Lower Barrakka Gardens

The Lower Barrakka Gardens lie on the bastions of Valletta, Malta, overlooking the entrance of the Grand Harbour and are quieter than their better-known neighbour, the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Laid out in the early 19th century on a bastion terrace, the garden is dominated by a small Doric temple built in 1810 as a memorial to Sir Alexander Ball, the British civil commissioner who led Malta after the French. Its simple columns frame the harbour and make a favourite photograph subject. Shaded paths, lawns, flowerbeds and stone benches give the garden a calm atmosphere, while other memorials and plaques recall figures from Maltese and British history. From the terrace walls visitors look east across the harbour mouth to Fort Ricasoli and Fort St Angelo, and watch ships heading in and out of the port. The garden is free to enter and open daily, and a visit typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. It is a useful stop on a walk along the bastion streets from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and the Siege Bell Memorial and Fort St Elmo are a short stroll further along. The gardens are at their best at sunset, when the limestone fortifications on the opposite shore turn golden, and cooler mornings are good for those avoiding the summer heat. Because it sees far fewer tour groups than the Upper Barrakka, the gardens are rarely crowded, though cruise-ship days bring a few more walkers. Benches in the shade make it a good rest stop, and the surrounding streets have cafes and small shops. Visitors should bring water in summer, as the terrace has little cover outside the planted areas.