This fortified medieval city along Malta's Grand Harbor has 16th-century walls, maritime museums, and narrow limestone streets leading to St. Lawrence Church.
Birgu, also known as Città Vittoriosa, sits across the Grand Harbour from Valletta. Walk through medieval streets to discover Fort St. Angelo's gun platforms, examine 16th-century prison cells at the Inquisitor's Palace, or explore Malta's maritime past at the Naval Museum. This small fortified town, spanning just 0.5 square kilometers, was the first home of the Knights of St. John and served as Malta's capital before Valletta.
Getting to Birgu
Take bus routes 2, 3, or 4 from Valletta to reach Birgu in 15 minutes. Cross the Grand Harbour by ferry from Lascaris Wharf in Valletta between 7:00 and 19:00 for views of both cities. Traditional water taxis also make the crossing to the Birgu marina.
Exploring Fort St. Angelo
Fort St. Angelo dominates the tip of Birgu's peninsula. The Knights of St. John transformed this medieval castle in the 1500s into the massive fortification you see today. Explore multiple levels of military architecture, from medieval dungeons to gun platforms. During the Great Siege of 1565, the Knights commanded their defense of Malta from here. Visit daily from 9:00 to 17:00 and climb to the upper levels for views across the Grand Harbour.
Walking the Collachio District
Walk through the medieval Collachio district where the Knights of St. John once lived. Each langue (language group) maintained its own auberge (residence) in these winding streets. Today, you'll find the Auberge d'Angleterre functioning as a public library and the Auberge de France serving as local council offices. The limestone streets contain traditional Maltese wooden balconies and ornate stone doorways.
Museums and Cultural Sites
Step into the Inquisitor's Palace (open 9:00-17:00) to see original prison cells, a tribunal room, and the inquisitor's private quarters. The Maritime Museum displays over 20,000 artifacts, including Roman anchors, 18th-century naval uniforms, and detailed ship models from the Knights' era. Visit the Malta at War Museum to walk through an underground air raid shelter where residents took refuge during World War II bombing raids.
The Birgu Waterfront
Walk along the waterfront promenade where restaurants and cafes occupy restored historic buildings. The former Palace of the General of the Galleys now operates as a casino. In the marina, traditional Maltese fishing boats dock next to modern yachts. Take in harbor views from benches along the promenade between the Maritime Museum and Fort St. Angelo.
Religious Buildings
Visit St. Lawrence's Church in central Birgu to see its baroque interior and paintings from the Knights' period. The church's feast day on August 10th brings the streets to life with decorations. Join locals from July 31st to August 10th for evening celebrations including religious processions, band marches, and fireworks displays.
