Barrakka Lift: How to Use It and What to Check

The Barrakka Lift links Valletta’s waterfront level with the Upper Barrakka Gardens area. The lift stands 58 metres high and has two cabins, each with space for 21 passengers. It was inaugurated on 15 December 2012.

At the lower end, you’ll find Lascaris Wharf, opposite the harbour-ferry landing place and about 500 metres from the Valletta Cruise Ferry Terminal. At the top, the lift opens by Upper Barrakka Gardens. You can also plan a stop at the Saluting Battery, close to the gardens.

One ferry option is the Valletta–Three Cities service, which links Lascaris Wharf in Valletta with Inner Dockyard Creek in Cospicua. Transport Malta lists sailings at 30-minute intervals from each landing place. If you’re travelling from Senglea, check the ferry operator’s route and landing details to plan your connection.

A valid Valletta–Three Cities ferry ticket includes free use of the Barrakka Lift on the same day. Malta Public Transport also operates a Valletta Ferry service connecting Valletta with Cospicua and Sliema; passengers travelling from Cospicua receive a ticket for complimentary lift access. Holders of a valid personalised tallinja Card can travel free on that Valletta Ferry service.

For a wider itinerary, you can combine Valletta with the Three Cities using this one-day Senglea, Birgu and Valletta plan.

Choose the Lascaris Wharf entrance to travel up to Upper Barrakka Gardens, or enter at the gardens to descend to the waterfront. The ride between the two endpoints takes approximately 23 seconds.

If you have a ferry ticket, keep it available: a valid Valletta–Three Cities ticket includes same-day lift use, while Cospicua passengers on Malta Public Transport’s Valletta Ferry receive a complimentary-access ticket.

You can also buy a standard lift fare for a return journey on the same day. Adults and children over 2 years old who present a personalised tallinja Card can use the lift free.

The published schedule changes by season and day of the week. From November through April, service runs from 06:30 to 22:00 Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and until 23:30 on Friday and Saturday. In May, it runs until 23:30 Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and until 00:30 on Friday and Saturday.

From June through September, the lift operates daily from 06:30 to 00:30. In October, it operates daily from 06:30 to 00:00. The standard fare is €1 for a same-day return; free-use conditions apply for eligible personalised tallinja Card holders and certain ferry passengers.

Schedules and fares can change, so check the official site before you go. Transport Malta publishes the lift and Valletta–Three Cities ferry information.

The lift is a direct connection between Lascaris Wharf and Upper Barrakka Gardens. If you’re planning around ferry arrivals, Malta Public Transport says Route 133 connects Valletta ferry quays with the centre of Valletta. It also lists a free shuttle between Marsamxetto and Lascaris, synchronised with ferry arrivals and departures.

For another garden stop in Valletta, consider adding Lower Barrakka Gardens to your route. Check which transport service and landing place best match your starting point before setting out.

Upper Barrakka Gardens sit beside the lift’s upper endpoint at Castile Place, making them an easy stop before continuing around the upper city. The Saluting Battery is also close by, so you can pair the gardens and battery in one visit. To include the waterfront gardens as well, see the guide to Lower Barrakka Gardens.