Best 9 World War II attractions in Malta (2025)

Hidden deep beneath the bastions of Valletta, the Lascaris War Rooms form one of the most fascinating underground military complexes in Europe. Carved directly into the limestone beneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens, this secret labyrinth of tunnels and chambers served as the Allied War Headquarters during World War II. It was from here that the defense of Malta was coordinated, with command rooms dedicated to naval operations, anti-aircraft guns, and air force movements. Every decision — from convoy escorts to counterattacks on Axis forces — was made within these very walls.

The complex became especially significant in 1943, when it served as the Allied command center for Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Admiral Andrew Cunningham, and General Bernard Montgomery all operated from the War Rooms, directing one of the most decisive campaigns of the war. Visitors today can explore these restored operations centers, including the Combined Operations Room, complete with its plotting tables, radar boards, and communications equipment that look as though they were left untouched since 1945.

Today, the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (Malta Heritage Trust) manages the site, having restored it and opened it to the public in 2010. Walking through the narrow corridors feels like stepping back in time — the air still cool, the walls still echoing with the tension of wartime command. The Lascaris War Rooms also feature rare wartime artifacts, including early Typex encryption machines (Britain’s answer to the German Enigma) and documents that reveal the precision and secrecy that defined Malta’s defense. It’s an unmissable stop for military history enthusiasts.

Beneath the bastions of the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the War HQ Tunnels offer one of Malta’s most atmospheric wartime experiences. Carved deep into the limestone, this network of passageways and chambers served as the underground nerve center of Malta’s defense during the Second World War. The tunnels were first excavated during the Knights of St. John period, but were vastly expanded by the British in 1940 to coordinate operations across land, sea, and air.

Walking through the tunnels today feels like stepping into a time capsule. Each room has been meticulously restored — from the RAF Fighter Command Operations Room and Navy Plotting Room to the Anti-Aircraft Control Centre. Original wall maps, plotting tables, telephones, and logbooks evoke the intense atmosphere of round-the-clock coordination. It was here that Allied commanders monitored radar readings, issued air raid warnings, and orchestrated convoy escorts to keep Malta supplied through the siege.

The War HQ Tunnels now operate as a museum, offering guided tours that vividly recreate the drama of Malta’s wartime command. Visitors can even trace how these tunnels connected to deeper chambers — including the Lascaris War Rooms below — and how vital information was transmitted between them in real time. With its dim lighting, echoing footsteps, and relics of command life, the site captures the extraordinary resilience and ingenuity that kept Malta fighting against impossible odds.

Standing proudly at the entrance to Valletta’s Grand Harbour, Fort St. Elmo is one of Malta’s most enduring military landmarks. Originally built by the Knights of St. John in 1552, it played a heroic role during the Great Siege of 1565 — the first major Ottoman attack on the island. Centuries later, this star-shaped fortress once again became a bastion of defense during World War II, protecting Valletta and its harbors from relentless Axis bombing raids. The British fortified the structure further, turning it into a key observation and artillery base.

Today, the fort houses the National War Museum, which traces the island’s long military history from the Bronze Age through the Knights’ period, the British era, and finally the two World Wars. Among its most treasured exhibits is the Gloster Sea Gladiator “Faith”, one of three biplanes that made up Malta’s entire air defense early in the war — the other two, “Hope” and “Charity,” did not survive. The museum also displays President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s jeep, used during his 1945 visit with Winston Churchill, and the original George Cross awarded to the Maltese people for their extraordinary bravery.

Visitors can explore the restored bastions, ramparts, and gun positions overlooking the harbor, offering stunning panoramic views of Valletta and its maritime defenses. Fort St. Elmo’s modern exhibits combine interactive displays, personal stories, and original footage, making the experience deeply engaging for all ages. Whether you’re drawn by history, architecture, or the breathtaking harbor views, Fort St. Elmo remains a cornerstone of Malta’s heritage — a place where the island’s indomitable spirit truly comes to life.

Across the Grand Harbour in Birgu, the Malta at War Museum provides an equally compelling perspective on the island’s wartime story. Located within the Couvre Porte fortifications, the museum occupies an 18th-century bastion that played an active defensive role during World War II. Its exhibitions tell the story of the everyday Maltese experience during the relentless bombings — from survival in underground shelters to the courage of those who manned anti-aircraft guns and repaired the harbor docks after each raid.

The museum features original wartime propaganda posters, personal diaries, uniforms, and weaponry, bringing to life the human side of Malta’s resistance. One of its most fascinating features is the underground air-raid shelter complex, carved nearly 30 feet below ground. Visitors can walk through the narrow tunnels that once protected hundreds of civilians from bombardment. These shelters, equipped with kitchens, infirmaries, and sleeping alcoves, provide a sobering glimpse into the endurance and resilience of Maltese families who lived through two years of constant air raids.

Managed by the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, the Malta at War Museum also offers guided tours that connect the site to nearby fortifications, such as Fort St. Angelo and St. John Bastion. Together, they form part of Malta’s World War II Heritage Trail, offering visitors a deeper understanding of how this small island nation withstood some of the fiercest attacks in modern history. For history lovers, it’s one of the most immersive experiences in the Mediterranean.

A few miles east of Valletta, Fort Rinella stands as a monument to 19th-century British engineering — and to military ambition on a monumental scale. Built in 1878, this coastal battery was designed to house one of the largest guns ever constructed: the Armstrong 100-ton gun, capable of firing a 2,000-pound shell up to six kilometers. Although never used in combat, its sheer size and mechanical sophistication made it a marvel of Victorian technology and a deterrent against Italian naval expansion in the Mediterranean.

The fort’s history bridges Malta’s pre–World War era and its later use during the global conflicts of the 20th century. During World War II, the site was repurposed for observation and storage, though the massive gun — by then obsolete — remained a silent witness to the island’s evolving military role. The British built similar defenses in Gibraltar, underscoring Malta’s shared importance within the empire’s network of naval strongholds.

Today, Fort Rinella is a living museum operated by the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, where re-enactors bring history to life with demonstrations of Victorian drill, gun-loading techniques, and historical weaponry. The massive Armstrong gun, fully restored, is the highlight of the visit — its scale alone is awe-inspiring. Exhibitions also explain the science of 19th-century fortifications, making it a fascinating stop for both military enthusiasts and families seeking an interactive historical experience.

Dominating the tip of Birgu’s peninsula, Fort St. Angelo stands as one of Malta’s most iconic strongholds. Originally a medieval castle known as Castrum Maris, it evolved under the Knights of St. John into a symbol of resistance during the Great Siege of 1565 — and centuries later, into a key British naval base during World War II. From its bastions, Allied ships and aircraft coordinated operations against Axis convoys across the Mediterranean. The fort was heavily bombed, yet remained operational, serving as the headquarters for the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet under the name HMS St. Angelo.

Restored in recent years, the fort now welcomes visitors eager to explore its layered history. Inside, exhibitions trace its transformation from the seat of the Knights’ Grand Master to its 20th-century wartime role. Visitors can wander through stone tunnels, artillery platforms, and officers’ quarters, while panoramic terraces provide sweeping views of the Grand Harbour, Valletta, and the Three Cities. Its strategic position — guarding the entrance to the harbor — illustrates exactly why Malta was considered the “unsinkable aircraft carrier” of the Mediterranean.

Walking through Fort St. Angelo today, it’s easy to feel the echoes of centuries of conflict and courage. The fort’s walls bear the scars of cannon fire and bombing raids, yet its enduring presence reflects Malta’s resilience. Whether exploring alone or on a guided tour, visitors will come away with a deeper appreciation of the island’s central role in shaping the outcome of both medieval and modern wars.

Overlooking the Grand Harbour from the bastions near the Lower Barrakka Gardens, the Siege Bell War Memorial stands as a powerful symbol of Malta’s wartime resilience. Inaugurated in 1992, it commemorates the 50th anniversary of the island’s awarding of the George Cross — Britain’s highest civilian honor — for the bravery shown by the Maltese people during the relentless Axis bombardments of 1940–1942.

The memorial’s design is both austere and moving. A bronze bell weighing over 13 tons hangs beneath a limestone belfry, surrounded by sweeping harbor views that contrast the serenity of today with the chaos of war decades ago. At precisely noon each day, the bell tolls across Valletta in memory of the 7,000 Maltese and Allied servicemen and civilians who lost their lives. Nearby plaques and sculptures further honor the sacrifices of those who defended the island during its darkest hours.

Visiting the Siege Bell is both a historical and emotional experience. Its location — perched above the sea that once bore Allied convoys — serves as a reminder of Malta’s role as a vital lifeline in the Mediterranean war effort. The sound of the bell, echoing across the harbor, resonates deeply with visitors, capturing the spirit of courage and unity that defines Malta’s wartime legacy.

At the heart of Mosta stands the majestic Rotunda of St. Mary, one of the world’s largest domed churches — and the site of one of Malta’s most famous WWII miracles. On April 9, 1942, during an air raid, a 200-kg German bomb pierced the dome and crashed into the nave where 300 worshippers were attending Mass. Incredibly, it failed to explode. The event was hailed as divine intervention, and the bomb — now defused — is displayed in the church museum.

The Rotunda, with its grand neoclassical design and soaring interior, became a symbol of hope amid destruction. Its survival inspired the Maltese people to continue enduring the relentless bombardment that threatened their island. Today, visitors can view not only the bomb but also an exhibition of wartime relics, photographs, and personal accounts that bring this extraordinary story to life.

Standing beneath the vast dome, it’s easy to feel a sense of awe at both the architecture and the miracle that took place here. The Rotunda remains a place of prayer and reflection, blending religious devotion with a deep national pride rooted in Malta’s wartime experience.

Located on the former RAF Ta’ Qali airfield, the Malta Aviation Museum offers an exhilarating glimpse into the island’s aviation heritage and its crucial role in the air battles of World War II. The airfield was one of Malta’s most strategic defense points, frequently bombed by the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica during the Siege of 1940–1942. Despite the devastation, it served as home to Allied fighter squadrons that defended Malta and disrupted Axis supply lines to North Africa.

The museum’s exhibits include beautifully restored aircraft such as a Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX, Hawker Hurricane, and de Havilland Tiger Moth, alongside engines, uniforms, and weapons used during the war. Visitors can also explore a recreated RAF operations room and a collection of personal memorabilia donated by veterans and their families. The museum’s workshops are still active, where enthusiasts continue to restore historic aircraft to full working condition — a living tribute to Malta’s wartime airmen.

Beyond its technical displays, the Aviation Museum captures the human stories behind the machines — tales of courage, loss, and triumph. Standing beside the gleaming aircraft that once patrolled Malta’s skies, it’s impossible not to feel a sense of awe for the pilots who risked everything to keep the island free. With its combination of historical depth and aviation nostalgia, this museum is a must-visit for anyone fascinated by WWII or flight history.