35.90° N · 14.51° E · Valletta
A terrace of arches over the Grand Harbour, with the Three Cities opposite. Below, the Order's battery of cannon fires every day at 12:00 and 16:00.
Part of Valletta
It is Valletta's viewpoint: a terrace of arches hung over the Grand Harbour, with Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua right opposite. Arrive at a quarter to twelve and you will see the cannon fire.
Upper Barrakka is a small garden, at the top of the bastion of St Peter and St Paul, next to the Castille building, seat of the prime minister. It was the pleasure garden of the Italian knights of the Order. It has fountains, trees and benches, a gallery of stone arches and, at the end, the balcony over the harbour, with the most photographed view in Malta: the entrance to the Grand Harbour, the forts of St Angelo and Ricasoli, the dockyards and, if you are lucky, a cruise ship coming in. The garden is free and open.
From the garden itself a public lift goes down to sea level, beside the quay from which the boat to the Three Cities leaves.
On the terrace below is the Saluting Battery, the battery of cannon with which the Order and later the British saluted ships and marked the time. It is run by the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, an association of volunteers that has restored the cannon and fires them every day at 12:00 and 16:00. From the garden you see and hear it free; if you want to be down below, beside the uniformed gunners, the ticket to the battery costs €3 for adults and €1 for ages 5 to 15. They recommend arriving about 15 minutes before the shot.
The battery is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 17:30, with last entry at 17:00; it closes on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter, Christmas Eve and Christmas. They do not publish Sunday hours.
From the battery there is also the guided tour of the War H.Q. Tunnel, at 10:00, 13:00 and 14:00, for €17 per person, booked on their website or on the spot.
Upper Barrakka is five minutes' walk from City Gate: enter the city, turn right towards Castille and follow the signs. It is a good start to the day, because the lift to the boat leaves from here, and a good finish at sunset, when the light falls on the Three Cities.
Map
What you have around the starting point.
More to do
Itineraries
Tips
The balcony fills up for the midday cannon; take a place at the railing.
From the garden to the Three Cities quay without stairs.
The battery publishes hours for Monday to Saturday.
Questions
At 12:00 and 16:00, from the Saluting Battery.
From the Upper Barrakka garden, no. Going down to the battery costs €3 for adults and €1 for children aged 5 to 15.
The garden is. The battery publishes hours for Monday to Saturday.
A guided tour of the tunnels under the battery, at 10:00, 13:00 and 14:00, for €17.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/malta/valletta/things-to-do/upper-barrakka-saluting-battery
