Valletta - Surroundings Attractions

To the north of Vittoriosa is the picturesque little township of Kalkara (pop. 2,200). Here are built the dghajjes, the gondola-like boats which ply across the harbor to Valletta. At the tip of the promontory which reaches out into the sea north of Kalkara is the 17th century Fort Ricasoli.

At the tip of the promontory, which reaches out into the sea north of Kalkara is the 17th century Fort Ricasoli.

Marsa, the next little township to Floriana, lies at the end of Grand Harbor. Here are concentrated most of the industrial establishments founded after the British withdrawal in order to reduce the unemployment resulting from the loss of the naval base. The town has no features of particular tourist interest.

On a promontory at the west end of the harbor is the select residential area of Ta' Xbiex, with Lazzaretto Creek, in which some of Marsamxett's most expensive yachts lie at anchor. Immediately north of this is the industrial town of Gzira (pop. 9,000), from which there is a causeway leading to Manoel Island and Fort Manoel, built by the Knights in 1730.