Argotti Garden

Argotti Garden is the star of the Floriana chain of historic gardens that make up the Malta Botanic Gardens. It lies on Triq Vincenzo Bugeja, a few minutes outside the walls of Valletta, and it is listed in our directory of museums in Malta as a living collection of plants rather than a building full of exhibits.

The garden is the sort of place a UK visitor can slip into for an hour: shaded paths, fountains and trees from other continents, a short walk from the capital's busiest streets. Because it opens early and, in summer, closes late, it also works for a quiet start before the heat builds or a gentle stroll after a Valletta dinner. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water in summer, and allow time to read about the species you pass, since many come from far-off countries.

From private garden to botanic garden

Argotti began as a private garden belonging to Grandmaster Pinto, one of the Order of St John's rulers, and in 1805 it was turned into a botanic garden. For a wider picture of the Order and what it built, see our Knights of Malta guide.

The garden is one of five historic gardens in Floriana, along with San Filippu, the Mall, Sa Maison and Tal-Milorda, plus the Pinetum. They date from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries and share the setting of the Floriana bastions.

What grows at Argotti

Argotti houses trees from several countries. Two named examples are the dragon tree, Dracaena draco, which is native to the Canary Islands, and the argan tree, Argania spinosa, which grows in Morocco and Algeria. Both are unusual sights for visitors used to British parks.

The planting is changing. The garden is being expanded with plants from various world regions, arranged by plant family so that visitors can see how plant groups evolved. Fountains with aquatic plants add to the calm atmosphere, which suits a slow wander with a camera or a notebook.

Opening hours

Argotti is open in summer from 07:00 to 23:00 and in winter from 07:00 to 21:00. The late summer closing makes it a pleasant evening option once the day's heat has eased, and our Malta weather guide shows how hot each month gets. Other gardens in the network close earlier, and a few are open round the clock.

If Argotti leaves you wanting more, the neighbouring gardens each have their own character. San Filippu, set along the bastion of the same name, has a citrus orchard on its lower level, mature trees above and the Wignacourt Fountain at its centre. Sa Maison and Tal-Milorda are linked gardens with views over Marsamxett Harbour and the yacht marina, and the Pinetum is a large wooded space planted over the old military glacis.

The network also lists an interactive map and virtual tours on its website, and keeps adding plants, such as drought-tolerant species at the Dry Garden in San Filippu.

Around Floriana and Valletta

Argotti is within walking distance of Valletta, so it fits into a day that also takes in the Valletta guide highlights such as St John's Co-Cathedral and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Browse hotels in Valletta if you want to stay close, or the Three Cities guide for the other side of the harbour.

For a wider itinerary, our things to do in Malta page has more ideas, and prehistoric sites such as the Ħal-Tarxien Prehistoric Complex are a short drive away.

Contacting the gardens

Argotti Garden sits at Triq Vincenzo Bugeja in Floriana. The gardens team can answer questions about the plantings, hours and any events.

Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the business.