Senglea — known as L-Isla in Maltese — is one of Malta’s historic Three Cities, offering a unique blend of architectural charm, local authenticity, and peaceful residential life. Unlike the island’s more crowded tourist hubs, Senglea stands out with one rare and valuable advantage: free and easy parking. This makes it an ideal base for visitors who want to explore Malta while avoiding the usual parking challenges found in Valletta, Sliema or St. Julian’s.
Why Senglea Is One of Malta’s Best Places to Stay
Effortless, Free Parking
Senglea is one of the few places in Malta where finding a parking spot remains surprisingly simple. For travellers renting a car, this is a major benefit and a strong reason to choose L-Isla over other areas.
A Perfect Base to Explore the Three Cities
Its central location gives quick access to:
- Birgu (Vittoriosa)
- Bormla (Cospicua)
- The Grand Harbour
- Waterfront promenades and panoramic viewpoints
Senglea combines tranquillity with proximity, offering the best of both worlds.
Fast Connections to Valletta Thanks to the Three Cities Ferry
One of Senglea’s greatest strengths is its excellent connection to Valletta. The Three Cities ferry provides a fast, scenic and comfortable link to the capital in just a few minutes.
From Valletta, travellers can easily continue their journey:
- via the fast ferry to Gozo,
- or by boarding the catamaran to Sicily, with stops in Pozzallo and Ragusa.
This seamless combination of sea and land transport makes Senglea a strategic hub for exploring Malta and beyond.
Ferries to Gozo and Sicily in the Valletta Grand Harbour
Senglea’s Proximity to Malta International Airport
Only 8 km from Malta International Airport, Senglea is easy to reach via:
- Taxi and ride-hailing services (Bolt, Uber, eCabs)
- Buses 214, 1, 72 and 213 (Redentur stop for The Snop House)
- Private transfers available 24/7
The journey is quick and convenient, whether you’re arriving for a short stay or a longer visit.
How to Get to Senglea from Malta’s Main Cities
Senglea is connected through several well-served bus routes. Here’s how to reach it from key locations:
From Valletta
- Direct line: 1
- Nearby line: 2
- ⏱ Travel time: under 20 minutes
From Mdina (the Medieval Capital)
- Lines 51 or 52 to Valletta
- Change to lines 1, 2, or take the ferry
- Dingli cliffs accessible via lines 55 or 56
From Marsaxlokk (Famous Fishing Village)
- Lines 81 or 206 via Birgu
- Line 210 via Paola
From Malta’s Eastern Sandy Beaches
- Accessible via Valletta (ferry or bus to Senglea):
- Golden Bay: line 222
- Mellieħa: lines 101 or 222
- Gnejna Bay / Mgarr: lines 41 or 48
From Malta’s Megalithic Temples
- Direct routes to Tarxien Temples & Hypogeum via line 1
- For southern temples like Ħaġar Qim: lines 72 and 74 from Birgu
From Sliema
- Connections via Valletta: lines 13, 14, 16
- Or the Sliema–Valletta ferry, then ferry to Senglea
From Malta International Airport
- Direct route from Birgu: lines 71 and 73
- Or indirect via Valletta: line 211, then line 1 or ferry
Tallinja App: The Essential Tool for Getting Around Malta
The official public transport system in Malta is Tallinja, which provides a mobile app featuring:
- Real-time route planning
- Live bus tracking
- Bus stop locations
- Service alerts
- Digital ticket purchasing
A must-download for navigating the island efficiently.
Senglea: A Peaceful, Accessible Gateway to the Best of Malta
Whether you’re visiting for a cultural getaway, a short holiday, or a local exploration, Senglea offers unmatched accessibility by both land and sea. Thanks to its excellent connections across Malta — especially through Valletta — it serves as a practical, authentic, and well-organised base for exploring the island.
And for effortless navigation, simply type “The Snop House Senglea” into Google Maps and follow the suggested route.
