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Malta Maritime Museum, Cottonera Travel Guide

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Explore 7,000 years of naval history at Malta Maritime Museum, from ancient seafaring to naval power struggles, in the heart of Birgu.

Explore Malta's extensive maritime past at the Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu, housed in the historic Old Naval Bakery. Discover over 7,000 years of naval history with artifacts ranging from Roman anchors to ship models, cannons, and more.

A brief summary to Malta Maritime Museum

  • Monday 9 am-7 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-7 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-7 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-7 pm
  • Friday 9 am-7 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-7 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-7 pm
Eve
From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Malta Maritime Museum.

  • Visit in the morning for a quieter experience and to allow time to explore other attractions in Birgu.
  • Photography is allowed, but flash photography is prohibited to preserve the artifacts.
  • Allow at least 1-2 hours to fully explore the museum's extensive collection.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to nearby Fort St. Angelo or the Inquisitor's Palace to explore more of Birgu's rich heritage.

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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Birgu waterfront, the Malta Maritime Museum is easily accessible on foot. As you walk along the waterfront, you'll find the museum housed in the impressive Old Naval Bakery building. The entrance is clearly marked.

  • Public Transport

    The Malta Maritime Museum is easily accessible by bus. Several bus routes connect Valletta to Birgu. From Valletta, take bus routes 2 or 4, which take approximately 15 minutes. The closest bus stop is a short, 5-minute walk from the museum. A single bus fare costs €3.

  • Ferry

    A scenic way to reach Birgu is by taking the ferry from Valletta. The ferry departs from Lascaris Wharf in Valletta and arrives at Cospicua Dockyard Creek, a short walk from the museum. The ferry crossing takes about 15 minutes and costs €2.

Discover more about Malta Maritime Museum

The Malta Maritime Museum, situated in the historic town of Birgu (Vittoriosa), offers a deep dive into Malta's naval legacy. Housed in the former Royal Naval Bakery, constructed in the 1840s, the museum showcases over 20,000 artifacts that narrate Malta's maritime history from prehistory to the present. The building itself has a rich history, initially serving as the galley arsenale during the Knights of St. John's rule before becoming the Royal Naval Bakery and later the Dockyard Constabulary Headquarters.Visitors can explore exhibits detailing shipbuilding, navigation, and Malta's strategic role in Mediterranean naval history. Highlights include a 4-ton Roman anchor, a model of a ship belonging to the Order of St. John, a collection of over sixty boats, cannons, and the Napoleonic figurehead of the HMS Hibernia. The museum aims to illustrate Malta's maritime history within a Mediterranean and global context, showcasing the impact of seafaring on Maltese society.Currently, the museum is undergoing a major redesign and redevelopment project to offer visitors a meaningful perspective on the Maltese Islands and their relationship with Mediterranean and global civilizations.

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