Discover Malta’s hidden gardens

Despite its initial impression as a rocky, dry archipelago, Malta offers delightful green havens for those seeking refreshing tranquility. These gardens and parks are ideal for leisurely strolls, picnics, and relaxing afternoons, especially in spring. Here’s a selection of botanical gardens and green spaces that showcase Malta’s lush, natural beauty.

Floriana Gardens on the Edge of Valletta

Argotti Botanic Gardens

An early 18th-century botanical garden featuring collections of Mediterranean plants.
Address: Triq Vincenzo Bugeja, Floriana
University of Malta – Argotti Botanic Gardens

St. Philip’s Gardens

Located next to Argotti Botanic Gardens, this is one of the oldest gardens in the country, boasting magnificent century-old trees, a historic fountain, and views of the bastions.
Address: Notre Dame Ditch, Floriana

Msida Bastion Gardens

Rated by National Geographic as one of the ten most beautiful ancient cemeteries in Europe. Now a botanical garden, its history is linked to the French occupation in 1798. The garden offers an incredible panoramic view of Manoel Island.
Address: VGW3+828, Triq Vincenzo Dimech, Floriana

Sa Maison Gardens

Full of colorful vegetation, this spot is perfect for relaxing and admiring nature in tranquillity, as few people visit due to the steep descent required to reach it.
Address: Triq Sa Maison, Floriana
Floriana Local Council – Sa Maison Gardens

How to get there from Senglea

Take the ferry to Valletta, then walk about 10 minutes from Upper Barrakka Gardens to reach Floriana Gardens.

In the Centre of the Island: Attard and Naxxar Gardens

San Anton Gardens

A public garden that is part of the official residence of the President of Malta. It offers a pleasant stroll under mature trees along pretty paths, with sculptures, fountains, and a variety of flowers from around the world.
Address: Triq Birbal, Hal Balzan

Villa Bologna Gardens

A grand Baroque palace set in over a hectare of historic landscaped gardens. Features include a Baroque garden, a vast lawn with a pond, an organic vegetable garden, and large Baroque fountains from the 1700s.
Address: St Anthony Street, Attard – Villa Bologna

Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar

This classically Baroque garden boasts Italian symmetry and year-round color. It features many exotic species, including jacaranda, oleander, and over 65 species of hibiscus. There is also a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal.
Address: 29 Victory Square, Naxxar – Palazzo Parisio

How to get there from Senglea

Take the ferry to Valletta and get off at the bus station. For San Anton and Villa Bologna, take buses 51, 52, 53, or 54. For Naxxar, take buses 202, 31, 43, 45, or 49.
Alternatively, from Senglea to Naxxar: take bus 213, change at Spart1 and 2 for bus 31.

In the South of the Island: Buskett Gardens in Dingli

Situated between the Roman town of Rabat and the cliffs of Dingli, the Buskett Gardens are the only natural wooded area in Malta. Dominated by Verdala Castle, this area is known for its orange trees and remains largely natural. It features ancient paths, walls, and irrigation channels, and is identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA).

Address: Valley of Wied Il Luq, Rabat

How to get there from Senglea

Take the ferry to Valletta, and get off at the bus station. Take bus 51, change at Rabat Saqqajja for bus 161 to Kbira, get off at Dingli station, then take bus 181 to Buskett.

On the Grand Port of Valletta

Two terrace gardens offer breathtaking views over Valletta’s Grand Harbour:

Upper Barrakka Gardens

Located on the highest bastion of Valletta, overlooking the largest natural harbor in the Mediterranean with views of the Three Cities. Every lunchtime, the saluting battery fires below.

Upper Barakka Gardens

Gardjola Gardens

At the tip of the Senglea peninsula, opposite Valletta, this garden offers panoramic views of Fort St. Angelo de Birgu, Valletta, the quays of La Marsa, the entrance to the Grand Harbour, and Fort St. Angelo. The famous watchtower, Gardjola, features symbols of vigilance carved into the stone.

Gardjola Gardens

Botanica Malta is a painting (ink on paper mounted on canvas) by artist Gildas Le Reste, produced for the Mdina International Biennial in 2011. It is now on display at The Snop House, Senglea, in our room Azideber.