Lascaris Wharf sits 58 metres below the heart of Valletta, and this lift takes you up in under half a minute, sparing you the long climb from the Grand Harbour waterfront through the city.
Landmark, Valletta. Meridian Dispatch.
The lift opens at 06:30 every day. As of November 2026, from November to April it closes at 22:00 from Sunday to Thursday and at 23:30 on Friday and Saturday. In May it runs to 23:30, or 00:30 on Friday and Saturday; in October to midnight; and from June to September to 00:30 nightly.
The lift is ticketed. One travel guide reported in 2018 that only the ride up was charged and the ride down was free, so have a ticket ready either way.
Yes, according to visitor guides. Both the lower station on the wharf and the top station in the gardens are step-free, and the cabins are roomy enough for wheelchairs, pushchairs and luggage.
The lift joins the two levels of Valletta. Its bottom station sits on Lascaris Wharf, on the Grand Harbour waterfront. Its top station opens beside the city's upper gardens, next to Castile Place.
The lift has two cabins, each taking 21 passengers, and it serves as the fast connection between the waterfront and the heart of the city.
Walk a few steps from the top station into Upper Barrakka Gardens, one of Malta's best-known viewpoints, for the wide view over the Grand Harbour.
At the bottom, the landing for the harbour ferry crossing is just opposite the lower station, so the lift and the ferry to the Three Cities make one easy trip.
The lower station stands on Lascaris Wharf, about half a kilometre from the cruise terminal and to your right as you leave the ship; one guide puts the walk at eight to ten minutes.
The lift is ticketed. Holders of a personalised tallinja card, the named card Malta's buses issue for free bus travel, ride free.
Coming down from the city, you find the top entrance at the far end of the gardens, right behind a large stone monument, and ride down to the wharf.
Expect long queues at the lower station when cruise ships are in port. If you have a ferry to catch on one of those days, allow extra time for the lift.
Going on to Birgu, Senglea or Cospicua? One guide says the lift ticket can be combined with the Grand Harbour ferry crossing, so ask for the combined ticket at the lift.
Stay in Valletta and two harbours are a short walk from your bed: the Barrakka Lift takes you down to the Grand Harbour for the ferry to the Three Cities, and on the other side of the city the Sliema ferry crosses Marsamxett.
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