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National Museum of Archaeology

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National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)

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The National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta is located in the magnificent Auberge de Provence, a Baroque building constructed in 1571. The museum houses an exceptional collection of artifacts documenting Malta's rich history from the Neolithic period to the Phoenician era. Particularly significant are the findings from the island's megalithic temples, which are among the oldest free-standing structures in the world. Among the most famous exhibits are the "Sleeping Lady" from the Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum and the "Venus of Malta" from the Hagar Qim temple. These artifacts provide deep insights into the spiritual world and artistic skills of Malta's prehistoric inhabitants. The Auberge itself is impressive, featuring a grand salon with richly decorated ceiling paintings. The museum serves as a vital center for understanding early civilizations in the central Mediterranean and attracts both researchers and tourists alike.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.

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Avg °C151415161923262725232016
Rain mm74655133171141063829582

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The National Museum of Archaeology is fully open to the public, allowing visitors to comprehensively explore its extensive indoor exhibits and well-preserved prehistoric artifacts at their own pace.
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Typical hours
The museum operates typically during standard daytime hours, though the exact schedule might fluctuate slightly with the seasons, making a morning visit a highly reliable choice.
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Photography
Photographing the fascinating prehistoric artifacts for personal memories is usually permitted, but you must strictly avoid using a flash to protect the delicate historical exhibits.
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Time needed
To fully appreciate the impressive array of exhibits and Malta's profound historical narrative, you should realistically plan to spend at least one to two hours exploring the galleries.
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Combine with
After your museum visit, taking a leisurely stroll through the historic streets of Valletta is highly recommended, as you can easily discover numerous splendid churches and cozy local cafes nearby.
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Getting there
Centrally located within the capital city, the museum is easily accessible on foot from major landmarks, or by utilizing the island's comprehensive and generally reliable public bus network.
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Insider tip
Start your visit right after the morning opening to successfully avoid the larger tour groups, allowing you to admire the precious artifacts in a much quieter and completely unhurried atmosphere.

Geography

Coordinates
35.89720, 14.51110

Facts

  • The museum has been housed in the Auberge de Provence since 1958.
  • The building originally served the knights of the Langue of Provence.
  • The iconic "Sleeping Lady" figurine is over 5,000 years old.
  • It displays pottery from the Ggantija phase (3600–3000 BC).
  • The collection includes the Cippus of Melqart with Phoenician and Greek text.
  • The museum was re-opened in its current layout in 1998 after renovation.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Malta 5D (Valletta)Malta 5D (Valletta)<1 km · NExplore →
Embassies districtEmbassies district2 km · WExplore →
The Fun Park at Tigné PointThe Fun Park at Tigné Point2 km · NExplore →
Cospicua (Bormla)Cospicua (Bormla)2 km · SExplore →
GO p.l.c. Head OfficeGO p.l.c. Head Office2 km · SWExplore →
SmartCity MaltaSmartCity Malta3 km · SEExplore →
City Sightseeing Hop-On-Hop-Off BusCity Sightseeing Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus3 km · NWExplore →
Ħal Saflieni HypogeumĦal Saflieni Hypogeum3 km · SExplore →

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Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Sights in the town National Museum of Archaeology (10)

National Museum of Archaeology🏛 museum

Archaeology museum in Valletta, Malta. Displays artifacts from prehistory to the Knights period.

💶

Church of Saint Barbara⛪ church

Church building in Valletta, Malta. Dedicated to Saint Barbara, patron saint of artillerymen.

Church of Saint Francis

Church in Valletta, Malta. Franciscan church dating from the 17th century.

Church of Saint James

Church building in Valletta, Malta. Dedicated to the Apostle James.

Auberge d'Italie

Auberge in Valletta, Malta. Former hostel of the Italian Knights of St. John.

MUŻA - National Art Museum🏛 museum

National art museum in Valletta, Malta. Houses Maltese and European artworks.

Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Church building in Valletta, Malta. Dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

Saint Andrew's Scots Church

Church in Valletta, Malta. Scottish Presbyterian church.

Our Lady of Victory Church

Church in Valletta, Malta. First church built after the 1565 siege.

Underground Valletta🏛 museum

Museum in Valletta, Malta. Shows underground passages and historical finds.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important exhibit?
The 'Sleeping Lady' from the Hal-Saflieni Hypogeum.
In what building is the museum located?
In the Auberge de Provence, a historical knights' palace.
Is the museum accessible?
Yes, there are lifts and ramps for wheelchair users.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, entry is about 5 EUR for adults.
How long does a visit take?
About 1.5 to 2 hours is enough.
National Museum of Archaeology: where is it located?
National Museum of Archaeology is located in Malta.
National Museum of Archaeology: what is there to see?
Highlights include National Museum of Archaeology, Church of Saint Barbara, Church of Saint Francis.
National Museum of Archaeology: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jul.
National Museum of Archaeology: why is it worth visiting?
The National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta is located in the magnificent Auberge de Provence, a Baroque building constructed in 1571.
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Nearby cities

St. John&#39;s Co-Cathedral — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
St. John's Co-Cathedral
The heart of Valletta, famous for its baroque splendor.
Cospicua (Bormla) — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Cospicua (Bormla)
Cospicua, or Bormla, is the largest of the Three Cities, known for its impressive docks and fortifications.
Qormi (Città Pinto) — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Qormi (Città Pinto)
Qormi is known as the 'bread city' of Malta, with a long history of baking that is still alive in its many bakeries today.
Pembroke — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Pembroke
Pembroke is Malta's newest town, known for its past as a British military base and its rocky coastline.
Luqa — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Luqa
Luqa is best known for hosting the Malta International Airport, the country's main gateway to the world.
Gudja — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Gudja
Gudja is a quiet village close to the airport, known for its three churches and the unique Palazzo Bettina.
Lija — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Lija
Lija, the last of the 'Three Villages', is renowned for its fireworks tradition, citrus groves, and the distinctive Belvedere Tower.
Żebbuġ, Malta — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Żebbuġ, Malta
Żebbuġ, also known as Città Rohan, is one of the oldest towns in Malta, known for its grand parish church and its feasts.
Mqabba — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Mqabba
Mqabba is renowned for its stone quarries, which extract the high-quality globigerina limestone, and for its paleo-Christian catacombs.
Siġġiewi (Città Ferdinand) — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Siġġiewi (Città Ferdinand)
Siġġiewi is a rural town known for its vast fields, farmhouses, and proximity to Buskett Gardens and Dingli Cliffs.
Żurrieq — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Żurrieq
Żurrieq is one of the oldest towns in Malta, known for the Blue Grotto, the Xarolla Windmill, and its catacombs.

History & landmarks

Upper Barrakka Gardens — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Public garden offering panoramic views of the Grand Harbour.
Manoel Theatre — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Manoel Theatre
One of the oldest working theatres in the world.
Embassies district — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Embassies district
An upscale residential area home to many foreign diplomatic missions.
Żonqor Point — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Żonqor Point
The northern tip of Marsaskala Bay.
Pretty Bay — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Pretty Bay
A large sandy beach in the heart of the town.
Ta&#39; Qali Crafts Village — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Ta' Qali Crafts Village
Crafts village with glass blowing.

Nature

Ta&#39; l-Agħara Hill — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Ta' l-Agħara Hill
A flat hilltop near Ħal Qormi.
St. Peter&#39;s Pool — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
St. Peter's Pool
A natural rock pool popular with cliff divers.

More places

Malta 5D (Valletta) — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Malta 5D (Valletta)
A 5D cinema experience showcasing the history and culture of Malta.
The Fun Park at Tigné Point — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
The Fun Park at Tigné Point
An indoor playground located in The Point shopping mall.
GO p.l.c. Head Office — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
GO p.l.c. Head Office
The head office of the leading telecommunications provider in Malta.
SmartCity Malta — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
SmartCity Malta
A technology park designed to be a hub for ICT and media companies.
City Sightseeing Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
City Sightseeing Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus
An easy way for families to explore Malta's main attractions on an open-top bus.
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Underground prehistoric temple.
Hompesch Arch — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Hompesch Arch
A triumphal arch built at the entrance to the city.
Foster Clark Products Ltd. — National Museum of Archaeology (Malta)
Foster Clark Products Ltd.
A food and beverage company that produces a wide range of products for export.