Updated in September 2026, this National Museum of Archaeology guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking or transport, accessibility and what to see.
The National Museum of Archaeology is Malta‘s main prehistory museum, housed in the Auberge de Provence on Republic Street, Valletta. The building dates to 1571 and once housed the Knights of the Order of St John. As of September 2026, the museum opens every day of the week, from 09:00 to 18:00, a fuller weekly schedule than several nearby Heritage Malta sites offer.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Every day, 09:00–18:00 (March to December). Shorter hours apply in January and February. |
| Ticket prices | Adults €5.00; concessions €3.50; children 6–11 €2.50; under 6s free |
| Address | Auberge de Provence, Republic Street, Valletta, Malta |
| Nearest transport / parking | Any bus to Valletta bus terminus, then a 5-minute walk; CVA charges apply for cars |
| Typical time needed | 1 to 2 hours |
National Museum of Archaeology opening hours
The museum opens every day of the week from 09:00 to 18:00, between March and December. Last admission is at 17:30.
Between January and February, hours shorten to 09:00–17:00 daily, with last admission at 16:30. Confirm exact dates on the official opening hours page before visiting in early or late winter, as the switch-over dates can vary slightly each year.
The museum is also closed on 1 January, Good Friday, and 24, 25 and 31 December, in line with Heritage Malta’s policy for all its sites.
National Museum of Archaeology ticket prices
Standard adult admission costs €5.00. Reduced rates apply to several visitor groups, and some categories enter free of charge.
- Adults (18–59): €5.00
- Youths (12–17): €3.50
- Senior citizens (60+): €3.50
- Concessions and students: €3.50
- Children (6–11): €2.50
- Infants (1–5): free
- Heritage Malta members and Passport holders: free
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026. Check the official site for the latest figures before you travel.
The museum is included in a five-attraction city pass sold by third-party operators, alongside Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum, MUŻA, Fort St Angelo, and the Malta 5D Show. A guided Valletta walking tour is often bundled with this pass.
How to get to the National Museum of Archaeology
Valletta is the hub of Malta’s bus network, so almost every route ends at the Valletta bus terminus outside City Gate. From there, it is a five-minute walk along pedestrianised Republic Street to the museum.
A single two-hour bus ticket currently costs €2.50 in summer, dropping to €2.00 in winter, with free transfers within that period. Ferries also connect Sliema and the Three Cities to Valletta’s waterfront, a short walk from the museum.
Parking at the National Museum of Archaeology
Valletta operates a Controlled Vehicular Access (CVA) charging system for cars. The first 30 minutes are free, then charges of €0.82 per hour apply on weekdays between 08:00 and 14:00, up to a daily maximum of €6.52.
Entry after 14:00 on weekdays is free, as is all-day access on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Budget-conscious drivers can instead use the Floriana Park & Ride, a short walk from City Gate, which charges a small daily fee and runs a shuttle into Valletta on most days. The car park operates daily from 06:00 to 21:00, though the shuttle does not run on Sundays or public holidays.
How long to spend at the National Museum of Archaeology
Most visitors need 1 to 2 hours to see the permanent collection at a comfortable pace. Allow extra time if you are using an audio guide or combining the visit with other sites on Republic Street. Visitors with a strong interest in prehistory sometimes spend closer to 2.5 hours reading every display panel in detail.
Accessibility at the National Museum of Archaeology
All areas of the museum are fully accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. Fully accessible toilets, a gift shop and an indoor and outdoor seating area are also available on site.
The museum has designated quiet spaces for autism-friendly visits every Wednesday from 13:00 to 16:00. An unattended children’s room is available, though children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Audio guides are offered in ten languages, including English, Italian, German, Spanish, French, Polish and Japanese, so most visitors can follow the collection in a familiar language.
Inside the National Museum of Archaeology
The collection spans Malta’s Neolithic period, from around 5900 BC, through to the early Phoenician period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC. The ground floor covers the Neolithic era, displaying tools and vessels used by the islands’ earliest farming communities. Carved figures from this era show early artistic skill alongside daily domestic life.
Highlights on the ground floor include the Sleeping Lady, excavated from the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, and the Venus of Malta, found at Ħaġar Qim. A colossal statue fragment from the Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex is also displayed here.
The upper floor holds a collection of skulls from the Hypogeum, originally excavated under Fr Emmanuel Magri and later Sir Themistocles Zammit. This floor also covers the Bronze Age and Phoenician periods, with ritual vessels, funerary urns and amphorae.
Phoenician glass and gold artefacts sit alongside a large terracotta sarcophagus in this section. The Cippus of Malta, an inscription that helped decipher the Phoenician alphabet, is displayed here alongside a copy of the matching Louvre Cippus.
The upper floor also houses the Gran Salon, a large painted hall dating to the early 1800s, used for exhibitions and events. Temporary exhibitions elsewhere in the museum typically draw on the reserve collection and recent excavation finds. The building also holds an archive of documentation from the early Museums Department, including a collection of photographic glass negatives.
Practical visitor tips
| Aspect | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid midday crowds around Republic Street. |
| Crowds | Queues build quickly on days when cruise ships dock in Valletta, so check arrivals beforehand. |
| Layout | The collection runs chronologically from the ground floor to the upper floor, so start at street level. |
| Entry process | Tickets and audio guides are both issued at the reception desk inside the Auberge de Provence. |
| On-site logistics | A small gift shop and seating area are available, but there is no full café on site. |
Frequently asked questions about the National Museum of Archaeology
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the National Museum of Archaeology suitable for children? | Yes. An unattended children’s room and family-friendly displays make it suitable for most ages. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, tickets are normally available at the door, though online booking is possible. |
| Is the National Museum of Archaeology open on Sundays? | Yes, the museum opens every day of the week, including Sundays. |
| Are bags allowed inside? | Small bags are permitted, and lockers are available for larger items. |
| Is the museum wheelchair accessible? | Yes, all areas are fully accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. |
Things to do near the National Museum of Archaeology
- St John’s Co-Cathedral: a richly decorated cathedral a short walk along Republic Street.
- Grand Master’s Palace: the former seat of the Knights of St John, including the Palace Armoury.
- Upper Barrakka Gardens: a hilltop garden with views over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities.
- MUŻA: Malta’s national community art museum, housed in the Auberge d’Italie.
- Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum: a fortified headland covering Malta’s military history.
Alternative attractions
- Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Paola: an underground Neolithic burial complex, requiring advance booking.
- Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex, Tarxien: a group of megalithic temples close to Valletta.
- Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park, Qrendi: coastal megalithic temples with a visitor centre.
- Skorba and Ta’ Ħaġrat Megalithic Sites, Mġarr: smaller prehistoric temple sites in rural Malta.
- Domvs Romana, Rabat: a preserved Roman townhouse with mosaic floors, near Mdina.
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 the top sights in Mdina: St Paul’s Cathedral and Palazzo Falson.
- Plan your visit to Malta’s San Anton Gardens.
- Exploring the Old Prison on Gozo.
- Complete guide to visiting the Ggantija Archaeological Park on Gozo.
