Walk to the very tip of Valletta, past the last café and the last souvenir shop, and you reach a star-shaped fortress staring out at the open sea. This is Fort St Elmo. It has been attacked by the Ottoman Empire, bombed by the Italian air force and battered by Axis raids, and it is still standing.
Today the fort is home to the National War Museum, one of the best museums in Malta and the place where you can see the George Cross, the medal awarded to the whole island for its courage in the Second World War. This guide covers the fort’s story, what’s inside the museum, ticket prices and a few tips for getting the most out of your visit.
Why Fort St Elmo is where it is
Look at a map of Valletta and you’ll understand Fort St Elmo immediately. It sits at the very end of the Sceberras peninsula, exactly where the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour meet the sea. Whoever controlled this point controlled the entrance to both harbours.
The Knights of St John knew that. They built the first star-shaped fort here in 1552, years before Valletta itself existed. At the time, the peninsula was nothing but bare rock, and the Knights were living across the water in Birgu.
The fort that held out for a month
In 1565 the Ottoman Empire arrived with a huge fleet and an army that vastly outnumbered the defenders. This was the Great Siege of Malta, and Fort St Elmo was the first target. The Ottoman commanders expected it to fall within days.
It held out for around a month. The defenders were bombarded day and night, and every night small boats crossed the harbour from Fort St Angelo to bring in fresh men and take away the wounded. When the fort finally fell in June, almost none of its defenders survived. But the time they bought was decisive. The Ottomans had lost thousands of men, including the famous corsair commander Dragut, who was mortally wounded during the attack on St Elmo, and the delay gave the rest of Malta time to hold on until help arrived in September.
After the siege, the Knights rebuilt and strengthened the fort, and it became part of the defences of the brand new city of Valletta. Read more about the capital in our Valletta guide.
Fort St Elmo in the Second World War
Nearly four centuries later, the fort was on the front line again. On 11 June 1940, the day after Italy declared war, Fort St Elmo was hit in the very first air raid on Malta. Over the next two years Malta became one of the most heavily bombed places on Earth, and the fort’s guns helped defend the Grand Harbour throughout.
In April 1942, at the height of the bombing, King George VI awarded the George Cross to the people of Malta for their heroism. It’s the only time the medal has been given to an entire nation, and it still appears on the Maltese flag today.
What you’ll see at the National War Museum
The museum is laid out in sections that take you through Malta’s military history in order, from the Bronze Age through the Knights and the Great Siege to the British period and the Second World War. The Second World War collection is the heart of it, and a few objects stand out.
- The George Cross. The actual medal awarded to Malta in 1942, displayed with the King’s message to the Maltese people. It’s surprisingly small, and that somehow makes it more moving.
- Faith, the Gloster Sea Gladiator. The surviving fuselage of one of the biplanes that defended Malta in the first months of the war. Together with its sister planes, it became part of the island’s wartime legend.
- Husky, Roosevelt’s jeep. The Willys jeep used by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his visit to Malta in 1943.
- The War Memorial. A separate space within the museum holding many of the medals awarded for bravery during the war.
Beyond the museum, you’re free to walk around large parts of the fort itself: the parade grounds, the ramparts, the old chapel and the bastions looking out over the sea and across to Fort Ricasoli on the other side of the harbour mouth.
One thing to know before you go: Heritage Malta has noted that the First World War display in Section 4 of the museum is temporarily closed, while Section 2, covering the early Knights and the Great Siege, has reopened. Check the official page for the latest updates.
In Guardia: the historic re-enactment
On selected Sundays, Fort St Elmo hosts In Guardia, a colourful re-enactment of a military inspection from the time of the Knights, with soldiers in period costume, drums, flags and cannon fire. It’s one of the most fun ways to experience the fort, especially with kids.
On show days, In Guardia runs in the late morning and needs its own ticket. If you only want to visit the fort and museum on one of those Sundays, regular admission starts from 12 noon. Show dates are listed on the Heritage Malta website.
Ticket prices
A standard ticket includes both Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (18+) | €10.00 |
| Youths (12-17) | €7.50 |
| Senior citizens (60+) | €7.50 |
| Concessions and students | €7.50 |
| Children (6-11) | €5.50 |
| Infants (1-5) | Free |
Prices can change, so check the official Fort St Elmo page on the Heritage Malta website before your visit. The fort is also included in the Heritage Malta Multisite Pass, which we explain in our complete guide to Heritage Malta museums and sites.
Useful tip: Fort St Elmo is one of the places where you can buy last minute tickets for the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum. If the Hypogeum is on your wish list, our Hypogeum guide explains exactly how that works.
How long you need
Heritage Malta recommends at least an hour and a half to see both the fort and the museum properly. If you love military history, or you want to walk the ramparts slowly, give it two to three hours.
Opening hours
The fort is open daily, but hours can change by season and on In Guardia days, so always check the current times on the Heritage Malta website. Like all Heritage Malta sites, it’s closed on 24, 25 and 31 December, 1 January and Good Friday.
How to get there
Fort St Elmo is at the far end of Valletta, on Mediterranean Street. From City Gate, walk straight down Republic Street to the end and follow the signs, which takes around 15 minutes on foot. Valletta is car-free in many areas, so walking is by far the easiest way. If you’re coming from Sliema, the ferry across Marsamxett Harbour drops you on the Valletta side, a pleasant walk from the fort.
Make a day of it in Valletta
- Morning: the National Museum of Archaeology on Republic Street, to see Malta’s prehistoric treasures.
- Late morning: Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum.
- Lunch: anywhere along the lower end of Valletta, with sea views.
- Afternoon: the Grand Master’s Palace, then the Upper Barrakka Gardens for the view over the Grand Harbour. Arrive before noon or 4pm to hear the Saluting Battery fire its cannon.
- Evening: take the ferry across to Birgu, where the Knights were based during the Great Siege. Our Three Cities guide has everything you need.
Tips before you go
- Visit Fort St Angelo too. St Elmo and St Angelo face each other across the harbour and tell the two halves of the Great Siege story.
- Bring water and sun protection. Much of the fort is open to the sky, and the stone reflects the heat in summer.
- Check the In Guardia schedule. If you’re in Malta on a show Sunday, it’s worth planning around.
- Accessibility: Heritage Malta publishes access information for each site, so check it in advance if needed, as some parts of a 16th century fort are naturally uneven.
Frequently asked questions
Is the George Cross at Fort St Elmo? Yes. The George Cross awarded to Malta in 1942 is on display in the National War Museum inside Fort St Elmo.
Does one ticket cover the fort and the museum? Yes. Standard admission covers both.
How much is the ticket? €10 for adults, €7.50 for youths, seniors and students, €5.50 for children aged 6 to 11, and free for infants.
How long do you need? At least an hour and a half, and up to three hours if you want to explore everything.
What is In Guardia? A historic military re-enactment held on selected Sundays, with separate tickets.
Is Fort St Elmo included in the Heritage Malta Multisite Pass? Yes.
Can I buy Hypogeum last minute tickets here? Yes, Fort St Elmo is one of the Heritage Malta sites that sells them.
Plan your visit
Site: Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum, Mediterranean Street, Valletta Phone: 21233088 Managed by: Heritage Malta Ticket includes: Fort and museum Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours Highlights: George Cross, Faith biplane, Roosevelt’s jeep Husky, ramparts Booking: Online through the Heritage Malta store or at the entrance Closed: 24, 25 and 31 December, 1 January, Good Friday Nearby: National Museum of Archaeology, Grand Master’s Palace, Upper Barrakka Gardens
Beautiful Malta is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with Heritage Malta. Always check opening hours and prices on the official Heritage Malta website before visiting.