Lower Barrakka Gardens
Lower Barrakka Gardens
4.5
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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  • PThomas1985
    Stourbridge, United Kingdom381 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Relaxing spot with great views
    I wandered over to the Lower Barrakka Gardens as it was getting dark on my first evening in Valletta. The gardens were lit, and there were a few people wandering around. A lovely spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city and, despite what others say, better, in my opinion, than the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Lovely views too! As others have said, theres a small cafe bar there, but it has no long closed when I'd arrived (just after 6:00pm).
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written February 28, 2024
  • mel7155
    Singapore, Singapore1,344 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice and scenic park to visit to see the battery.
    Don’t let the name deceive you- it is the highest point of the city with a great view of the harbour and the 3 cities across the harbour . You also have a great view of the Saluting battery and if you are there around noon and 4pm on Mondays to Saturdays, stay around for the canon firing . They will load 2 cannons and fire 1 (the second cannon is a stand by if the first cannon fails to fire). Also, they have a nice cafeteria where you can sip coffee, soft drink or alcohol at a very decent price and view the surrounding garden and atmosphere . Certainly one of the highlights of visiting this city ,
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written March 28, 2024
  • WeeTravellingScots
    Perth, United Kingdom112 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A lovely way to spend an hour or so relaxing in the shade
    This was a lovely spot to while away an hour or so after the trek up there on foot. There are multiple ways to arrive at this location but I think we chose the harder route! Once at the gates you can wander through the gardens and fountains to the balcony area that looks out onto Vallettas harbours. There are a few stalls at the entrance and a cafe in the top right hand corner for refreshments and/or some lunch or a snack. We didn’t have anything but it looked good. The views are incredible and you can see for miles, so is well worth the trip however you get there.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written June 9, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,494 reviews
Excellent
727
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624
Average
136
Poor
6
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1

stevebintley
Bedford, UK8,750 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021
A great little garden and a really relaxing place to pass some time. The statues and monuments are impressive and the flowers and plants are really well kept. Plenty of spots to sit and great views over the harbour mean you really should pass through when in the city.
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WeeTravellingScots
Perth, UK112 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Family
This was a lovely spot to while away an hour or so after the trek up there on foot. There are multiple ways to arrive at this location but I think we chose the harder route! Once at the gates you can wander through the gardens and fountains to the balcony area that looks out onto Vallettas harbours. There are a few stalls at the entrance and a cafe in the top right hand corner for refreshments and/or some lunch or a snack. We didn’t have anything but it looked good. The views are incredible and you can see for miles, so is well worth the trip however you get there.
Written June 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian T
London, UK8,047 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
There are two picturesque gardens in Valletta, and are often regarded as twins, because of their names: The Upper Barrakka Gardens, and the Lower Barrakka Gardens. The Upper Barrakka Gardens are the more visited, because of their location close to Auberge de Castile and the Malta Stock Exchange in the heart of Valletta, because of the ceremony of the firing of the cannons which takes place there daily, and because of its easy access to the very convenient Barrakka Lift.

I loved the Lower Barrakka Gardens for a number of reasons: it’s much less crowded, and the views its terraces afford are, in my opinion, much better, and considerably more wide-reaching.

The Lower Barrakka Gardens are perched atop the St. Chirstopher’s Bastion, on the same side of Valletta as the Upper Barrakka Gardens but further north, towards Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum. These gardens were created in the 1550, though they have been modified considerably over the centuries.

It’s a nicely decorated garden with pathways and greenery, a fountain, lots of shade trees and plenty of seating for you to relax and take in the fabulous views. The gardens contain the Monument to Sir Alexander Ball, which is a prominent feature in the form of a neoclassical temple located in the centre of the garden. Alexander Ball was the first British Governor of Malta. There’s also a rather lovely sculpture of Enea. The terrace area features various commemorative plaques dedicated to, amongst others, the Hungarian revolution of 1956, the Prague spring, Giuseppe Garibaldi and the 50th anniversary of the European Union.

But it is the views which make the garden absolutely worth a visit. The northern end of the garden has an arched terrace, from which you will have sweeping views over the breakwater and the entrance to the Grand Harbour, St Elmo’s Fort, Fort Ricasol, and the monument in remembrance of the Great Siege in Malta, including the beautiful Memorial Siege Bell which you can also visit. From the southern edge of the gardens you’ll have spectacular views across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities of Malta - Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, known as the you’ll clearly make out the likes of Bighi, and Fort St Angelo in Vittoriosa. It’s a particularly beautiful view in the soft early evening light.

It’s a bit of a hilly walk down then up to the Lower Barrakka Gardens from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, but you should be able to do it in about 20 minutes. Just head down St. Ursula’s Street and then turn towards your right about half way down the hill. You should spot the gardens easily at this point.

It’s a beautiful spot to visit, and in my opinion the nice of the twin gardens.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Terry M
Hamilton, Canada4,897 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
These gardens likely are much less visited due to their location. It makes them a rather quiet place. Came across it after visiting the WWI Siege Bell. It is worth the effort, offering a slightly different perspective on the Grand Harbour as well.
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PThomas1985
Stourbridge, UK381 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
I wandered over to the Lower Barrakka Gardens as it was getting dark on my first evening in Valletta. The gardens were lit, and there were a few people wandering around. A lovely spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city and, despite what others say, better, in my opinion, than the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Lovely views too! As others have said, theres a small cafe bar there, but it has no long closed when I'd arrived (just after 6:00pm).
Written February 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nimmy37
Chester, UK873 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
At the far end of Valetta the lower gardens give you great views and lots of seating for a rest in the shade. Fountain and statues make a great place just to relax and enjoy the scenery. Cannons can be seen from here if you want a different view to the upper gardens and great to just relax and watch the world go by.
Written July 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

maroulathe
Thessaloniki, Greece93 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Family
It’s one of the best places to enjoy the perfect Valletta view of the Grand Harbour, especially admiring it through the Arches placed at the end. The garden itself is beautiful and well taken care of. The neoclassical monument in the middle of it is what is also worth the visit!
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lynden M
Bradford-on-Avon, UK81 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
We walked up to here one blustery evening to see a cruise ship come in. Small, but nice to just wander. Lots of seating to stay and take in the view of the Three Cities - provided view not blocked by incoming cruise ship!!
Written April 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Turner S
1,502 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Solo
It is a small area but beautifully designed and maintained. Several places to sit in the shade and look out at the sea. Space for quiet time. It is near the museum at St Elmo so stop here before or after.
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helena L
Malmesbury, UK882 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Family
A lovely peaceful spot where you can find shade and public toilets and just sit in the benches and relax for a while.

Well worth a visit. Can go on to the war bell and to the elevator. A fun way to explore the Harbour front area.
Written July 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Lower Barrakka Gardens - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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