Malta Postal Museum & Arts Hub

The Malta Postal Museum & Arts Hub tells the story of how Malta kept in touch with the wider world, from the days of the Knights of St John to the present. It sits in a restored Valletta townhouse on Archbishop Street, just a short step from the Grand Master's Palace, and combines a museum, a working post office, a shop and a flexible space for events.

On VisitMalta.co.uk it is listed with the capital's museums in Malta and the art galleries in Malta, which reflects its mix of heritage and exhibitions.

Postal history in a Valletta townhouse

The museum presents postal artefacts in a contemporary way, drawing out both the milestones of Maltese communication and the stories behind them. Displays include framed stamp designs, glass cases of historic items and larger objects such as a vintage motorcycle, a pillar box and a bicycle, and a traditional wooden post office counter recalls how letters were once handled.

It belongs to MaltaPost p.l.c., the national postal operator, which opened its collection to share the way the post shaped the nation. If you enjoy the Knights' era, our Knights of Malta guide sets the scene, and the museum fits well with a walk through the capital described in our Valletta guide.

Visitors who like to understand how things work will enjoy the way objects are paired with the stories of the people who used them. Expect a compact, unhurried visit rather than a sprawling day out, which makes it easy to combine with other stops in the capital.

Tickets, tours and the museum shop

Tickets are sold at the counter during opening hours and online, with a PDF ticket sent by email. Adult admission is €7. Guided options run from €6 for a child and €10 for a pensioner to €15 for an adult, and €20 for an adult guided visit with refreshments; a pensioner ticket without a guide is €6. Groups can ask for a personalised tour with the curator or museum staff, tailored to interests, ages and timeframe.

After the visit, the museum shop sells colourful note cards, collectable lapel pins, bookmarks, stationery, silver stamps, presentation packs and folders, and introduces the museum mascot, Peppi Pustier. The museum also has a fully operational post office offering MaltaPost services, including stamps, registered mail and philatelic products, handy for posting a card home to the UK.

Events, exhibitions and hiring the space

The Arts Hub side of the name reflects a programme of exhibitions and talks, and the museum can be hired for talks, screenings, workshops and small events. The second floor gallery suits book and product launches, small concerts, private viewings, lectures and film screenings, with good audio visual facilities, and a rooftop terrace is available for more intimate gatherings.

Corporate events and team-building sessions are also welcome, and artists or organisations wanting to stage a temporary exhibition can request the venue specifications, application form and exhibitor agreement from the curator. Nearby sights include St John's Co-Cathedral and the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Planning your visit

Families are well catered for: the museum has a children's area on its website with a postal trivia quiz, a Save the Postman game and a sliding puzzle, which are a good way to prepare younger visitors before they arrive. The Saturday morning opening suits a weekend city break, and weekday visits are comfortable for anyone building a longer itinerary.

The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and on Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Valletta is compact and best explored on foot, and our guide to hotels in Valletta and the page on things to do in Malta help with planning. If you are travelling from Britain, see flights to Malta.

To ask about tickets, a group tour or hiring a space, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the museum.