On your next visit to Malta, whether on holiday or as part of a group, a Harbour Cruise in and around Malta's famous Grand Harbour is a must. Apart from our scheduled Harbour Cruises, Hera Cruises is the specialist charter provider of private tours in Malta's Grand Harbour. Malta's natural Grand Harbour is surrounded by the three cities and Valletta (Malta's Capital City).

Valletta

The Fortress City, Citta' Umilissima, "a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen". Valletta has many titles, all recalling its rich historical past. It is the "modern" city built by the Knights of St John; a masterpiece of the baroque; a European Art City; and a World Heritage City. But these are just some of its faces and fortunes. Valletta is also Malta's capital city: a living, working city, the administrative and commercial heart of the Islands. Nowhere in Malta is the life of the Islands reflected more than here. The city is busy by day, yet retains a timeless atmosphere. The grids of narrow streets house some of Europe's finest art works, churches and palaces.
(Text is courtesy of the Malta Tourism Authority website www.visitmalta.com)

The Three Cities

The Three Cities on the other hand offer an intriguing insight into Malta and its history.  Left largely unvisited, the Three Cities are a slice of authentic life, and a glimpse into Malta's maritime fortunes. The Three Cities can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history.  Vittoriosa and Senglea on rocky promontories jutting into Grand Harbour, and Cospicua at the end of the creek between, have provided a home and fortress to almost every people who settled here. Their harbour inlets have been in use since Phoenician times: the docks always providing a living for local people, but also leaving them vulnerable when Malta's rulers were at war. As the first home to the Knights of St John, the Cities, palaces, churches, forts and bastions are far older than Valletta's. The local communities here celebrate holy days and festas as nowhere else on the Islands.  The most spectacular events are the Easter processions when statues of the "Risen Christ" are carried at a run through crowded streets. Another attraction is the Birgu Festival in October which re-enacts the arrival of the Knights on Malta in 1530. Although renamed by the Knights to reflect their victory over the Ottoman Turks, the Cities are still called by their older names of Birgu, L'Isla and Bormla.  They are known as the Cottonera after the Grand Master Cottoner who built their inland defences. Understanding this name game is all part of discovering a fascinating area of the Islands.
(Text is courtesy of the Malta Tourism Authority website www.visitmalta.com)

Along our private Harbour Cruise tour, we also cruise past and see fort Manoel, Fort St. Elmo, Fort St. Angelo (headquarters of the Knights of Malta in the Great Siege in 1565 and again the headquarters of the British navy in the 2nd world war) Our cruise will also cruise along the Drydocks (7 in all) and also along Fort Ricasoli which is nowadays used as a film set. Infact a number of famous films such as Gladiator and Helen of Troy have recently been filmed here.

The Hera Cruises Harbour Cruise offers a different kind of beauty with the fortifications and the forts which are dotted along this cruise. Both yachts are fully equipped with PA system, a fully stocked international bar, comfortable teak and eroco benches on both port and starboard side as well as cushioned areas on-board provide extremely comfortable seating. A Malta Grand Harbour cruise with Hera Cruises is a must on your itinerary and we look forward to hearing from you soon.