Ride A Dghajsa!

If you go to Malta, you’d be a fool not to visit Valletta. And if you go to Valletta, you’d be a fool not to go and see the Grand Harbour. And if you go to the Grand Harbour, you’d be a fool not to see it from the water. So don’t be a fool and get yourself on the water a Maltese water taxi – ride a dghajsa!

There’s no doubt that, in the absence of your own helicopter, a boat is the form of transport that provides the best possible panoramas of this magnificent city. So if you want to see Valletta in all its stunning glory and get some top holiday pics to take home and show your friends, then read on my friends.

Dghajsas (pronounced dye - sas) are small colourful traditional Maltese boats that leave from the recently refurbished Valletta Waterfront complex, which is well worth a visit in itself.

These centuries old former storage warehouses established by the Knights of Malta have been transformed into a selection of fine eateries with waterside tables that make for a terrific place to enjoy an evening meal with excellent views across the harbour at night-time. The waterfront is also where the many cruise liners that visit Malta berth during their visit. 


Once on board your much smaller vessel you will be taken on a tour of the harbour and shown its stunning points of interest ranging from old fortifications to that magnificent sea view of the capital city. 


You will also be shown sites like the inner creeks of the harbour, which are still heavily used as commercial centres, the imposing Three Cities, which were built by the Knights as well as things like the bombed out breakwater, the Seige Bell memorial and the set of the Hollywood blockbuster, Gladiator.

And, the old really does meet the new on the water taxis as each passenger is provided with a multilingual audio guide that talks you through the entire trip. 
 These simple-to-use audio guides are available in English, Maltese, Italian, French, Spanish and German and each passenger is given a map to help them navigate their way around the harbour. Helped, of course, by the friendly dghajsa boatman, who will propel you around the harbour using the oars and nothing else! 


These very reasonably priced tours leave at all times of day, provided there are cruise liners in port. It will be one of the most interesting hours you will spend in Malta. Just make sure you have plenty of room on your camera’s memory card before you set off.

If you want a more romantic experience for that special someone in your life then Something Different offers a moonlight cruise by dghajsa around the Grand Harbour along with many other memorable experiences.

You can expect to see views of Pinto Wharf, The Fish Market, the Knights Hospitaliers, the Siege Bell, Fort St Elmo, The Breakwater, Fort Ricasoli and the Fort St Angelo, along with the three cities - Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. This memorable trip costs €60 and includes a bottle of wine to enjoy as you are rowed around the harbour. Magical stuff! Click on the link below for booking details.