From 21 November 2026, the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta hosts Living for Eternity: The Ancient Egyptians, a temporary exhibition that runs all the way to 16 May 2027. It is a joint project between Heritage Malta and the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, the Dutch national museum of antiquities, so you get to see objects that normally live far away from Malta.
What the exhibition is about
Most of us picture Egypt through pyramids, pharaohs and hieroglyphs. This show tries to go a step further. It looks at the people behind those images: what they believed, how they lived day to day, and why death and the afterlife mattered so much to them. Because the pieces come from two different collections, every caption tells you which museum the object belongs to, which is a nice detail if you like knowing where things come from.
Some objects can also be explored through the Smartify app. Scan the QR code next to the caption and you get extra background on your phone, so bring earphones if you want to listen without disturbing others.
Opening hours and tickets
- Open Monday to Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00, last entry at 16:30
- Adults €8, youths, seniors and students €6, children €4
- Infants, Heritage Malta members and Heritage Pass holders enter free
- Entry to the exhibition is part of the normal museum ticket
Hours can change on public holidays, so check Heritage Malta’s opening hours page before you go.
Tips for visitors
Plan around an hour for the exhibition, then stay for the museum’s own collection. The Neolithic galleries upstairs hold the famous “Sleeping Lady” and the temple statues, which pair well with a later trip to Malta’s ancient temples. Weekday mornings are usually the quietest. If you plan to see several sites, our Heritage Malta museums and sites guide explains which pass makes sense.
How to get there
The museum is in the Auberge de Provence on Republic Street, a short walk from City Gate and the Valletta bus terminus. Almost every bus route ends at the terminus, and the ferries from Sliema and the Three Cities drop you within a fifteen minute walk. Driving into Valletta is not recommended; use the Park and Ride in Floriana instead.
Looking for more to do this season? See what’s coming up on our Malta This Week page.