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Buskett Gardens is Malta’s only real stretch of woodland — a shaded valley of pines, olives and citrus trees below Verdala Palace, just outside Rabat. There’s no entry fee, no crowds to speak of, and it’s one of the few places on the island where you can escape the sun entirely rather than just find a shadier bit of limestone. This guide covers what’s actually there, how to get in, and how to fold it into a day around Mdina and Dingli Cliffs.
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Contents
Buskett Gardens — Quick Facts
What Buskett Gardens Actually Is
Buskett — from the Italian “boschetto”, little wood — sits in a valley between Rabat and Siġġiewi, in the shadow of Verdala Palace, the President of Malta’s official summer residence. The gardens were planted by the Knights of St John, originally as a hunting ground, and the tree cover here is unlike anywhere else on the island: Aleppo pines, olive groves, citrus orchards and holm oaks, with paths winding down into a genuinely cool, shaded valley floor.
It isn’t manicured the way a formal garden is. Buskett is closer to a working woodland — a bit wild in places, especially deeper in the valley — which is exactly why locals treat it as a green escape rather than a tourist attraction. I’ve walked through more times than I can count, usually as a detour after Dingli Cliffs, and it rarely makes anyone’s top-of-list Malta itinerary. That’s part of the appeal.
The entrance to Buskett Gardens, where the pine cover starts almost immediately.
Things to Do at Buskett
The main draw is simply walking. Trails wind through the pine cover and down toward the valley floor, with plenty of spots to sit in the shade. It’s flat enough for most fitness levels, though some paths get uneven and root-covered further in.
The valley paths at Buskett stay noticeably cooler than anywhere else on the island.
Verdala Palace overlooks the gardens from a rise above the trees. It’s a working presidential residence and not generally open to the public, but the exterior — a squat, fortified 16th-century building designed by Girolamo Cassar — is worth the short detour up from the main path.
Verdala Palace, the President of Malta’s official summer residence, seen from above the gardens.
Buskett connects into the wider Girgenti valley, popular with local hikers on weekends. If you want to extend the walk beyond the gardens themselves, the surrounding countryside trails toward Siġġiewi offer some of the best rural scenery in Malta.
If you can, visit for L-Imnarja, Malta’s biggest traditional festival, held in and around Buskett on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Expect local food stalls, folk singing and agricultural shows — one of the most authentic cultural events on the Maltese calendar, and Buskett is transformed for the night.
The huts near the entrance where stalls and food stands are set up for L-Imnarja each June.
Getting to Buskett Gardens
Buskett sits about 15 to 20 minutes by car from Valletta and roughly 8 to 10 minutes from Mdina and Rabat, making it an easy add-on to a day exploring the Silent City. From Sliema, expect around 20 to 25 minutes, and it’s about 15 minutes from Malta International Airport if you’re heading there straight off a flight. Public buses run from Valletta and Rabat, though a car or taxi gives you far more flexibility — especially if you’re combining Buskett with Dingli Cliffs, which sit just a short drive further along the same ridge.
Planning Your Visit
Tours & Experiences Nearby
NearbyPair It With Nearby Sights
Buskett rarely works as a standalone trip. Most visitors fold it into a day that starts in Mdina or Rabat and continues out to Dingli Cliffs, one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the island. Verdala Palace and the surrounding countryside walks make Buskett a natural midpoint stop, especially if you want a shaded break before or after time in the sun.
Before or after Buskett, check our full Mdina & Rabat guide for what else is worth seeing in the Silent City, and see where to stay in Malta if you’re basing yourself nearby.
Is Buskett Gardens free to visit?
Yes. Buskett Gardens has no entry fee and is open dawn to dusk year-round.
How far is Buskett Gardens from Valletta?
About 13 kilometres, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car. It’s around 8 to 10 minutes from Mdina and Rabat, and about 15 minutes from Malta International Airport.
Can you go inside Verdala Palace?
No. Verdala Palace is a working presidential residence and isn’t generally open to the public, but the 16th-century exterior is visible and worth the short detour from the main path.
What is L-Imnarja and when does it happen?
L-Imnarja is Malta’s biggest traditional festival, held in and around Buskett Gardens in late June on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. It features local food stalls, folk singing and agricultural shows.
Do you need a car to visit Buskett Gardens?
Public buses run from Valletta and Rabat, but a car or taxi gives far more flexibility, especially if you’re combining Buskett with Dingli Cliffs or the Girgenti countryside walks.
What should I bring to Buskett Gardens?
Water and comfortable shoes. There’s no visitor centre or facilities on site, and some paths further into the valley are uneven and root-covered.