Grandmaster's Palace

Today the palace shares its space with the President's Palace and parliamentary offices, as well as the Palace Armoury in the lower floors of the building, which house one of the world’s finest collections of 16th- and 17th-century armor made for the Knights of St. John. Also open to the public is a series of richly decorated State Rooms in which the Grand Masters entertained guests. Highlights of a visit include the Neptune Courtyard designed by the Flemish sculptor Giambologna, the Gobelin tapestries, and a gigantic frieze depicting the Great Siege of 1565.

The Grandmaster’s Palace is generally included on private and group shore excursions and walking tours of Valletta, which also usually include a stop at the nearby Great Siege Monument. Guided tours offer background insight into the knights and the Great Siege, and some are especially focused on this aspect of Malta’s history.

• Grandmaster’s Palace is a must-see for history and architecture enthusiasts.

• A joint ticket allows entry to both the Grand Armoury and Palace State Rooms.

• The State Rooms may be closed to visitors at short notice due to government activities.

The Grandmaster's Palace is a 15-minute walk from Valletta bus station in a pedestrian area of the city. If you drive, there is designated parking outside the City Gate. Located in the heart of the city, the palace is within a few minutes’ walk of other top sights including St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the National Museum of Archaeology, as well as many hotels.

The Grandmaster’s Palace is open every day except Good Friday, Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. The State Rooms are usually closed on Thursday. Check opening hours before visiting as the palace sometimes closes due to special events or parliamentary sessions.

The Maltese architect and engineer Girolamo Cassar constructed the Grandmaster’s Palace. He was the Order of St. John’s resident engineer and was himself admitted into the order in 1569. Cassar left his mark throughout the city, having also worked on the Fortifications of Valletta, Verdala Palace, and St. John's Co-Cathedral, among others.

There are many different ways to experience Grandmaster's Palace. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

The Original Valletta Walking TourValletta City Walking TourValletta Private Walking TourDiscover Valletta Private Walking Tour - Insider TourMalta Shore Excursion: Malta in One Day Private Sightseeing Tour

Grandmaster's Palace tickets currently start at €12 for adults, are €10 for seniors and students, and €8 for children. Tickets remain valid for 30 days from the date of purchase and are available from the ticket office at the entrance.

Yes, it’s worth visiting Grandmaster's Palace—it has a fascinating history, as the first building built for Valletta by the Knights of St. John. Even if you’re not interested in learning about the building itself, touring the palace allows you to see its beautifully painted interior, including corridors lined with suits of armor.

Visitors can see much of the interior of Grandmaster's Palace, including its State Rooms and the collections of armor and weaponry inside the Palace Armory. In the State Rooms, visitors can admire the Grand Master’s Study and the Throne Room, as well as works of art such as Matteo Perez d’Aleccio’s Great Siege of 1565.

Yes, Grandmaster's Palace is accessible for visitors with impaired mobility or who use a wheelchair. Accessibility features include an elevator, ramp access to the building, and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.

Yes, you can only visit Grandmaster’s Palace independently, as guided tours of the palace interior are not offered. Audio guides are usually available upon request, offering insight into the history of the palace. Most city tours do not visit inside Grandmaster’s Palace, they simply stop outside to share a little about its history.