St John's Co-Cathedral

St John's Co-Cathedral is one of the sights most visitors to Valletta put at the top of their list. It is an active church as well as a place to visit, so you share the building with worshippers, and services are held there every day. The entrance ticket includes a handheld audio guide, which makes it easy to follow the story at your own pace.

On VisitMalta.co.uk it is listed among our museums in Malta. For the wider picture of the capital, see our guide to Valletta, and for background on the history behind the church, read our Knights of Malta guide.

What there is to explore

The website organises the Co-Cathedral around a handful of themes: the Knights, Caravaggio, Mattia Preti and the tapestries. Further sections cover tombstones and monuments, artefacts, the collections and research, so there is plenty to read before or after your visit.

The Foundation that looks after the building runs a continuing programme of restoration and conservation. Its projects include the Caravaggio Wing, the Grand Masters' Crypt, the restoration of the perimeter walls and of the Oratory, and the New Museum Project. The museum is currently closed for extension and refurbishment, so check the latest notice on the Co-Cathedral's site before you plan your day.

Concerts and events also take place, and in October the programme includes several chances to see the building after hours.

Opening hours and prices

Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4.45pm, with the last admission at 4pm. Anyone who arrives at 4pm has 45 minutes to visit and cannot extend it. The Co-Cathedral is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Opening times change on some dates (our Malta weather guide helps you pick a month), and for October the notice gives a start at 11am on Thursday 1 October, noon on Wednesday 7 October and 11am on Thursday 15 October, with last admission at 4pm on all three.

Admission is €15 for adults and €12 for seniors and students. Children under 12 go free when accompanied by an adult. The climb to the belfry costs an extra €5, and tickets for it are sold at the entrance. A ticket is valid for one entry within seven days of the date you selected, and you may be asked to show documents if you choose the child, disabled access or ICOM card option. The fee helps pay for the building's conservation.

Tips for your visit

Allow about an hour and 45 minutes. The audio guide has 20 stops and comes in Maltese, English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Polish, Japanese, Russian, Bulgarian and Romanian. As this is a church, dress appropriately and bring a shawl if you need to cover your shoulders. Stiletto and narrow heels are not allowed.

There are no lockers, so take a small bag. Larger bags and backpacks must be carried by hand or worn on the front, and large wheeled luggage, food and drink are not allowed. Only guide, hearing and assistance animals may enter. Wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility can enter, although some areas are restricted. To keep temperature and humidity stable and to protect the floors, the Foundation staggers or limits the number of people inside at one time.

Services, prayer and private tours

Ecclesiastical services are at 8.30am Monday to Friday, at 8.30am and 5.45pm on Saturdays, and at 7.45am, 9.30am, 11.30am and 5.45pm on Sundays and feast days. If you want to pray, tell the staff at the main entrance and they will guide you to the right chapel.

After hours, official travel agents can request private guided tours for groups on weekdays between 4.30pm and 6pm, led by an official guide of your choice. Requests are needed at least one month ahead and full payment two weeks before. Individuals and families visit during normal hours. Near Valletta you can also see the Upper Barrakka Gardens. For somewhere to stay, see hotels in Valletta, and for more ideas see things to do in Malta. Heritage fans may also like our Hypogeum guide and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum listing. To ask a question, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message on.