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Lower Barrakka Gardens

Valletta And The Grand Harbour, Fort St. Angelo, Sir F. Alexander John Ball, Lord Nelson

The Lower Barrakka gardens is situated at the lower end of Valletta on the bastions overlooking the entrance to the Grand Harbour. Located strategically so, from there one can see a superb view from the very mouth of the harbour.

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The garden overlooks the break water, Fort Ricasoli, Rinella, Kalkara, the original Bighi Hospital now is the head office of Heritage Malta, Fort St. Angelo and the creeks and Senglea.

Located in a position to observe the Grand Harbour from another angle, the Lower Barrakka gardens is the place where you can sit down and relax looking at the splendid panoramic view. It is a nicely decorated garden with pathways and greenery.

The monument of Vice-Admiral Sir F Alexander John Ball.

Lower Barrakka Gardens Price And Opening Hours

Opening hours: 07:00 to 22:00
Entrance: Free to the public

Sitting down on a bench in the shade of a tree, watching the ships entering or leaving port especially the cruise liners like the Costa Concordia, Costa Delizionsa or MV Grand Celebration.

A snack bar is located just outside the Lower Barakka gardens. Adjacent there are many important buildings which form part of the Valletta attraction. Not to be missed is the Malta Experience viewed daily in the adjacent building which used to house the Knights of Malta hospital better known as ‘Sacra Infermeria’.

The siege bells monument is located just across and a must to visit and also a perfect location for photos.

Where is Lower Barrakka Gardens

Lower Barrakka Gardens is located at the bottom of Valletta. It is situated near the Siege Bell. It is around 750 meters away from Upper Barrakka.

how to get here

by car

Getting to Valletta is fairly easy. You find signs all around the island to Valletta. It is not easy to park in Valletta especially near Lower Barrakka. We recommend you park at MCP car park, in Floriana or around Valletta streets. Be aware that you can only park in white boxes.

By Bus

Valletta is home to the biggest bus terminus in Malta. Most of the islands routes depart from here. To get to the garden, you have around 20 minutes on foot.

Two people sitting down on a bench at Lower Barrakka gardens.

Tourist Attractions and Accommodation

attractions around the area

Opposite the garden is the Siege Bell War Memorial and the War Siege Memorial. Here you can witness incredible views over the Grand harbour.
Further down there is Fort St. Elmo, recently restored and houses the National War Museum. We also suggest a visit to the fort and museum.
Also along the bastions there is the Sacra Infermeria spreading all along the way. This was the hospital of the Knights of Malta which at the time was one of the best hospital in Eurpoe. Today it houses The Malta Experience audio visual show which we recommend a visit.
The Upper Barakka Gardens.
Casa Rocca Piccola

The Siege Bell War Memorial view and the break water in the background.

other things to do in valletta

The Valletta Cruise Port also known as the The Waterfront

Walk along the continuity of the Valletta bastions along the seashore.
On going out of the garden you can walk around in the many surround street of Valletta observing the different architectures.
Walking further in along the bastion wall you can see all the Grand Harbour spread all in front of you. A fascinating view where you can sit down on the many benches and relax observing the view which spread further onto the south of the island.

The Grand Harbour inlet spreading in up to the village of Marsa

The break water spreading across the harbour entrance

Fort Ricasoli beside the break water built by the Knights of St. John as a fortification opposit the Valletta bastions to protect the harbour from the other side of the inlet.

Opposite on the other side of the harbour on top of the hill there is the head office of Heritage Malta which was previously Bighi hospital used by the British forces when they were stationed in Malta to accommodate injured troops during any conflict in the Mediterranean.

It is worth having a detailed book in order to be able to ready about the many interesting features of Valletta.

Accommodation

Brief history of an important monument within the garden

This garden hosts the monument of Vice Admiral Sir F Alexander John Ball delegated by Lord Nelson to command the blockading squadron and subsequently, chosen by the Maltese Insurgents to lead them against the French in 1798.

It was erected by public subscription in 1810 to honour the ﬁrst British Commissioner and later Governor of Malta who had directed the blockade of Valletta in 1798-1800 by the allied British and Maltese forces which led to the Maltese islands being annexed to Great Britain under King George III. His monument is a cenotaph in the style of a Doric Temple.

Lower Barrakka gardens is an enjoyable location within Valletta.