Sight guide · Valletta · Malta
Visiting Birgu and Fort St Angelo
The Knights' first base in Malta is reached by a short ferry or dgħajsa ride across the Grand Harbour.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Birgu and Fort St Angelo is a neighbourhood in The Three Cities, Valletta. Allow half a day; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Neighbourhood
- Area
- The Three Cities
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, views, couples and outdoors
- Best months
- May–July
About Birgu and Fort St Angelo
The Knights' first base in Malta is reached by a short ferry or dgħajsa ride across the Grand Harbour. Fort St Angelo at the tip of Birgu was their headquarters during the Great Siege, and the lanes behind the marina hold the Inquisitor's Palace and the Maritime Museum.
Tip: Take a traditional dgħajsa water taxi one way and the ferry back for two different views of the harbour.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Half a day.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: The Three Cities, birgu, Senglea and Cospicua: the Knights' first home across the Grand Harbour.
Best time to visit Birgu and Fort St Angelo
Birgu and Fort St Angelo 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
Birgu and Fort St Angelo is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen St John's Co-Cathedral and Upper Barrakka Gardens and Saluting Battery.
- No. 13 of the 16 sights in our Valletta things-to-do list.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
- A family favourite in Valletta with kids.
If you like Birgu and Fort St Angelo
- Upper Barrakka Gardens and Saluting Battery — Upper Valletta, 45 minutes
- Fort St Elmo and National War Museum — Lower Valletta, 2 hours
- Lower Barrakka Gardens and Siege Bell — Lower Valletta, 30 minutes
- Manoel Theatre — Lower Valletta, 45 minutes
Staying near Birgu and Fort St Angelo
Stay in The Three Cities ($$) to walk here: birgu, Senglea and Cospicua: the Knights' first home across the Grand Harbour. All areas to stay in Valletta.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Birgu and Fort St Angelo?
Plan half a day.
+Is Birgu and Fort St Angelo free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Birgu and Fort St Angelo?
May–July for the most comfortable weather. Take a traditional dgħajsa water taxi one way and the ferry back for two different views of the harbour.
+Do I need to book Birgu and Fort St Angelo in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Birgu and Fort St Angelo good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Valletta. Malta is easy with children: English is spoken everywhere, distances are short, and forts, boat trips and the noon gun are a hit.