The most beautiful parks and gardens Valette

Situated at the top of the bastions of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul, these pleasant Baracca gardens are home to a wide variety of species (pines, oleanders, eucalyptus, hibiscus, pistachio trees...) and offer the opportunity for green walks in the heart of the capital. Maltese and tourists alike come here during the day and especially in the evening to admire the "most beautiful natural harbour in the world": the incredible panorama of the three cities opposite. From the gardens, you'll have a breathtaking view of Birgu's Fort Saint-Ange, and from the ancient ramparts, you can also see the districts of Senglea and Cospicua, the main port and the sea. Also on the quayside are the customs buildings from which the dghajsas ( Maltese gondola-shaped boats painted in bright colors) depart to visit the ports. From the balconies of Baracca, you can see as far as Mdina and its cathedral. It's Valletta's postcard and the scene of your greatest photographic exploits if you manage to avoid the shipyard cranes in your panoramic shot, which will also include the church of San Paola de Tarxien and the disused former British hospital, jutting out from the promontory near Fort St. Angelo. With the right eyes, you'll be able to spot Paola's mosque. Still on the left, you'll notice the Ricasoli fort, built by an Italian knight, on the prow facing the sea. Built in 1663, during the reign of Grand Master Nicolas Cotoner, they are also known as the "Italian Gardens", as they were originally the private domain of the Italian knights. A little later, Grand Master Fra Flaminio Balbiani built the arches that can still be seen today. They were originally covered by a roof to protect walkers from the sun. Later, the English installed several statues. You can see some of them, including a bust of Winston Churchill. The funeral monument is dedicated to Sir Thomas Maitland, one of the island's English governors in the ^19th century. The sculpture Les Gavroches by Maltese artist Sciortino (one of his masterpieces) is also among the most visible pieces. The large renovated building at the entrance to the gardens is the Malta Stock Exchange. Below, you can see a row of cannons known as the Saluting Battery. This is where you take the elevator that links Upper Barakka Gardens to the Grand Harbour. Inaugurated in December 2012, it has a futuristic design, stretches 58 meters and carries 21 passengers for 25 seconds.

Located on the waterfront above Grand Harbour, these gardens are colored by dozens of hibiscus that bloom in summer. While they may not offer as impressive a view as the one enjoyed from the Upper Barraca Gardens, they do offer a beautiful panorama. All this in a more family atmosphere where you don't have to struggle to sit on the right bench. The neo-classical monument in the form of a Greek temple dedicated to the vice-admiral, Alexander Ball, an Englishman sent by Admiral Nelson to organise the Maltese insurrection against the French in 1798 and which gives its name to the main artery of the posh Paceville district of Saint Julian's. Raised after Ball's death in 1809 and restored during the 19th century, it is the work of the Maltese artists Giorgio Pullicino and Salvatore Dimenech. During the visit you will also note the sculpture by Antonio Sciortino commemorating the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, the fountain, the well-kept hedges, the many cats and the various commemorative plaques on the terrace such as the one referring to the fiftieth anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Not far away is the most modern building, the Siege Bell Memorial, inaugurated in 1992 by Elizabeth II to honour the courage of the Maltese people during the Second World War. From these gardens you can see the former Bighi Hospital and Fort Ricasoli.

From the ramparts, whose thickness can only impress, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Msida creek and Manoel Island with its military fort, and in the background, Sliema the modern city. It is recommended to come there at sunset because the view is magnificent. The garden has laurels, olive trees and rare plants recently introduced to Malta. A marble funerary monument is dedicated to the Marquis of Hastings, Viceroy of India until 1824, then Governor of the island from 1824 to 1826. He died on the boat taking him to Naples.

They date from the 17th century and formed the private garden of the great master Pinto de Fonseca. They did not become botanical until a century later. You can see a wide variety of local and imported plants, from oak to laurel and cacti. You wander among giant cacti, ponds and cats. You will find a small cave decorated with corals, shells, pebbles and mosaics, once part of the Villa d'Argote. The belvedere dates from 1741. In the villa d'Argote, a small horticultural museum is set up. You go down the ramp, through the tunnel, over the barrier and down the steps again to reach the Jardin Saint-Philippe. This garden is planted with Mediterranean varieties such as the lemon tree, the cypress, but also with jacarandas, an American tree whose flowers are blue-purple. The garden extends over several levels, connected by stairs. Below, you can see the Bomb Gate surrounded by the four-lane roads that connect the city and Valletta with the rest of the country. It was erected during the extension of the fortifications in 1721 by the great master Perellos, whose coat of arms appears at the top. Back at the entrance to the gardens, you will find in front of you the small Sarria Chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. It houses works by Mattia Preti. Opposite it stands the Methodist church, in neo-Gothic style, completed in 1833, which today hosts cultural events.

The gardens, opened in July 1997, were designed by the Suzhou Chinese Garden Design Institute. This collaboration led to the twinning of Santa Lucija with the Jin Chang district (part of the Suzhou municipality).

A visit to these gardens will allow those who have never had the opportunity to do so, to discover the balance of a Chinese garden. Water, stones and plants symbolize birth, life and death. A small booklet available at the entrance to the site (or from tourist offices) will help you decipher these symbols and understand the elements of Chinese calligraphy.

It's a real treat for the senses to stroll around this unexpected Maltese site, a little trip to the Far East in the heart of the Mediterranean.

Alongside the playground, the long gardens bordered by ponds, where the Maltese come to stroll, rest or flirt, are commonly known as The Mall. This partially enclosed area was created by Grand Master Lascaris in 1656, and was originally dedicated to pallamaglio, a type of tennis favoured by the knights of the time. It was converted into a garden in 1805, and from maglio to mall. Here you can see monuments and statues in honor of important figures in the country's history, such as Sir Ugo Mifsud, former Prime Minister, or Sir Adrian Dingli, famous jurist. At the entrance to the Mall, the imposing sculpture erected in 1989 commemorates 25 years of independence.

Continuingalong the Mall, at its southern end you'll come to the Wignacourt Fountain, which celebrates the arrival of the city's water supply in 1615. It also marks the entrance to the Argotti and Saint-Philippe botanical gardens.

Located in L-Isla, Malta, the Gnien il-Gardjola is a picturesque garden offering breathtaking views of Valletta. Although the garden itself is not extraordinary, it is well worth a visit for its panoramic view of the city and harbor. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll through the garden while admiring the surrounding landscape. The garden's restaurant can accommodate groups of up to 100 people and serves decent cuisine. Some travelers recommend visiting the garden at sunset to take full advantage of the spectacular view. For photography enthusiasts and nature lovers, this garden offers a pleasant and relaxing experience with panoramic views over Valletta.