Fort St. Elmo

Fort St. Elmo showing heritage architecture


This battle-scared fortress has stood watch over Malta’s capital city for more than 400 hundred years. Learn about the historic sieges that took place here through dramatic reenactments.

Visit the star-shaped 16th-century Fort St. Elmo, the scene of one of the biggest battles on the island. Learn about its role in World War II, see historical reenactments and explore the military museum.

The fort was constructed in the middle of the 16th century by the Knights of Malta. They built it on the site of an old watchtower. In the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, the massive stone fortification withstood attacks from the forces of the Ottoman Empire for several weeks. It eventually fell and more than 1,000 knights were killed. The fort also suffered heavy bombardment during World War II.

Survey the massive defensive walls by walking around the exterior. Another good way to see the stronghold and appreciate its scale is with a boat tour around the harbour. Then take one of the guided tours of the structure’s interior. As you approach the main entrance, see the lids of the fort’s subterranean granaries.

Once inside, go to the lower part of the fort, which served as the Turkish prison in the 1978 movie Midnight Express. View medals, weapons and other artifacts from military campaigns at the Military History Museum.

Turn up on a Sunday to watch the historical reenactments. They feature actors in period costumes who dramatise key moments of the siege against the island. The drama includes a cannon-firing demonstration.

Fort St. Elmo is open for tours on most Sundays and there is a fee for admission, although children get in for free. Contact Heritage Malta in advance to find out on which Sundays tours are held.

Fort St. Elmo overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and is situated at the northeastern point of Valletta. The castle is about a 15-minute walk from Valletta’s bus station. On the eastern side of the fort, you can walk along a bridge to the St. Elmo Lighthouse.

Reviews of Fort St. Elmo

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
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" "5 - Excellent 45.73863636363637%
4 - Good
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" "4 - Good 44.60227272727273%
3 - Okay
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" "3 - Okay 8.806818181818182%
2 - Disappointing
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4/5 - Good

Horace

MALTA Experience Valetta

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Do not book taxi to and from airport when booking holiday - iompossible to deal with there!

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

We walked down only to find it was closed for a week for a private event. Nothing on there website informing people, very frustrating.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Quiet a lot to see on the free ramparts walk if you do not want to pay for the war museum.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Went on a coach tour to the main market very disappointing as the coach arrived late stopped off at what seemed to be a lorry park for a 25min boat trip then onto the marketplace which was only a 1:5hr stay dropped off at a different location to where we were picked up which could have been a problem for new arrivals highly disappointed

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