The Barracca Gardens, built on two elevated levels, offer fabulous panoramic views of Valletta and the Grand Harbour.
Alive with scented flowers and exotic trees the Barracca Gardens are a wonderful place to while a couple of hours, drinking in the calming atmosphere and beautiful scenery. Laid down in the mid-seventeenth century on part of the old fortifications of Valletta the gardens are a majestic mix of nature and culture.
The views from the Upper Barracca Garden are hard to beat. There is an arcaded veranda which allows visitors to take in the glorious scenery whilst having a gentle stroll, and a projecting balcony with a wrought iron railing that serves as an excellent viewing point to fully appreciate the magnificent vista of Grand Harbour.
At the centre of the garden is a small fountain full of goldfish and pretty water-lilies. A kiosk on the south side of the upper level offers cold drinks, ice-creams and teas and coffee. This is a particularly good spot to take advantage of the unrivalled views over one of the world's deepest and largest natural harbours to the historical Three Cities beyond.
Of particular interest are the many statues and monuments that adorn the gardens. In the centre of the Lower Garden there is a small Greek-style folly built in memory of Governor Sir Alexander John Ball, Britain's first civil commissioner in Malta. On this level there is also a World War II monument which was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in 1992.
