These harbour hubs are drenched in stirring relics of war, religious landmarks and other echoes of the past.

1 Valletta, Malta

The island of Malta has long been coveted due to its strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea. Its Grand Harbour in the capital, Valletta, was one of the most heavily fortified ports in Europe, and its extensive naval fortifications make a dramatic backdrop for cruise ships. Some of the largest forts standing today were built or heavily modified by the Knights Hospitaller, the Catholic military order that ruled Malta from the 16th-18th centuries and famously fought off an Ottoman attack during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Begin at the National War Museum at Fort St Elmo, which includes a poignant World War II display detailing the bombing by the Axis Powers, and take a water taxi from the city to Fort St Angelo for a guided tour and some of the best harbour views.

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