Attard

Attard is a historic city now inhabited mainly by well-to-do residents. Its main attraction is the San Anton Palace, which is the official residence of the President of Malta, surrounded by gardens.

The 16th century San Anton Palace, together with the Chapel of Our Lady of Pilar, which was added two hundred years later, was in the past the main residence of the Grand Master of the Maltese Order. At the end of the 18th century, meetings of the National Assembly of Malta were held here, and today it serves the president of the country. The picturesque San Anton Gardens feature the Presidential Kitchen Garden and the Petting Zoo. A short distance from the palace you can see the classicist Villa Bologna surrounded by a garden.
Other important places in Attard are concentrated around Ta Qali National Park. Among the green areas there is Ta Qali Mini Zoo, where you can watch, among others. llamas or ponies. The history of this place, which served as an airport during the war, is remembered by the nearby Malta Aviation Museum. Another attraction of the area is the Mdina Glass factory, where glass is produced using traditional methods.

SIGHTS

San Anton Gardens

San Anton Gardens are the gardens at the Palace of San Anton, which is now the official residence of the President of Malta. The gardens were founded in 1623 by the Grand Master of the Order of Saint. Jan, Antoine de Paul. It’s best known from Malta’s gardens. It is filled with impressive trees and stone beds planted with flowering plants, including roses and bougainvilleas. The garden architecture is created by numerous fountains and ponds.

San Anton Gardens was opened to the public in 1882. In the years 1802-1964, the Palace of San Anton rising in the garden was the residence of the British governor. Currently, apart from representative functions, the garden also plays the role of a place for organizing garden fairs, theater performances and concerts.

The attraction of San Anton Gardens is the extensive aviary. Birds freely use both alleys and water reservoirs. The latter are the habitat of turtles. Tame animals, next to the playground, are one of the biggest attractions of the garden for the youngest visitors.

OPENING HOURS

  • Monday:0900-1700
  • Tuesday:0900-1700
  • Wednesday:0900-1700
  • Thursday:0900-1700
  • Friday:0900-1700
  • Saturday:0900-1700
  • Sunday:0900-1700

Ta’ Qali Crafts Village

This Crafts Village is located in a former RAF wartime airfield, and is a very popular tourist attraction in Malta.

Here, different kinds of crafts and beautiful artefacts are created and sold by local expert artisans.

The Ta’ Qali Crafts Village provides you with the opportunity to watch craftsmen blowing glass, visit a filigree goldsmith, as well as purchase beautiful jewellery, sculptures, and lace.

San Anton Palace travel guidebook –must visit attractions in Attard – San Anton Palace nearby recommendation – Trip.com

San Anton Palace

The official residence of the Maltese president, the magnificent San Anton Palace is situated in the stunning town of Balzan, surrounded by breathtaking gardens. Built nearly 500 years ago, the palace originally served as the sumptuous summer villa of the French Grandmasters.

Originally belonging to Antoine de Paule, who extended it regularly during his lifetime to accommodate his regular stream of guests, this luxurious villa became more lavish with each renovation and was used as a country retreat by several Grandmasters over the next 200 years, before becoming the official residence of the governor-general under the British Empire.

Of course, no tour of the palace is complete without a stroll around its citrus studded gardens, brimming with lush verdure and adorned by decorative fountains, gazebos, and a network of geometrically planned pathways.

Truly delightful both outside and in, a tour of this splendid palace is certainly not to be missed
OPENING HOURS
Monday:0900-1700
Tuesday:0900-1700
Wednesday:0900-1700
Thursday:0900-1700
Friday:0900-1700
Saturday:0900-1700
Sunday:0900-1700

Contact

email
attard.lc@gov.mt
address
13/15, Triq Sant'Anna, H'Attard
phone
21411111 - 21433979​