St John's Co-Cathedral

St John's Co-Cathedral stands on St John's Square in the middle of Valletta, and it is the church the Knights of Malta built for themselves. Inside, the nave is lined with gilded chapels, carved walls and tapestries, and the floor is made up of memorial tombstones. It is both a working church, with daily services, and one of the most visited places in the capital.

If you want the long view of the building and its place in the city, our separate St John's Co-Cathedral guide covers its story. This page is about practical visiting. The venue is listed in our directory of museums in Malta, and our Valletta guide shows what sits around it.

What there is to explore

The Co-Cathedral's own material is organised around the Knights, Caravaggio, Mattia Preti and the tapestries, together with tombstones and monuments, artefacts and the wider collections. Visitors with an interest in the order that built it will find a good companion in our Knights of Malta guide.

A conservation programme runs all the time to protect the fabric of the building. Current projects include the Caravaggio Wing, the Grand Masters' Crypt, the perimeter walls and the oratory, together with the New Museum Project. The museum itself is closed while it is extended and refurbished, so check before you travel what can be seen on the day.

Belfry tours are available for €5 on top of the admission fee, with tickets sold at the entrance.

Opening hours, fees and tickets

Visitors are welcome Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 16:45, and the building is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Last admission is at 16:00, which leaves only 45 minutes if you arrive at that time, so aim to arrive earlier. Opening times can change on particular days, so look for notices before you travel.

Admission is €15 for adults and €12 for seniors and students. Children under 12 enter free when accompanied by an adult. A ticket gives one entry within seven days of the date you select, and it must be shown to get in. If you choose a child, disability card or ICOM card ticket you may be asked for proof.

The entrance fee includes a handheld audio guide with 20 stops, offered in Maltese, English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Polish, Japanese, Russian, Bulgarian and Romanian. Allow about an hour and 45 minutes for a full visit.

Dress, bags and good manners

This is a church, so dress appropriately and carry a shawl to cover your shoulders if needed. Stiletto and narrow heels are not allowed. There are no lockers, so bring a small bag, hold larger bags or backpacks in your hand or on your front, and leave wheeled luggage elsewhere. Food and drink are not permitted inside.

To protect the building from heat, humidity and wear on the tombstones, the Foundation staggers or limits the number of visitors at any one time. Wheelchair users and visitors with mobility needs are able to enter, although some areas are restricted. Only identifiable guide, hearing or assistance animals are admitted. If you wish to pray, tell staff at the main entrance and you will be guided to the designated chapel.

After-hours tours and enquiries

Private guided tours are held after visiting hours, on weekdays between 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm, as a one-hour tour of the Co-Cathedral and the oratory led by an official guide of your choice. They are arranged for groups through official travel agents. Individuals, families and company clients tour during normal visiting hours. Requests should reach the team at least a month ahead, and payment is due two weeks before and is non-refundable.

Services are held daily, with morning Mass on weekdays and additional services on Saturdays, Sundays and feast days. For a first-time trip to Valletta, combine the visit with the views from the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the other ideas in our things to do in Malta page. Our page on hotels in Valletta helps with a base, the Malta weather guide helps with timing, and our Hypogeum guide suits a second heritage visit. To ask about visits or tours, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message on.