Sight guide · Valletta · Malta
Visiting Grandmaster's Palace
The seat of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John, and later of British governors and the Maltese president, faces St George's Square.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Karelj, Public domain
Quick answer
Grandmaster's Palace is a palace in Upper Valletta, Valletta. Allow 1–1.5 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Palace
- Area
- Upper Valletta
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, rainy day and architecture
- Best months
- November–January
About Grandmaster's Palace
The seat of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John, and later of British governors and the Maltese president, faces St George's Square. Its corridors are lined with painted friezes, armorial ceilings and suits of armour, and the Armoury is one of the largest collections of its kind still in its original building.
Tip: Check Heritage Malta's site for which state rooms are open, as parts of the palace are still used for official functions.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–1.5 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Upper Valletta, city Gate, Republic Street and the cathedral end of the capital.
Best time to visit Grandmaster's Palace
Grandmaster's Palace is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- January: 16°C (61°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, very quiet crowds.
- December: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- November: 21°C (70°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
When to visit Valletta has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Valletta itinerary visits Grandmaster's Palace on day 1, together with St John's Co-Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens and Saluting Battery and Manoel Theatre.
- No. 3 of the 16 sights in our Valletta things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in valletta on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Valletta.
Near Grandmaster's Palace
Also in Upper Valletta, so you can walk between them:
- Upper Barrakka Gardens and Saluting Battery — 45 minutes, free
- St John's Co-Cathedral — 1.5 hours, mid-priced
- Lascaris War Rooms — 1–1.5 hours, mid-priced
If you like Grandmaster's Palace
- Fort St Elmo and National War Museum — Lower Valletta, 2 hours
- Casa Rocca Piccola — Lower Valletta, 1 hour
- Manoel Theatre — Lower Valletta, 45 minutes
- Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum — Paola, 1 hour
Staying near Grandmaster's Palace
Stay in Upper Valletta ($$$$) to walk here: city Gate, Republic Street and the cathedral end of the capital. All areas to stay in Valletta.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Grandmaster's Palace?
Plan 1–1.5 hours. With Upper Barrakka Gardens and Saluting Battery nearby, it fits a half-day in Upper Valletta.
+Is Grandmaster's Palace free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Grandmaster's Palace?
November–January, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Check Heritage Malta's site for which state rooms are open, as parts of the palace are still used for official functions.
+Do I need to book Grandmaster's Palace in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.