A Glimpse At Maltese Gardens

Enjoy leisurely walks through Malta’s most magnificent gardens, beginning with the Upper Barrakka Gardens, a colonnaded greenspace created in 1661. Although once privately owned, the gardens became public in the mid-19th century. Besides seeing extraordinary flora and a collection of fine statuary, you will enjoy sweeping views of Valletta’s harbor and Old Town. Similarly, the San Anton Gardens that surround the nearby San Anton Palace were once private. It is a more formal setting known for its rare plant species that include little-seen varieties of roses and orchids and trees that are more than 300 years old. Chances are, you will see peacocks and peahens strutting about the paths. In the village of Naxxar, you will meander through the classic Baroque gardens of Palazzo Parisio, a 19th-century estate that has been in the same family since shortly after being built. Although it is a private walled garden, you will have access to the botanical wonders and orangerie.