The tours listed below can be customised to your specifications
Maritime Museum, originally the Arsenal of the Order
After 2 years of when they first arrived in Malta in 1530 the Knights settled in Birgu or as it is otherwise known, Vittoriosa.
We start with a walking tour of the 'Collacchio', the historical centre of Birgu and which is a maze of narrow winding streets. During our tour you will pass the original Auberges which the Knights lived in, the old armoury, hospital and oratory. We will visit the oratory which is a small church museum containing various relics of the Knights and other items of interest connected with the church and Birgu. The actual magisterial hat and sword used by Grandmaster de Valette during the Great Siege of 1565 have been recently restored and are exhibited here. At this point we make our way to the Birgu Waterfront. This is lined with majestic buildings because according to the Knights, visitors had perforce to approach Malta by sea and their assessment of the island was coloured by their first glimpse of its buildings which included beautiful and impressive palaces used as stores and warehouses and upper floors were offices and residences.
After a lunch break we continue our tour to Valletta. Valletta was built by the Knights of St. John in 1566 as an impregnable city.. The construction of the city was commissioned by Grandmaster de Valette. Here we include the Barraka Gardens which offer stunning views of the Grand Harbour and magnificent fortifications, a walk through important streets so you can admire the magnificent Palaces and other historical buildings built during the period of the Knights and we will also include an internal tour of both the Grand Masters Palace State Rooms and the magnificent St. John's Co. Cathedral, which was the church of the Order and also home to Caravaggio's masterpiece "Beheading of St. John" amongst other treasures.
This tour is available from Monday to Saturday.
If you would like to do this tour on Sunday, or customize the tour to your specifications, complete the How to Book/Make an Enquiry form below.
Prices are based on the group size and are not per person. The size of transport is provided based on the number of passengers in your party.
2025 Tour Prices
Includes private transport with driver and guiding services:
eur540 for *1 to 3 passengers
eur680 for 3 to 6 passengers
eur890 for 7 to 11 passengers
eur1,100 for 12 to 16 passengers
Contact me for a larger group of 17 to 50+
*The 1 to 3 passenger rate is suitable for 2 adults or 2 adults and a young child, using a sedan type vehicle. 3 adults must calculate using the 3 to 6 passenger rate, which is for a small van.
Supplements
Tours on Sundays and Public Holidays are subject to a eur45 supplement.
Not Included
Entrance fees - To save unnecessary time-wasting and queuing we can include your entrance fees. Allow eur25 per person for St. John's Co. Cathedral and Grand Masters Palace.
Food, drinks and lunch.
How to Book
To book, click on How to Book/Make an Enquiry below, complete the form and send. I normally reply within 48 hours confirming my availability.
You can check Confirming, Payment & Cancellation Policy here
LOW Season Discounts
If you are visiting between December 1 and 22 or January 5 and March 7 a discount is available on this tour.
For 2026/27 rates and bookings send an enquiry via the How to Book/Make an Enquiry form below.
© 2013 - 2025 Joan Sheridan Freelance Tour Guide. All rights reserved.
