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However, there are plenty others scattered across the Maltese islands: Mdina, Vittoriosa and Gozo island hosting some of the best ones apart from those located at Valletta.
In general, admission fees to museums in Malta are quite affordable so be sure to check out at least a few while holidaying in Malta. You will gain a better understanding of what Malta went through over the years as a nation and how the Maltese culture has developed over the past centuries.
Museums in Malta: Valletta
National Museum of Archaeology
Location: Republic Street, Valletta, Malta
Tel: 2122 1623
Opening Hours: Daily - 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 2.33
Probably the most captivating of all museums in Malta, the Museum of Archaeology houses various exhibits that date back to the New Stone Age period, Bronze Age, Phoenician and Roman period. The museum is located in the capital of Malta, Valletta.
Perhaps the highlight of the museum are the so-called “fat ladies” figurines – said to represent the fertility goddess. The Venus de Malta (as they’re also called) are sure to intrigue the visitor, especially when you realize that these statuettes date from around 3000 BC.
National Museum of Fine Arts
Location: South Street, Valletta, Malta
Tel: 2122 5769
Opening Hours: Daily - 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 2.33
This baroque palazzo houses a good sized collection of mostly Italian and Maltese paintings ranging from the 15th to the 20th Century. The highlights of the museum is Turner’s impeccable watercolour painting of the Grand Harbour and a couple of impressive paintings from Mattia Preti. If you're an art lover, then of course this is one of the museums in Malta that you should visit.
St John’s Co-Cathedral and Museum
Location: Republic Street, Valletta, Malta
Tel: 2122 0536
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 9.30am to 4.30pm, Sat 9.30am to 1.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 5.80
If you only had time to visit a couple of museums in Malta, then this would have to be one of them. The cathedral itself is impressive to say the least, but what draws thousands of visitors each year is the world famous Caravaggio painting “The Beheading of St John The Baptist” that’s in the museum. “St Jerome” another masterpiece from the turbulent Italian painter is also exhibited in the Cathedral museum.
War Museum
Location: St. Sebastian’s Spur, Fort St. Elmo complex, Valletta, Malta
Tel: 2122 2430
Opening Hours: Daily – 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 2.33
The museum has a collection of relics, equipment and photographs from WWII. The whole museum is a commemoration of what Malta went through during the war. The star of the museum is the Faith, the only survivor of three biplanes that defended the islands bravely in 1939. A replica of the George Cross medal awarded to Malta for its bravery is also on display.
Grand Master’s Palace and the Armoury
Location: Misrah San Gorg, Valletta, Malta
Tel: 2124 9349
Opening Hours Palace: Mon to Fri (Closed on Thursdays) 10.00am to 4.00pm, Sat – Sun 9.00am to 5.00pm
Opening Hours Armoury: Daily 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fees: Palace Euro 4.66, Armoury Euro 4.70
The palace is an impressive building with an interior that is choc-a-block with artistic gems that have been accumulated over the centuries.
Impressive frescoes, massive chandeliers and breathtaking tapestries all add to the uniqueness of the interior décor. The armoury hosts an impressive 5000 pieces of armaments that were produced between the sixteenth and the eighteenth centuries, making it the museum that possesses the largest collection from all of the museums in Malta.
If the Knights of Malta interest you, then you should definitely not miss a visit to the armoury.
Lascaris War Rooms
Location: Lascaris Bastion, Valletta, Malta
Tel: 2123 4936
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 9.30am to 4.00pm, Sat & Sun 9.30pm to 12.30pm
Admission Fee: Euro 4.00
An underground complex, the Lascaris War Rooms give a vivid depiction of the atmosphere during World War II. The location of the museum was originally used by the Knights of St John as living quarters for their slaves, but later got used by the British forces as their centre of operations and headquarters.
Museums in Malta: Mdina
National Museum of Natural History
Location: Pjazza San Publju, Mdina, Malta
Tel: 2145 5951
Opening Hours: Daily 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 2.33
An old museum that is in bad need of renovation, it has lots of glass cabinets with stuffed animals in them. Don’t expect to see any interactive displays that are a must in modern natural history museums worldwide. The geology exhibit explains Malta’s landscape origins and displays fossils that were found in the rocks.
Mdina Dungeons
Location: Pjazza San Publju, Mdina, Malta
Tel: 2145 0267
Opening Hours: Daily 9.30am to 4.30pm
Admission Fee: Euro 4.00
This is perhaps the most gruesome museum from all museums in Malta!
It depicts the various acts of torture that used to happen in Malta over the ages, under the various rulers. Some of the torture acts depicted were actually committed in the same place where there is the museum today. Not for those who are easily scared. Surprisingly, older children seem to enjoy a visit to this museum.
Mdina Cathedral Museum
Location: Pjazza Ta’ L-Arcisqof, Mdina, Malta
Tel: 2145 4697
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 9.30am to 4.30pm, Sat 9.30am to 3.30pm
Admission Fee: Euro 2.50 (including entrance to Cathedral)
Across the road from the Cathedral, the museum is a rich showcase of Catholic art with several paintings, chalices and altars among other things. One of the highlights of the museum is a series of 53 woodcuts and copperplates by Albrecht Durer.
The Roman Domus
Location: Il-Wesgha tal-Muzew, Mdina, Malta
Tel: 2145 4125
Opening Hours: Daily 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 4.66
This museum is built around its main attraction, the Roman Villa built at around 50 AD. There are plenty of Roman relics to be admired such as mosaic floors, amphorae, pottery and sculptures.
If you'd like to learn more about the captivating medieval city of Mdina, visit our Attractions in Malta: Mdina page for more information.
Museums in Malta: Vittoriosa
Malta Maritime Museum
Location: Ix-Xatt tal-Birgu, Vittoriosa, Malta
Tel: 2166 0052
Opening Hours: Daily 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 4.66
Well worth a visit, especially by Maritime enthusiasts, this museum has well-displayed exhibits ranging from traditional Maltese fishing boats, British naval vessels and models of the Knights’ galleys which played a crucial role in the power that the Knights of Malta had in the Mediterranean.
Museum of Ethnography
Triq il-Mina l-Kbira, Vittoriosa, Malta
Tel: 2182 7006
Opening Hours: Daily 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 4.66
Located in the Inquisitor’s Palace, this museum’s main focus are the religious values and traditions in the Maltese culture over the years. The palace itself is an architectural gem and is well worth a visit.
Interested in learning more about the charming town of Vittoriosa? Visit our Places in Malta: The 3 Cities page for more information.
Museums in Malta: Gozo island
Gozo Cathedral Museum
Location: Triq il-Fosos, Victoria, Gozo
Tel: 2155 6087
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 2.30 (combined tickets with other Citadella museums available)
Found at the back of the church, this museum holds many historical riches ranging from tapestries to religious art among which a gruesome painting of the martyrdom of St. Agatha.
Gozo Museum of Archaeology
Location: Triq Bieb l-Imdina, Victoria, Gozo
Tel: 2155 6144
Opening Hours: Daily 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 2.30 (combined tickets with other Citadella museums available)
Exhibiting findings from the Prehistoric Temple of Ggantija as well as relics from the Punic and Roman periods such as terracotta cremation urns, jewelery and amphorae. Although not as extensive as the Malta one, this is one of the finest from all Gozo museums.
Gozo Museum of Folklore
Location: Triq Bernardo de Opuo, Victoria, Gozo
Tel: 2156 2034
Opening Hours: Daily 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 2.30 (combined tickets with other Citadella museums available)
Housed in a charming old building, the Folklore Museum has a large collection of traditional trade and farming equipment giving an insight on rural life on Gozo island.
Overall, most visitors agree that the building itself is far more interesting than the exhibits. The building dates back to around 1500.
Old Prisons
Location: Misrah il-Katidral, Victoria, Gozo
Tel: 2156 5988
Opening Hours: Daily 9.00am to 5.00pm
Admission Fee: Euro 2.30 (combined tickets with other Citadella museums available)
Featuring original graffiti from inmates, the building served as a jail from the 1500s to 1904. The many historic graffiti etched on the walls makes it an interesting visit. These include crosses, ships and the cross of the Knights.
These are just the main museums in Malta and Gozo. There are others that are not as popular and cater for specific interests and niches.
So if you're pressed for time, we suggest that you start off by going through the above list of museums. We're sure that you'll find a few that will interest you.
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