Lower Barrakka Gardens

Gardens in Valletta

The Lower Barrakka Gardens are one of Valletta's most enchanting outdoor spaces — a serene public garden perched along the Grand Harbour waterfront. Offering sweeping views of the harbor, Fort Ricasoli, and the Three Cities beyond, this garden combines historical charm with peaceful greenery. Often quieter than its counterpart, the Upper Barrakka Gardens, it's a beautiful place to unwind and take in the panoramic seascape that has defined Malta's history for centuries. Flowerbeds, shaded benches, and stone archways create a tranquil atmosphere that makes it an ideal stop for visitors exploring Valletta's lower bastions.

The garden's most striking feature is the Neoclassical monument to Sir Alexander Ball, a British admiral and Malta's first Civil Commissioner. Designed in 1810 by Maltese architect Giorgio Pullicino, the temple was inspired by the ancient Greek Temple of Hephaestus in Athens. Its grand columns and symmetry stand proudly against the harbor backdrop — a fitting tribute to a naval officer who played a pivotal role in Malta's history. The placement of the monument overlooking the water reinforces Ball's connection to the sea, making it both an architectural gem and a symbolic landmark.

Scattered throughout the gardens are a number of commemorative plaques and monuments that mark moments of European and Maltese significance. Visitors will find tributes to events such as the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, the Prague Spring, and the 50th anniversary of the European Union, among others. These memorials lend the gardens a reflective character, blending remembrance with the natural calm of the setting. The combination of historic monuments, harbor views, and gentle greenery makes the Lower Barrakka Gardens not just a scenic stop but also a contemplative one.

Just below the gardens lies the Siege Bell War Memorial, one of Valletta's most powerful tributes to World War II. Its giant bronze bell rings daily in remembrance of those who lost their lives defending Malta. A short walk from the gardens, the bell's sound echoes across the Grand Harbour, adding to the area's atmosphere of quiet dignity. For a relaxed break, visitors can also enjoy the small kiosk café nearby, offering coffee, drinks, and snacks with a view. And for those wanting to continue their exploration, a short climb leads to the Upper Barrakka Gardens above — offering yet another, even more dramatic, vantage point over Malta's capital.

The Lower Barrakka Gardens appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Valletta!

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