Malta 5D

Valletta rewards slow walking, but a wet afternoon or a tired family sometimes calls for something indoors. Malta 5D is built for exactly that moment: a compact theatre in the heart of the capital where a short film sets out the story of the islands, and the seats, air and water join in. The idea is that you feel the story as well as watch it.

The theatre sits on Old Bakery Street, a short stroll from the main thoroughfares, so it slots easily into a morning exploring the Valletta guide highlights. On VisitMalta.co.uk it appears in our directories of cinemas in Malta and entertainment venues in Malta.

What the show is

The main attraction is a film of about 18 minutes covering Maltese history and culture. It moves through colourful episodes from the island's long past, and it is pitched at all ages rather than at specialists, so there is no need to arrive knowing anything about the Knights, the sieges or the prehistoric temples.

What sets it apart from an ordinary screening is the effects. The picture is shown in 3D, and passive 3D glasses are handed out free with every ticket. Around that, the seats move, jets of air and wind sweep the room, a fine water spray reaches the audience, scents are released at key moments and the seats even tickle your legs. If you are visiting with children, or with anyone who dislikes surprises, it helps to know that the effects are physical and part of the fun.

For a visitor who has just walked past the great fortifications or come out of St John's Co-Cathedral, the film gives a quick framework that makes the rest of the day easier to follow. Anyone who wants a deeper account of the order that shaped the city can then turn to our Knights of Malta guide.

Languages and practical comfort

One of the most useful things about Malta 5D is how many languages it covers. The show is available in English, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch, German, Russian, Japanese, Turkish, Hebrew, Chinese, Polish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Greek and Hungarian, which makes seventeen in all. Automated multilingual devices and headsets are provided at no extra charge for these shows, so a mixed group can each listen in their own language.

Parents and carers of children under six are asked to speak to the duty manager before buying tickets. That is sensible, since the moving seats and sudden bursts of air can be a lot for very small children. The theatre also describes an access statement on its own pages, so anyone with particular mobility needs should raise them through the enquiry form before travelling.

Tickets, opening hours and what else is on site

Adult tickets cost €10, and children, students and senior citizens pay €6. Glasses are included in that price, as are the headsets. The theatre opens Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 16:30, and on Sundays and public holidays from 09:30 to 14:00, with shows starting every 30 minutes through the day. Because the film is short, you can fit it between lunch and a walk along the bastions, or squeeze it in before a late-morning flight home.

The foyer doubles as a small gallery. An exhibition of works by local artists is on display there, and a show of traditional Maltese balconies, those painted wooden boxes that hang over so many Valletta streets, is currently featured. Souvenirs and books are on sale as well, which is handy if you want a keepsake that is a little different from a fridge magnet. If you are building a full day around the capital, our things to do in Malta page and the view from the Upper Barrakka Gardens make natural companions to the show.

Planning your visit from the UK

Most UK visitors reach Valletta by arriving at the island's single airport and travelling on by taxi or bus, and our pages on flights to Malta and where to stay in Malta will help you choose a base. If you are staying within walking distance, the hotels in Valletta page lists the options nearest the theatre. Summer afternoons can be fierce, and an air-conditioned theatre is a welcome break, so check the Malta weather guide when deciding which part of the day to keep indoors.

If you have a question about group visits, languages, timings or access, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Malta 5D.