Upper Barrakka Gardens sit in pride of place at Valletta’s highest point. As such, the views over the harbour, the rest of Valletta, Fort Lascaris and even large parts of the whole island are superb. Much of the edges of the garden are dedicated to walkways which allow you to enjoy the views, whilst the interior has sparse planting, benches, a cafe and garden features. These gardens are very old, having been established in the 1560s to offer an escape to the Knights of St John, who controlled Malta for centuries. These gardens go hand in hand with the Lower Barrakka Gardens a short stroll down the hill. We found both gardens to be a great place to hang out and enjoy the views.
The gardens offer a great view of the ‘Saluting Battery’ below. This area, complete with functioning cannon, is still used today to fire a military salute every day at midday. The crowds start to gather along the railings 15 or 20 minutes before the firing, so if you want a good view, be there in plenty of time. You can pay to visit the Saluting Battery itself for an even better view and to learn about the battery’s history and weapons.
Upper Barrakka Gardens are dominated by two sets of huge arches. There are many gardens around the world where arches like this have been added to create a focal point, but these arches are original and date back to 1661 when an Italian knight constructed them, complete with a roof which was later removed.
In 1800, after the French occupation of Valletta, the gardens were opened to the public and have thrived ever since. Visitors and residents alike come to enjoy the views, get some shade and sit for a while on the many benches. There is also a lift from the gardens down to the harbour which costs 1 Euro for a 2 way trip (2024 prices). This modern lift replaced an older one which was closed and dismantled in the 1980s.
Upper Barrakka Gardens open at 7am each day and close at 10pm. There’s a different feel in the gardens at night and we’d recommend a visit to look at the lights of Valletta.
UPPER BARRAKKA GARDENS LOCATION & MAP
Address: Upper Barrakka, 292 Triq Sant’ Orsla, Il-Belt Valletta, Malta
Upper Barrakka Gardens are accessed by a large gate near the Auberge building. There are usually horse carriages parked outside.
MORE ON UPPER BARRAKKA GARDENS
Upper Barrakka Gardens – Wikipedia
Hotels in Valletta – Booking.com
More Things To Do In Valletta – GetYourGuide