Senglea is a fortified city watching out over the Grand Harbour and the Maltese capital Valletta. It belongs to an area in Malta known as the Three Cities. These three cities, Birgu, Cospicua, and Senglea, are famous for their massive fortifications. Also known by its Maltese name Isla, Senglea is the smallest of these three cities and also the most compact. It is to the most part a residential area protected by the massive sea walls.
Our blog posts about Senglea:
The History of Senglea
What is today the compact fortified city of Senglea, was once a hunting ground. The first known human construction was a church built in the early years of the 14th century. The area was until the 1550’s known as Isola di San Giuliano and it was at this time that major changes took place. The construction of a fort began in 1552 and eventually it led to the construction of the city of Senglea. The city was named after Grand Master Claude De La Sengle.
The city remained unconquered during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, giving it the nickname Civitas Invicta, “the Unconquered City”. The city survived many following events, all the way up to the Second World War. The German and Italian air raids of the war left Senglea severely damaged.
It took decades to rebuild the city after the war. The new basilica was completed first in 1957. The city that at the beginning of the century had been one of the most densely populated towns in Europe had changed a lot. Before the war, the Three Cities were the home of the island’s elite and the intelligentsia. Many of these people fled the area during the wartime air raids, and few of them moved back.
Sights in Senglea
Some of the main attractions include the narrow streets, the steep stairs down to the waterfront, and the huge fortifications around the city. There is certainly a lot to enjoy in Senglea and all these sights together are what create that feeling that Senglea is a town like no other.
Basilica of the Nativity of Mary
The Roman Catholic church in Senglea, known as the Basilica of the Nativity of Mary, is also the parish church. It is believed to have been built in 1580 and survived up until the Second World War. It was destroyed by the German and Italian bombings in 1941 and its restoration was not completed until 1957.
Bolier Wharf
The Grand Harbour can berth about three large vessels at the same time. It does, however, happen that the need is greater than that. This is when the quay in Senglea comes into use. Boler Wharf can take an additional cruise liner along the shores of the fortified city. The area now used as a quay was earlier part of the large Malta Shipyards, with drydocks in the bay.
Gardjola Gardens
At Senglea Point are the Gardjola Gardens and one of the best views of Valletta that you can get while keeping your feet on dry land. It is located on top of the bastion and in addition to Valletta, the view also includes the other areas around the Grand Harbour, such as Marsa and Fort Saint Angelo in Birgu. The gardens were built already in 1551 and got the addition of the small guard tower at the tip. The guard tower is known as Il-gardjola.
Saint Michael Bastion
At the center, guarding the Senglea peninsula against any attacks from land is the Saint Michael Bastion. The bastion is joined by the remains of Saint Michael Cavalier, a part of the fortifications that originally was the 16th century Fort Saint Michael. The cavalier was demolished in 1921.
Sheer Bastion
Sheer Bastion overlooks the inner parts of the bay between Senglea and Birgu, known as Dockyard Creek. In addition to offering a great view of the many boats and yachts in the marina, this is also a prominent part of the city’s fortifications.
Senglea Activities
Senglea is in many ways a fortified residential area and the usual activities for tourists are a bit harder to find. Many times you will have to head to the nearby cities to find activities such as sightseeing tours and water activities. Even restaurants are easier to find in Birgu or Valletta.
Beaches in Senglea
There are no official beaches in Senglea. Instead, there are a few places where swimming by some can be considered possible. For an official beach, then the closest is a bit north at Rinella Bay.
Hiking to and from Senglea
There are mainly two options for hiking. Either you follow the coast to the east or the coast to the west. The main difference between these two is if your focus is to stay within an urban area or also see more or rural Malta.
To the East
Following the coast, first to the north and later to the west, will eventually take you along a more rural path. If you walk about 10 kilometers you will eventually end up in the town of Marsaskala.
To the West
To the west is a more urban path. Walking around the Grand Harbour will take you to the capital of Valletta. You can either walk around the peninsula or continue across to the next bay and the waterfront path towards Sliema.
Shopping in Senglea
There are smaller shops along the narrow streets of Senglea. Even if you include the shops in nearby Birgu and Cospicua, the offer might be a bit limited for anyone looking for a day at a shopping center. For those wanting to go for a spending spree, there are a few options nearby. Go to Fgura and enjoy the less touristy shops along the main street, take the ferry to Valletta and enjoy the options in the capital, or go to Sliema and find the European-style shopping centers.
Excursions from Senglea
With Malta’s capital Valletta only a short ferry ride away most of the island is within easy reach. In addition to the possible extended trips with public transport from Valletta, many neighboring areas are within walking distance from Senglea.
Fgura
Fgura is a town right outside the walls of the Three Cities. The main street has many small shops, usually more oriented towards the locals than to tourists. This is also one of the easier places to find local busses to either Valletta or to towns such as Marsaskala.
Marsaskala
Marsaskala is another coastal resort town to the east. This former fishing village has grown into one of the larger towns in South-Eastern Malta.
From our visits:
- Marsaskala – Exploring Malta
- Malta Highlights – November 2021
- Marsaskala, Malta – Sant’Antnin Family Park
- Marsaskala, Malta – Exploring the Playgrounds
Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk is an old fishing village famous for its traditional colorful boats and the daily market. This is one of the main tourist attractions in the eastern part of Malta. The colorful fishing boats, Luzzu, are an addition to the Maltese culture dating back to the early 12th century.
From our visits:
The Three Cities – Birgu, Cospicua, and Senglea
Senglea is one of the Three Cities, the other two are the cities of Birgu and Cospicua. These two cities are within easy access for excursions from Senglea as they are just a short walk away.
From our visits:
- Birgu / Vittoriosa – Exploring Malta
- Senglea (Isla) – Exploring Malta
- Marsaskala, Malta – A Hike to Senglea
Valletta
Valletta, the capital of Malta, is one of the places that most people visiting the country will try to see at least once. It is also that city that you will see across the Grand Harbor each time you look out over the water. Its high walls and other fortifications make it an impressive sight and the view of the sea is never far away. The capital is just a short ferry ride away from Senglea and the Three Cities.
From our visits:
- Valletta – Exploring Malta
- Valletta, Malta – A Carnival in Town
- Valletta, Malta – A Kid Re-discovers the Island
Żabbar
The town of Żabbar is just a short walk away from the Three Cities and even though it is not the most tourist-oriented town on the island it still has a lot to discover. With the many traditional Maltese balconies, the Gallarijas, lining the streets and with fewer tourists, it is also easier to just stroll around. In addition, the fortifications of the Three Cities are right at the outskirts of the town and so is the large Park ta’ San Klement, with a playground for the kids.
From our visits:
Senglea with a Kid
Exploring Senglea with kids might be challenging. Finding activities such as playgrounds or even areas where they safely can run around is hard. The narrow streets with traffic and cars parked inconveniently for anyone traveling on foot make it especially hard for anyone with kids in a pram or stroller. Even worse if you try to bring the pram or stroller up or down the many stairs from the waterfront.
Read more about Malta with kids:
Playgrounds in Senglea
We have during our visits been unable to find any playground in Senglea. There is one next to the Senglea Primary School, but it has seemed inaccessible to the public. There are other small playgrounds in nearby Cospicua, but these require some walking for the kids and might be quite demanding for toddlers and smaller kids.
A larger playground can be found at Park ta’ San Klement outside the Cottonera Lines of the Three Cities.
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