Malta Aviation Museum

The Malta Aviation Museum is a good half-day out for anyone who likes aircraft, whether or not they know a Spitfire from a Hurricane. It stands at Ta' Qali, a former airfield in the middle of the island, and it is run by a voluntary, non-profit foundation that was set up on 1 November 1994 to create a display of exhibits connected with Malta's rich aviation history.

On VisitMalta.co.uk it is listed under museums in Malta. Ta' Qali is a few minutes from the walled city described in our Mdina guide, so the two combine well in one day. Families may also like Adventure Hub nearby.

What you can see

The collection includes aircraft that flew in Malta as well as others chosen because they fit into the island's aviation story. Each one is restored to flying, taxiing or static display condition. The foundation works to acquire, restore and preserve aircraft, artefacts and documents of cultural, historical and educational value. The displays sit in arched hangars, where visitors can get close to engines, cockpits and instrument panels.

Visitor information on the museum's pages also covers educational group visits and a publications section, so there is something for families, schools and keen readers as well as enthusiasts. The grounds also hold a memorial chapel, and a memorial garden dedicated to Henriette Chevalier. A new exhibition on the pilot Remo Cazzolli and the Reggiane Re.2001, covering the pilot, the wreck and the legacy, was announced in September 2026. The foundation also publishes aviation books, and has hosted launches of titles on Mediterranean aviation history.

The restoration workshop

The workshop is the heart of the museum. The story began in a single-car garage in Attard in the early 1990s, when a chance find of Spitfire undercarriage covers sparked an idea. When the remains of Spitfire IX EN199 turned up in a scrapyard in Fgura, enthusiasts joined forces to restore it, and it later moved to Ta' Qali. The first workshop was a hut with basic hand tools, and the most advanced machine was a sandblasting cabinet. The Hawker Hurricane was restored at the museum's present site, and tooling has improved a great deal since, with more equipment still being added.

The focus has since shifted from static aircraft to airworthy ones. A Tiger Moth, a Piper L-4 and a Cessna L-19 have flown again after restoration in the workshop. It is run by a full-time aircraft engineer alongside volunteers, and during your visit you may see restorers at work on the latest project.

Opening hours and entrance fees

The museum opens Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sunday from 9am to noon, with last entry at 4pm. It is closed on 10 February, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, 29 June, 15 August, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Entry is €9.00 for adults, €7.00 for senior citizens and students, and €3.00 for children aged 3 to 12. Parking is free. If you are choosing a date, our Malta weather guide shows what to expect month by month, and hotels in Mdina and Rabat are close by if you want a base.

Group visits and getting there

Group visits must be booked in advance and discounts are available for tourists, tour operators, schools, associations and companies. Museum guides go round with the group and explain the history and technical details of the exhibits.

By bus, take Malta Sightseeing's Blue Line or North Tour, which runs every 30 minutes and stops at the museum. Route 56 from Valletta (see our Valletta guide) to Dingli runs hourly, route 186 from Buġibba to Rabat every 30 minutes and route 202 from Sliema to Rabat hourly, all via the Ta' Qali Stadium stop. For more ideas for the rest of your trip, see our Malta holidays overview and our things to do in Malta page. To ask a question, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the museum.