A fortified peninsula in Malta's Grand Harbor with narrow streets, 16th-century bastions, and a waterfront promenade lined with traditional fishing boats.
Senglea sits on a narrow peninsula in Malta's Grand Harbour, the smallest of the Three Cities. Walk through its 16th-century streets to find carved religious niches in limestone walls, watch ships pass beneath the Gardjola watchtower, or step into the basilica where a centuries-old statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. From Senglea Point, you'll see Valletta's 40-meter-high fortress walls rising across the water while cargo ships and local fishing boats navigate the harbor below.
Getting to Senglea
You can reach Senglea from Valletta by ferry, which departs every 30 minutes from the Valletta Waterfront. The ferry journey takes about 10 minutes and gives you views of the Grand Harbour. Buses run frequently from Valletta's main terminal, with routes 1 and 213 stopping at Senglea's main gate.
Walking Through the City
Enter through the main gate and walk along the narrow streets toward Senglea Point. The streets follow their original 16th-century layout, with wooden balconies painted in green and blue extending from the limestone buildings. Look for the carved religious niches at street corners - these small shrines date back to the Knights of Malta period, when residents placed candles in them each evening.
Maritime Festivals and Events
Join locals at the Senglea Maritime Festival in May to take boat tours around the harbor, taste local seafood, and listen to live music on the waterfront. Watch the traditional regatta races on March 31 and September 8, when teams from neighboring cities compete in the Grand Harbour. Walk along the waterfront promenade any morning to see local rowing clubs training on the water.
Religious Buildings and Art
Visit the Basilica of the Birth of Our Lady to see the statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer in its oratory. The church survived the 1813 plague outbreak intact, and in 1921 became a basilica. Near the peninsula's tip, St. Philip's Church (built in 1596) runs Malta's oldest community kitchen. In the city center, stop at the Madonna tan-Nofs statue, which marks where residents gathered during a historic plague outbreak.
Gardjola Gardens and Views
Walk to the tip of Senglea Point to find the Gardjola Gardens and their stone watchtower. Look closely at the watchtower's carvings - its eyes and ears symbolize vigilance. From here, you can see Valletta's fortifications, Fort St. Angelo, and ships moving through the harbor. Rest on the benches under carob trees while watching the maritime traffic below.
Fortifications
The Knights of Malta built Fort Saint Michael and its walls in 1552, creating defenses that helped Senglea withstand the Ottoman siege of 1565. This earned Senglea the name "Civitas Invicta" (Unconquered City). Visit the Sheer Bastion, known locally as il-Maċina, to see the restored mechanism once used to lift masts onto sailing ships. Recent restoration work has preserved the gun ports, ramparts, and defensive positions along the walls.
