Grand Master's Palace

The Grand Master's Palace occupies a full block in the centre of Valletta and was built from the 1570s as the residence of the head of the Order, later serving as the British governor's residence and then the Maltese parliament. Its state rooms carry frescoed friezes of the Great Siege by Matteo Perez d'Aleccio, Gobelin tapestries, and painted ceilings. The Palace Armoury in the former stables holds one of the largest collections of arms and armour still in its original building.

What you actually see

• The Great Siege frescoes - a painted frieze of the 1565 siege by Perez d'Aleccio.
• The Palace Armoury - a very large arms and armour collection in the old stables.
• The state rooms - the council chamber, tapestry room and audience halls.
• The courtyards - the two internal courts at the centre of the block.

When to go

Year round; it is indoors and suits any weather. Sections close for state functions without notice. Mornings are quietest.

Honest expectations

Parts of the palace close for official use, sometimes at short notice. The armoury and the state rooms are ticketed together but the visit route can be confusing. It is busy on cruise days.

Nearby

St John's Co-Cathedral is nearby, and the Upper Barrakka is southwest.