Sight guide · Valletta · Malta
Visiting National Museum of Archaeology
Housed in the Knights' Auberge de Provence on Republic Street, the museum displays finds from Malta's Neolithic temples, including the Sleeping Lady from the Hypogeum and the so-called Venus of Malta.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
National Museum of Archaeology is a museum in Upper Valletta, Valletta. Allow 1 hour; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Upper Valletta
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, rainy day and art
- Best months
- November–January
About National Museum of Archaeology
Housed in the Knights' Auberge de Provence on Republic Street, the museum displays finds from Malta's Neolithic temples, including the Sleeping Lady from the Hypogeum and the so-called Venus of Malta. It is the best introduction before visiting Ħaġar Qim, Tarxien or the Hypogeum.
Tip: Visit before your temple day trips; the figurines make far more sense once you have seen the sites.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Low cost.
- 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 National Museum of Archaeology
National Museum of Archaeology 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 National Museum of Archaeology on day 3, together with Lascaris War Rooms, MUŻA – National Community Art Museum and Strait Street.
- No. 7 of the 16 sights in our Valletta things-to-do list.
- Day 3 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 National Museum of Archaeology
Also in Upper Valletta, so you can walk between them:
- Lascaris War Rooms — 1–1.5 hours, mid-priced
- MUŻA – National Community Art Museum — 1–1.5 hours, low cost
- Grandmaster's Palace — 1–1.5 hours, mid-priced
If you like National Museum of Archaeology
- Fort St Elmo and National War Museum — Lower Valletta, 2 hours
- Casa Rocca Piccola — Lower Valletta, 1 hour
- Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum — Paola, 1 hour
Staying near National Museum of Archaeology
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 National Museum of Archaeology?
Plan 1 hour. With Lascaris War Rooms nearby, it fits a half-day in Upper Valletta.
+Is National Museum of Archaeology free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit National Museum of Archaeology?
November–January, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Visit before your temple day trips; the figurines make far more sense once you have seen the sites.
+Do I need to book National Museum of Archaeology in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.