South Eastern Malta covers fifteen towns around the Grand Harbour and the southeast coast, from the capital Valletta and the fortified Three Cities to the prehistoric Hypogeum and Tarxien temples and the fishing port of Marsaxlokk.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in South Eastern.
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1
St John's Co-Cathedral
Baroque conventual church of the Knights of St John with a gilded interior, inlaid marble tomb slabs and Caravaggio's The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist in the oratory.
Tip: Arrive soon after opening on a weekday to avoid cruise-ship crowds · The audio guide is included in the reported ticket price; allow time to hear the main stops · Cover shoulders and knees; the building is an active church · Check the website for closures during services and on Sundays · Look down as well as up: the floor slabs are among the main sights · Photography rules on flash and tripods are enforced by staff
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2
Grand Master's Palace and Armoury
Palace of the Grand Masters and now the seat of the President of Malta, with tapestry-hung State Rooms and one of Europe's larger historic armouries.
Tip: Check Heritage Malta's closure notices before going; State Rooms close on official function days · Arrive soon after opening to avoid late-morning cruise-ship crowds · Last admission is 30 minutes before closing · Allow extra time to see both the State Rooms and the Armoury · A combined Heritage Malta pass can lower the cost if visiting several sites
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3
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Raised arcaded terrace garden with the classic panorama of the Grand Harbour, Fort St Angelo and the Three Cities, and the daily Saluting Battery.
Tip: Arrive 15 minutes before a gun salute to secure a spot at the railing · Late afternoon gives warm light on the Three Cities for photographs · Entry to the gardens is free · Combine with Lower Barrakka Gardens and the Siege Bell Memorial on one walk · Confirm salute times locally as they can change
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4
Lower Barrakka Gardens
Quiet terrace garden above the Grand Harbour with a neoclassical monument to Sir Alexander Ball and views toward Fort Ricasoli and the harbour entrance.
Tip: Visit in late afternoon for golden light over the harbour mouth · Pair with the Siege Bell Memorial, a few minutes' walk away · Bring water in summer; shade is limited on the terrace · Entry is free, so it works as a short break between paid sights
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5
Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum
Star-shaped fort at the seaward tip of Valletta that held out in the 1565 Great Siege and now houses the National War Museum, covering Malta from the Knights to the Second World War.
Tip: Arrive in the morning to avoid cruise-ship crowds · Check Heritage Malta for closed sections and reduced admission · Wear a hat and bring water; the ramparts are exposed · Time a Sunday visit for the In Guardia parade · Last admission is 30 minutes before closing
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6
MUZA National Community Art Museum
Maltese national art collection in the 16th-century Auberge d'Italie, with works from the medieval to the modern period.
Tip: Weekday afternoons are reported as quieter · Last admission is 30 minutes before closing · Check heritagemalta.mt for seasonal hours and temporary exhibitions · Combine with the National Museum of Archaeology nearby · Concession prices apply for youths, seniors and students
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7
Manoel Theatre (Teatru Manoel)
Baroque theatre built in 1731 under Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena, among the oldest working theatres in Europe, with a small museum and a season of music and drama.
Tip: Confirm tour times on the official website as they follow the event schedule · Book ahead for evening performances · Daytime tours are the best way to see the auditorium in detail · Photography is usually limited during performances · Smart casual dress is customary for evening events
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8
Casa Rocca Piccola
Noble family palazzo of the de Piro marquises, still lived in, with a 45-minute guided tour and access to a Second World War air-raid shelter.
Tip: Tours in English run on the hour; arrive just before the hour · Check casarocca.com for current opening days and prices · Admission reported at EUR 9 for adults and EUR 5 for students · Weekday mornings are generally quietest · Ask the guide about photography rules at the start
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9
National Museum of Archaeology
Collection of Neolithic finds from Malta's temples, including the Sleeping Lady figurine from the Hypogeum, in the Baroque Auberge de Provence.
Tip: Visit before Tarxien or the Hypogeum to see the finds in context · Last admission is 30 minutes before closing · Allow about an hour · Check seasonal hours on heritagemalta.mt · Reduced fares apply to youths, seniors and children
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10
Siege Bell Memorial
Large bell and memorial chapel unveiled in 1992 in memory of the 7,000 Allied servicemen and Maltese civilians who died in the Second World War siege of Malta.
Tip: Combine with Lower Barrakka Gardens next door · Confirm locally when the bell is rung · Late afternoon gives soft light for photographs · Keep voices low; it is a commemorative site
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Terrace garden with the Grand Harbour panorama.
Lower Barrakka Gardens
Quiet garden above the harbour mouth.
Siege Bell Memorial
1992 memorial to the Second World War siege dead.
Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
Painted luzzu boats and Sunday fish market.
St Thomas Tower
Knights-era watchtower on Marsaskala bay.
Museums
National Museum of Archaeology
Neolithic finds in Auberge de Provence.
MUZA
National community art museum in Auberge d'Italie.
Inquisitor's Palace
Courtrooms and cells of the Roman Inquisition.
Casa Rocca Piccola
Lived-in noble palazzo with air-raid shelter.
Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum
Great Siege fort and war museum.
Religious
St John's Co-Cathedral
Baroque church with Caravaggio's Beheading.
Collegiate Church of St Lawrence
Birgu church on the Knights' first conventual site.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces
Votive sanctuary and museum in Zabbar.
Archaeology
Hal Saflieni Hypogeum
Prehistoric underground burial complex; book ahead.
Hal Tarxien Temples
Neolithic temples with carved reliefs.
Palaces_and_fortresses
Grand Master's Palace and Armoury
Presidential palace with State Rooms and armoury.
Fort St Angelo
Knights' headquarters at the tip of Birgu.
Manoel Theatre
1731 Baroque theatre and museum.
Gardens_and_nature
St Peter's Pool
Natural rock swimming spot on Delimara.
Gardjola Gardens
Senglea tip viewpoint.
Argotti Botanic Gardens
Botanic garden in Floriana.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Heritage Malta museums and sites are closed on 1 January, Good Friday and 24, 25 and 31 December, and last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Hours are seasonal and published at heritagemalta.mt/opening-hours; the St John's Co-Cathedral closes on Sundays except for worship.
- Fees
- Hypogeum EUR 35 (USD 40.25) adult; Grand Master's Palace EUR 12 (USD 13.80); Fort St Elmo EUR 10 (USD 11.50); MUZA EUR 10 (USD 11.50); Fort St Angelo EUR 10 (USD 11.50); Tarxien EUR 6 (USD 6.90); National Museum of Archaeology EUR 5 (USD 5.75); St John's Co-Cathedral EUR 15 (USD 17.25); Casa Rocca Piccola EUR 9 (USD 10.35). Gardens, memorials and the Marsaxlokk quay are free.
- Best Times
- April to early June and late September to October for 20 to 28 C. Visit Valletta early in the day, and swim at St Peter's Pool in June or September to avoid crowds.
- Booking
- Book the Hypogeum as early as possible at booking.heritagemalta.org; the 10-person limit sells out weeks ahead. Other Heritage Malta tickets are sold online at heritagemalta.mt/store and at the door. A Heritage Malta multi-site pass can reduce costs for several sites; confirm at the store.
- Dress Code
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches, including St John's Co-Cathedral. Wear flat closed shoes for the Hypogeum.
- Emergency
- General emergency number in Malta: 112.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Book the Hypogeum before arriving in Malta; last-minute tickets cost EUR 50 (USD 57.50).
Walk Valletta in the morning; the steep streets are hot and busy by midday in July and August.
Take the Seabus ferry from Valletta (Lascaris Wharf) to the Three Cities for views of the harbour.
Carry small change for buses and cash for small cafes and kiosks.
Download the Tallinja app for bus routes and live times.
Dress modestly for churches, and wear sturdy shoes for cobbled and stepped streets.
Frequently asked questions
How many days are enough for the attractions of South Eastern Malta?
Two days cover Valletta and the Three Cities; add a half day for the Hypogeum and Tarxien Temples, and another half day for Marsaxlokk and St Peter's Pool.
Do I need to book the Hypogeum in advance?
Yes. Entry is limited to 10 people per tour and tickets sell out weeks ahead. Book at booking.heritagemalta.org; last-minute tickets are released one day before the visit at EUR 50 (USD 57.50).
How much does it cost to enter St John's Co-Cathedral?
Visitor guides report EUR 15 (USD 17.25) for adults and EUR 12 (USD 13.80) for seniors and students, with children under 12 free; confirm at stjohnscocathedral.com.
How do I get from Valletta to Birgu?
Take bus 1, 2 or 3 from the Valletta terminus at City Gate, or the Seabus ferry from Lascaris Wharf, reached by the Barrakka Lift from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Confirm timetables on the Tallinja app.
Is St Peter's Pool in South Eastern Malta?
Yes. It lies on the Delimara peninsula in the locality of Marsaxlokk. It is best reached by car or taxi, as public bus service to the pool itself is limited.