Green Spaces Open to the Public in National Heritage Sites

Press Release│ 7 May 2025

With the arrival of warmer spring days, the public is welcome to enjoy the freely accessible green areas within three Heritage Malta sites – Villa Portelli, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park, and St Paul’s Catacombs. These outdoor spaces offer a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural ambiance.

Villa Portelli, currently regaining its splendour in one of Heritage Malta’s main restoration projects, sits proudly on the hillside overlooking the Grand Harbour’s Kalkara Creek. Dating back to the early 19th century, this grand villa – named after its earliest known owner, businessman and statesman Agostino Portelli – witnessed the transformation of Kalkara from a quaint fishing enclave to a hub of maritime significance. Its grounds and lush gardens, recently regenerated in collaboration with Project Green, are open to the public every Sunday from 07:30 till 16:00.

Heading over to the panoramic southern coast of Malta, the landscape around the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park in Qrendi offers another idyllic escape from our frenetic urban lives. With a fertile plain to its east and a garrigue sloping down to the sea, commanding charming views of Filfla and the open waters, the area surrounding this UNESCO World Heritage Site is an incredible spot for hiking and to let yourself be mesmerised by the beauty of our planet as you bathe in the sun’s beams at dawn or dusk. A resting area, free binoculars, explained nature routes and interpretation along the way assure an enjoyable and insightful visit. Access is unlimited, and available through a passage on the left of the site’s parking area. 

Rabat’s St Paul’s Catacombs provide another great opportunity to unwind, with a difference. This unique site’s green spaces can be accessed for free by the public after visiting hours. With seating and public convenience facilities, this space offers a bubble of peace within the city centre. Serving as a burial ground from Punic, Roman and Byzantine times, these catacombs represent the earliest and largest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta. Access to the green area is allowed from 20:00 till 22:00, as per site opening hours until October 2025. Later updates will be added here: https://heritagemalta.mt/opening-hours/.

For more information on any of these spaces you can visit https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/ or call (+356) 22 954 300.