Buskett Gardens

Malta's only woodland

Buskett Gardens (from Italian "boschetto", small woodland) is Malta's only wooded area. Located in a valley below Verdala Palace, near Dingli, it was planted in the 17th century by the Knights of Malta as the Grand Master's private hunting grounds. Cypress, Aleppo pine, orange, olive, and carob trees grow here.

The Mnarja festival

Every 28-29 June, Buskett hosts Mnarja (from Italian "luminaria", lights), Malta's oldest folk festival. The tradition predates the knights. Maltese spend the night under the trees, eating rabbit (fenkata) and listening to folk music (ghana). It is Malta's national picnic on a grand scale, with animal shows and horse races at Saqqajja.

An oasis of calm

In summer, when the rest of Malta feels like an oven (35+ C), Buskett offers shade and cool as the island's only wooded area. A walk between trees, listening to birdsong, is a welcome break from rocky beaches and hot towns.

Practical tip: Free entry, open year-round. Drive or bus to Dingli (then 10 minutes' walk). Combine with Dingli Cliffs and Laferla Cross. Mnarja (28-29 June) is a must-see if you are on Malta.