Updated in September 2026, this Fort St Elmo guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking or transport, accessibility and what to see.
Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum is a 16th-century star-shaped fort and military museum at the tip of Valletta, Malta. As of September 2026, the World War One display is closed until further notice, and Section 2 on the early Knights and Great Siege reopened on 1 August. The In Guardia re-enactment returns on Sundays from 18 October.
Fort St Elmo quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | March to October: daily 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, last admission 6:30 pm. November to February: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, last admission 4:30 pm. On In Guardia Sundays, regular admission starts at 12:00 pm. |
| Ticket prices | Adults €10. Seniors, youths, concessions and students €7.50. Children (6 to 11) €5.50. Infants (1 to 5) free. |
| Address | Fort St Elmo and National War Museum, Mediterranean Street, Valletta, Malta |
| Transport or parking | Closest bus stop is about 10 minutes on foot. Public parking is near the fort, and a small internal car park serves visitors with mobility problems. |
| Typical time needed | At least 1.5 hours |
Fort St Elmo opening hours
Fort St Elmo is open daily, and the hours depend on the season. The opening hours are 9:00 am to 7:00 pm from March to October, with last admission at 6:30 pm. From November to December, the fort is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with last admission at 4:30 pm.
Heritage Malta closes the fort on 1 January, Good Friday, and 24, 25 and 31 December.
On In Guardia Sundays, the show starts at 11:00 am in the Piazza d’Armi, and entry opens at 10:00 am for ticket holders. Regular admission to the fort and museum starts at 12:00 pm. The 2026 dates are 18 and 25 October, 1 and 15 November, and 6 and 13 December. Bad weather can cancel the show.
Fort St Elmo ticket prices
Ticket prices are €10 for adults and €5.50 for children aged 6 to 11. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026.
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (18+) | €10.00 |
| Senior citizens (60+) | €7.50 |
| Youths (12 to 17) | €7.50 |
| Concessions and students | €7.50 |
| Children (6 to 11) | €5.50 |
| Infants (1 to 5) | Free |
| Heritage Malta Members and Passport holders | Free |
- One ticket covers both the fort and the museum. Book online or buy at reception. Tickets are valid for 30 days after purchase.
- Show your ticket at the shop for 15% off the official guidebook.
- Groups of more than 10 get a 10% discount.
- In Guardia only costs €10 for adults, €7.50 for seniors and students, and €5 for children. In Guardia plus the fort and museum costs €17, €13 and €9. Heritage Malta passports and discount cards do not apply to these tickets.
Fort St Elmo is included in the Heritage Malta Multisite Pass, which costs €30 to €60 by ticket type and is valid for 30 days from first use. Pass listings also include the Grand Master’s Palace, the National Museum of Archaeology, MUŻA and the Inquisitor’s Palace.
How to get to Fort St Elmo
Fort St Elmo is on Mediterranean Street at the tip of Valletta. Heritage Malta says the closest bus stop is about 10 minutes on foot. Any bus that ends in Valletta works, followed by a 20-minute walk along Merchants Street.
Bus 133 runs from the Valletta bus terminus, and the nearest stop is called Iermu. Ferries stop at Grand Harbour (Customs House) and Marsamxett (Mattia Preti Square), and visitors then walk north along the coast road. A Hop-on Hop-off stop is just outside, and taxis and horse-drawn carriages also serve the fort.
Parking at Fort St Elmo
Visitors who drive can use public parking spaces near the fort, on a first come, first served basis. The fort also has a small internal car park for visitors with mobility problems. Heritage Malta says designated blue badge bays are available where the site permits.
How long to spend at Fort St Elmo
Heritage Malta recommends at least 1.5 hours to see a good part of both the fort and the museum. The fort has no set walking route, so visitors can roam at their own pace. Allow more time to see the whole museum, to use the audiovisual shows and to walk the outdoor areas.
Accessibility at Fort St Elmo
The site is partially accessible. Reception is step-free by ramp, and a wheelchair service and lockers are free. A lift leads to the first-floor museum on request, and staff can help.
Some areas are reachable only by stairs. These are the first floor of Abercrombie Bastion, the Harbour Fire Command, the Cavalier roof, the prison cells and Section 6 of the museum. Accessible toilets, a wheelchair-friendly turnstile and braille floor diagrams are available. Guide dogs are welcome, but other pets are not allowed inside.
Some areas contain loud sounds or flashing lights, which can affect sensitive visitors. Heritage Malta publishes a full access statement.
What to see at Fort St Elmo
The Knights of St John built the star-shaped fort in 1552 to guard the harbours. It took the brunt of the Ottoman attack in 1565 and surrendered on 23 June after a month.
The fort joined Valletta’s fortifications in 1689. Under British rule, it was upgraded for new artillery. It suffered Malta’s first aerial bombardment on 11 June 1940.
The grounds include two chapels dedicated to St Anne. At ground level, visitors can see Abercrombie Casemates, Abercrombie Bastion, the Piazza d’Armi, the Gunpowder Polverista and the Harbour Fire Command. The Submarine Walkway is a memorial to submarines lost in the Second World War.
The National War Museum has seven sections. It covers 7,000 years of Maltese military history, from the Bronze Age to Malta’s accession to the EU. It holds armour of the Order of St John and the Ottoman Turks.
The Second World War is the best represented conflict. Highlights include the Gloster Sea Gladiator N5520 Faith, Roosevelt’s Jeep Husky and the George Cross. A separate War Memorial holds many medals awarded for bravery.
Interpretation includes about 40 audiovisuals with English subtitles, and a virtual reality experience where visitors control a Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun. Visitors can also see views of both harbours.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | On In Guardia Sundays, regular admission starts at 12:00 pm, so plan for a midday entry if you skip the show. |
| Crowds | The site has no set route, so visitors can spread out around the fort. |
| Layout | The fort has two levels, with grounds at street level and most of the museum on the first floor. |
| Entry process | Buy a ticket at reception or online, then scan it at the turnstiles at the main entrance. |
| On-site logistics | Photography is allowed without flash, and lockers, four restrooms and a snack kiosk in the main piazza are available. |
Frequently asked questions about Fort St Elmo
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Fort St Elmo suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged 6 to 11 pay €5.50, and infants aged 1 to 5 enter free. Nappy changing facilities are available. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Fort St Elmo? | Heritage Malta sells tickets online and at reception. It does not state that advance booking is required, except for the In Guardia show. |
| Is Fort St Elmo open on Sundays? | Yes. On In Guardia Sundays, regular admission starts at 12:00 pm. |
| Are bags allowed at Fort St Elmo? | Heritage Malta does not publish a bag policy for Fort St Elmo, but free lockers are available. |
| Can you take photos at Fort St Elmo? | Yes, without flash. |
Things to do near Fort St Elmo
- Underground Valletta: A guided tour of tunnels, cisterns and Second World War shelters, which starts at MUŻA.
- MUŻA: The national community art museum in the Auberge d’Italie, with works from the 15th to the 21st century.
- National Museum of Archaeology: A museum in the Auberge de Provence, with prehistoric objects including the Sleeping Lady.
- The Grand Master’s Palace: A palace with a 450-year history, an Armoury and State Rooms.
- Casa Rocca Piccola: A privately owned noble palace on Republic Street, with guided tours and Second World War shelters.
Alternative attractions
All five are in Malta and within a 2.5-hour drive of Valletta.
- Lascaris War Rooms: The Second World War command centre beneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta.
- Fort St Angelo: A Heritage Malta fortress above Birgu harbour.
- Fort Rinella: A fort in Kalkara with a guided tour, a film show and a 100-ton gun.
- Malta at War Museum: A Second World War museum and air-raid shelter complex in Birgu.
- Saluting Battery: A bastion in Valletta with a daily noon gun ceremony.
More Malta travel
Other Malta travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- A practical guide to visiting the Malta National Aquarium at Qawra Point.
- Guides to Malta’s ancient sites: The Mnajdra Temples and Hagar Qim.
- Guides to the top sights in Mdina: St Paul’s Cathedral and Palazzo Falson.
- Malta’s Museum of Natural History: Updated visitor guide for this Mdina favourite.
- Plan your visit to Malta’s San Anton Gardens.
