Argotti Botanic Gardens

Argotti Botanic Gardens is a landscaped 18th-century garden in Floriana, near Valletta in Malta, set within the town's fortifications in the Triq Sant' Anna area. It is managed by the University of Malta and is used for teaching and research as well as for public visits. The garden was created in the mid-18th century by a Knight of St John, and it later passed to the university. It is a small, sheltered space with paths, terraces and stone walls, and it contains a variety of Mediterranean and exotic plants. Visitors can expect cacti and succulents, palms, flowering shrubs and trees, with a collection that reflects the garden's botanical role. The garden's position within the bastions gives it a protected microclimate, and the stone architecture, with arches and walls, adds to the character. A visit takes 45 minutes to an hour. Spring is the best season for flowering, though the evergreen structure makes it pleasant in other months. Opening days and hours change, and the admission price is not confirmed, so visitors should check with the University of Malta at um.edu.mt before travelling. The garden is about 15 minutes on foot from Valletta City Gate, and many bus routes stop on Triq Sant' Anna and The Mall in Floriana. Crowds are light, since the garden is not on most tour itineraries; it makes a quiet break from the busier sights of Valletta and Floriana. Visitors can combine it with a walk around Floriana's gardens and the nearby Granaries, and the shade of the trees is welcome in summer.