Sight guide · Valletta · Malta
Visiting Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell
A small, shaded garden on the eastern bastions, centred on a neoclassical monument to Sir Alexander Ball, with views over the harbour mouth and breakwater.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Simon Slator, Public domain
Quick answer
Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell is a garden in Lower Valletta, Valletta. Allow 30 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Garden
- Area
- Lower Valletta
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, views, couples and history
- Best months
- May–July
About Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell
A small, shaded garden on the eastern bastions, centred on a neoclassical monument to Sir Alexander Ball, with views over the harbour mouth and breakwater. Just below stands the Siege Bell War Memorial, commemorating the more than 7,000 people who died in the WWII siege of Malta.
Tip: Come in the late afternoon, when it is much quieter than the Upper Barrakka and the light falls on the Three Cities.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 30 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Lower Valletta, quieter residential streets, Strait Street bars and Fort St Elmo.
Best time to visit Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell
Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 2 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- June: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, busy crowds.
- July: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 0 rainy days, very busy crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-May the sun sets at about 20:00 local time (calculated for Valletta).
When to visit Valletta has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Valletta itinerary visits Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell on day 2, together with Fort St Elmo and National War Museum, Casa Rocca Piccola and Strait Street.
- No. 5 of the 16 sights in our Valletta things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Valletta.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Valletta.
Near Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell
Also in Lower Valletta, so you can walk between them:
- Fort St Elmo and National War Museum — 2 hours, mid-priced
- Casa Rocca Piccola — 1 hour, mid-priced
- Manoel Theatre — 45 minutes, low cost
If you like Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell
- Upper Barrakka Gardens and Saluting Battery — Upper Valletta, 45 minutes
- City Gate, Parliament House and Pjazza Teatru Rjal — Upper Valletta, 30 minutes
- Birgu and Fort St Angelo — The Three Cities, Half a day
Staying near Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell
Stay in Lower Valletta ($$$) to walk here: quieter residential streets, Strait Street bars and Fort St Elmo. All areas to stay in Valletta.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell?
Plan 30 minutes. With Fort St Elmo and National War Museum nearby, it fits a half-day in Lower Valletta.
+Is Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell?
May–July for the most comfortable weather. Come in the late afternoon, when it is much quieter than the Upper Barrakka and the light falls on the Three Cities.
+Do I need to book Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.