Upper Barrakka Gardens – Valletta

A welcomed break from the hustle and bustle of the city ….

The Upper Barrakka Gardens are perhaps one of the best points in Valletta, from where you can see the Grand Harbour in its full glory!

One can really spend hours here, just savoring the views.

Situated near Castille Place, the gardens date back to 1661 when they were essentially private gardens of the Italian Knights. Their auberges lie nearby.

In 1824, the Upper Barrakka Gardens were opened to the public. From here you will also get stunning views of the Three Cities.

The gardens are quite small. However, they’re very popular with both locals and visitors. They provide a perfect refuge from the busy Valletta streets and of course a spectacular view of the magnificent Grand Harbour!

The gardens are actually divided into two parts, the Upper Barrakka and Lower Barrakka. The Upper Barrakka part being the most popular.

The gardens also have numerous statues and monuments. Worthy of a mention is one dedicated to Winston Churchill and another to Sir Alexander Ball which is located right at the centre of the Lower Barrakka gardens.

The gardens are open daily from 7.30 am till dusk and entrance is free.

From the gardens (or from Triq il-Batterija) you can access the Saluting Battery.

This battery is spread over a series of chambers which were used to store ammunition. Nowadays, there is a vast display of weaponry from when it was used as an artillery battery to protect the Grand Harbour. There are guided tours on the hour and there’s also two films which are showed in rotation.

At noon and sunset, a cannon is fired from here as a salute. This is a practice that dates back from the British Rule in Malta.

The Saluting Battery is open daily from 9.00 am till 5.00 pm. Entrance Fee: Euro 4.70.

The famous three cities are clearly visible from the gardens and make for a spectacular view. Learn more about these charming medieval cities by visiting our Three Cities section. They're well worth a visit if your itinerary allows it.

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