Do you want to run a coastal trail away from Valletta's old town during your cruise? This route takes you from Marsaskala in southeastern Malta to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Along the way, you'll pass several bays and viewpoints along the coast, including the Hofriet Window and the famous St. Peter's Pool.
**Important note about the start:** This route requires a transfer. From the cruise port, you can reach the bus terminal in Valletta in about 15 minutes on foot. From there, buses (e.g., lines 91, 92, 93 – as of 2026) go to Marsaskala. For the return trip from Marsaxlokk, you can also take the bus or alternatively order a Bolt. Plan about 45 to 60 minutes each for the way there and back, and allow for sufficient buffer time. The price for bus fares as of 2026 is 2 euros in winter and 2.50 euros in summer. At the bus stop, you should extend your arm to signal the bus driver to stop. Also, remember that Malta has left-hand traffic, so you need to stand on the left side of the bus stop in the direction of travel.
The starting point is at the "Bajja" bus stop in Marsaskala. From there, you reach the small harbor and a coastal path after a few meters, which gently ascends and offers views of the bay. The route then follows a well-marked hiking trail along the coast. Optionally, you can add a detour to the Ta' Kalanka Sea Cave, which is accessible via stairs. Afterward, the path continues along the coast with several viewpoints.
Further along, you'll reach Hofriet Window and shortly after, St. Peter's Pool. Access is via a parking lot and short paths on solid ground. From there, the route continues towards Marsaxlokk. The last section takes you along a footpath down to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Along the promenade, you'll reach the "Xerriex" bus stop, from which you can return to Valletta.
A varied coastal trail with many scenic highlights along the southeast coast of Malta, which we highly recommend. Especially the section around St. Peter's Pool and the destination in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk make the route appealing. The only downside is the necessary transfers for the outward and return journeys.
If you start early, you can combine the trail with a visit to Valletta. After returning, you can take a walk through the old town on our 7 km route or a guided tour to learn more about the city's history. Alternatively, after the trail, you can plan an active excursion on the water. We highly recommend starting with the trail first, so you don't run into time difficulties on the way back.
The route starts in Marsaskala and is not directly accessible from the cruise port. You need a transfer by bus or taxi, or Bolt or Uber.
You can either follow the route directly on the map on this page or import the GPX file into a navigation app like Komoot. We recommend navigating via the GPX file, as it is significantly more precise and you get clear guidance via GPS while running. After saving the GPX file in your app, you can usually use the map offline. We recommend testing the navigation in airplane mode without active Wi-Fi beforehand to ensure it works even without an internet connection.
Tip: For safety, it is still useful to have internet access on the go. If your mobile provider in Malta does not offer data roaming or only at high costs, a global data plan that works in many countries is suitable for cruises – for example, from eSIM.sm (advertisement).
The route mainly runs along hiking trails with little traffic. Individual sections may be uneven, but overall it is well walkable and runnable.
Allow enough time for the return journey, as traffic in Malta, and especially in Valletta, can be very heavy. In case of emergency, it is also advisable to save the ship's phone number in advance. You should also have apps like Uber or Bolt on your phone and be familiar with their use. Uber and Bolt work very well in Malta.
There is a public restroom in Marsaxlokk on the promenade. Drinking water points are not known along the route. In Marsaxlokk, however, you can buy something to drink.
The route runs on hiking trails, partly unpaved, as well as short asphalt sections. Trail or sturdy running shoes are an advantage. You should think about sun protection (ad) and bring enough water. You can pay for buses with cash or card.