittoriosa).

The Grand Harbor view is very spectacular as we enjoy our promenading in the evening.

   

Peach gelato for dessert.

The band helping the city of Cospicua celebrate its regatta team who won the championship.

St. Lawrence Cathedral.

Grand Harbor Marina.

View from a pedestrian bridge by the war museum in Cospucia.

 

A street in Birgu/Vittoriosa

A mairna in Cospicua.

Collegiate Church of Conception in Cospicua.

*****

A small (wooden boat) water taxi, our transportation to Valletta.