Top Things to do in Malta
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What to do and see in Malta, Malta: The Best History Museums
With more than 7,000 years of history and countless megaliths, medieval dungeons and vibrant towns and villages, Malta is one of the most alluring and diverse spots in the Mediterranean. Find beaches with changing colors and explore hidden coves. Visit ancient temples or head to the trendiest nightclubs. Valletta’s sunny streets, rich heritage and breath-taking architecture have earned it the accolade of European Capital of Culture 2018. Malta embraces its past and moves effortlessly with the times.
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1. Bir Mula Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
A private social history museum situated in a mediaeval house. The house is witness to the development of Maltese houses, which from an Arab era farmhouse developed into a 17th century palazzino. The exhibits include various curios from the daily life of past generations and artefacts found on site. The museum holds various indoor, outdoor, cultural and edutainment activities including Ghost Walks of Birgu and/or Bormla.
Reviewed By johannavarley - Kalkara, Malta
Very worthwhile visit to a house which shows how it developed over thousands of years, with a knowledgeable guide in John Vella. Also full of exhibits from many eras. Certainly worth more than one visit and needs to be more widely advertised.
2. Reliving The Sacra Infermeria
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
An innovative museum concept based on Augmented Reality, housed in one of the most iconic buildings in Valletta - The Sacra Infermeria. A visit to the museum will transport you back in time, whereby you can interact with the main characters and be part of history. A fun and educational experience for everyone.
3. Casa Rocca Piccola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,508 reviews
If you fancy seeing something a little bit different when visiting Valletta go to Casa Rocca Piccola. Often described as a ‘living museum’ it is the only privately owned palace open to the public in the city. Built over 400 years ago for a Knight of Malta, Don Pietro La Rocca it is now the ancestral home of a Maltese Noble family. On your tour the guides will point out interesting things to see such as an 18th Century golden Sedan Chair. There are literally hundreds of magnificent objects to see including modern paintings interspersed with the ancestral portraits of the Marquises de Piro and the Barons of Budach. You will also see a network of tunnels cut out from the rock under Casa Rocca Piccola which were used as Bomb Shelters in World War 2. Over 100 people sheltered here from the Nazi bombs that poured on Valletta. To finish your tour in the cellars of the house there is a delightful Sicilian restaurant called La Giara.
Reviewed By sharonhW264WM - Las Vegas, United States
This magnificent 16th-century palace of a noble Maltese family is the only privately-owned palazzo open to the public and definitely a “must see.” Owned by the Marquis de Piro, the family lives above the two floors that are open to the public, and they use those floors when tours are not going on. Greeted by a large blue and yellow macaw, we started the tour in the enclosed courtyard/garden, enjoying the fountain and the lovely garden. Upstairs we toured the main floor--sitting rooms, dining rooms (one winter/one summer), bedrooms, a study, and a small chapel. We also toured the basement. Originally a well for the house, it was converted to bomb shelter rooms during WWII—one for the family and two others for the local citizens. (Malta was heavily bombed during WWII since it served as Eisenhower’s headquarters for the invasion of Sicily and Italy.) The furnishings and artwork were magnificent, but unlike many palaces that we have visited which seem cold and sterile, this one gave us a really cozy, lived-in feeling. The tour was wonderful. Not only did we get a feel for the house and the family, but also for the place this house held in the history of Malta.
4. Malta Classic Car Collection Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,761 reviews
The Classic Car Collection was the brainchild of obsessive petrol-head Mr. Carol Galea, an avid and self-confessed car enthusiast. He first began customizing and building his own cars for local hill climbing races but his hobby evolved into a full-blown passion for classic cars. This is his personal tribute to the automobile industry – or as he puts it – it’s a ‘living and growing collection that spans more than 50 years of motor manufacturing’ The museum has approximately 100 Vehicles on display ranging from a Jaguars C-Type & E-Type, Alfa Romeos, Fiats, MGs, Mercedes, Chevrolette, Ferrari, Bentley etc. They have all been carefully restored and lovingly preserved. In 2018 the latest very interesting addition was the 'Live Workshop' where one can see real classic cars being restored. There are also a 2 Cinemas and a Motoring Library on site that one can explore.
Reviewed By jpdk - Vejle, Denmark
This Car Museum you will find in Qawra at St. Pauls Bay in Malta. A very nice collection of old cars in perfect condition, more cars inside as you can imagne standing outside the museum. There is rare cars, normal cars old and newer cars, the restoration area is inside the museum giving you a closer look to the work going on with the cars, not only cars here, but lots og juke-boxes, arcade games, pinball machines, model cars and more
5. Saluting Battery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,670 reviews
The Saluting Battery is one of Malta's most vibrant visitor attractions where history is brought to life daily! Located high along Valletta's eastern historic ramparts it enjoys unrivalled spectacular views of the Grand Harbour and its surrounding fortified towns. It is also perhaps the oldest saluting battery still in operation anywhere in the world. Here one can see a fully restored gun powder magazine, an artillery side-arm store, a handsome collection of original muzzle-loading artillery , ammunition and equipment and get a close-look at the saluting guns. The battery is equipped with audio-guides but guided torus in English are also available three times a day at 11.00, 12.30 And 15.00Hrs.
Reviewed By jamesmif
At noon of everyday, soldiers load and fire the cannons as a commemoration of the 1565 victory on the Ottoman empire and also that of the Second World War in which Malta was heavily involved.
6. Fortifications Interpretation Centre - Fortifications Interpretation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 288 reviews
Reviewed By 537gilk
I passed this museum a number of times with my kids , but didn't enter . There was NO WAY my kids were going to watch Dad read about forts for 2 hours . Soo... I waited till I was Solo in Malta. Loved it , it is a real learning experience , IF you appreciate the science of forts from B.C. to the 20th Cent . They have a number of miniature wood models of many forts in Malta and explanations . The only question is , do you do this before or after you've been to some forts ? (I went after visiting Fort St. Elmo in Valletta , The Citadel on Gozo, The Saint Mary's watchtower on Comino and Fort Tigne in Sliema). My suggestion ? See the forts first , then compare what you learned to the models in the exhibit . A definite learning experience . You will come out smarter then when you went in and all for a few € !
7. Gunpowder Magazine, Silos, WWII shelters & Battery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By flaneur40 - New York City, United States
Highly recommended interior space to explore in the Citadel which has the rare benefit of being free. It should the impressive silos used to store water and grain to help villagers fed during attacks. There are also WWII shelters in there. You'll learn if you visit Valletta that Malta played a key role in the resistance against the Axis forces in WWII.
8. Oratory of St. Joseph
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By surx - Sliema, Malta
Lovely varied display holding the single most unique piece in any museum! De Vallette’s actual sword ...
9. Kelinu Grima Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
A unique and intimate collection of maritime artifacts from all over the world. Open Tuesday,Thursday, Saturday 1000hrs to 1400hrs
10. Great Siege of Malta and the Knights of St. John
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By Rcdown78 - Hobe Sound, United States
The harbor of Malta, its forts, its history and the entire story of the Knights and the Great Siege...and the extraordinary history of the Knights and the Maltese in fighting off the invading Ottomans....can all come alive here for the interested traveler. This is one of those spots on earth the history of which is still relevant today, and can still speak to us today. Get a good guide (we were delighted w Victoria Cortis) and spend a day or preferably two covering the sacred grounds of this heroic battle.
