Rowing game: a dgħajsa at the Birgu Waterfront

Across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, the Birgu Waterfront used to open only on event nights. Now it's open every day, and you can walk the whole quay. At the end, by the water, there's a rowing game: a dgħajsa, the harbour's own painted rowing boat, for up to four of you. It's in Malta Living, the free life sim played in your browser.

Walking the quay

You come in from the Freedom Monument end. Along the old naval buildings:

• The Maritime Museum. A new plaque by the doors every day: a true fact about Birgu and the harbour. Free.
• The café terrace. A coffee (€1.80), a slice of almond cake (€3) or a fresh lemonade (€2.50) at a harbour table, with whoever's there.
• The stalls. The lace stall, and the kiosk's ħobż biż-żejt (€4.50), eaten on the quay wall.
• The stage. Buskers in the evening, 18:00 to 23:00. On event nights, the show itself.

By the water:

• The dgħajsa landing. Ivan, the boatman, and the boat. More below.
• The yacht berths. Spot the superyachts: three a day. Name each one's flag, then guess its length.
• The Fort St Angelo view. A photo across the creek to the fort. At sunset there's a gold-lit one.

Rowing the dgħajsa

Tap Row · free at the landing. If a boat is boarding, you jump aboard; if not, one sets off with you in 15 seconds. Anyone else at the landing who taps Row in that time joins the same boat, up to four of you.

Then there are 30 seconds of strokes: left oar, right oar, a beat each second. Pull the lit oar as its beat reaches the line. Close to the beat is perfect, a little off is good. Every rower's timing goes into the crossing: the better the crew keeps time together, the faster you're across and back. Afterwards you're all a little closer, as with any game you play together, and your arms have a little more Fitness.

It's a nice one for friends. Meet your club at the landing, all tap Row, and see how fast you can make it.

Saturday mornings: regatta practice

The Grand Harbour's real regattas are rowed every year on 31 March and 8 September. In the game, every boat that leaves on a Saturday morning, 08:00 to 12:00, is regatta practice. The week's fastest crews go on the board at the landing, with their crossing times. It starts again every Monday.

Event nights

Birgu's open-air events still happen here, listed in Bonġu! → What's on. They add their own show and stalls on their nights (real events in the game). The rest of the week, the quay is yours.

Birgu is the oldest of the Three Cities, home to the Knights of St John before Valletta was built (Birgu on Wikipedia). Close by, you can drive a crane at the Paola Building Site. New here? Read what Malta Living is, or play Malta Living free and head for the harbour.

Questions people ask

Is the Birgu Waterfront open every day in Malta Living?

Yes. Since 24 October it's open every day, and event nights add their show.

How many people can row a dgħajsa together?

Up to four in a boat. Everyone at the landing who taps Row within 15 seconds joins the same boat.

When is regatta practice?

Saturday mornings, 08:00 to 12:00 Malta time. The week's fastest crews are on the board.

Does rowing cost anything?

No. Rowing, the plaque, the yachts, the buskers and the view are all free.