Senglea

This tiny city across from the Valletta Waterfront offers a few places to stay and dine along with a small public park, Gardjola Gardens, and a few historic churches. Senglea is a popular stop on guided tours, from half-day tours of the Three Cities, which also include stops at Cospicua and Vittoriosa, to multi-day tours that cover much of Malta.

• Wear sunscreen and carry plenty of water, especially if you visit in summer.

• Much of the village is wheelchair accessible, but check with your tour operator for details before you set out.

• If you plan to visit a church, cover your shoulders and remove any hats out of respect.

Senglea is accessible from elsewhere in Malta by bus or ferry. Although it's right across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, the most reliable way to get between the two towns is by road, which takes around 20 minutes by car or half an hour by bus (lines 1, 2, and 3 connect the two). There's also a ferry service between Valletta and the Three Cities, though it is sometimes suspended due to inclement weather.

The best time to visit Senglea is in spring or fall, when the temperatures are pleasantly warm and the crowds mangeable. May and September are particularly pleasant, with a low likelihood of rainfall and better weather than in the peak July and August tourism season, when it can hit 88°F (31°C). Note that while most area attractions are open daily, some churches close for a few hours for lunch.

Of the Three Cities, Vittoriosa has the most attractions and is worth checking out after your visit to Senglea. Highlights include the Maritime Museum, Malta War Museum, and Church of St. Lawrence. Fans of history won't want to miss a stop at Fort St. Angelo, which was the headquarters of the Knights of Malta in the 1565 Great Siege of Malta.