Floriana | Exploring Malta
Floriana, known in Maltese as Il-Furjana, is a fortified town in the South Eastern Region of Malta. It is located directly adjacent to the capital city, Valletta, and is often considered its suburb. With a population of around 2,000 inhabitants, Floriana is a small but historically significant town. It is situated on the same peninsula as Valletta, between the Grand Harbour and the Marsamxett Harbour. The town is defined by its massive fortifications, the Floriana Lines, which were built as an outer defense for the capital.
The character of Floriana is that of a grand and spacious gateway to the capital. Its identity is defined by its impressive fortifications, its large public squares, and its numerous gardens, which make it a remarkably green area in the heart of Malta’s main urban conurbation. The town is home to many important administrative buildings and historic monuments. In the modern era, the large square known as the Granaries is one of Malta’s main venues for large-scale public events, such as concerts and political gatherings. This combination of a fortified historic town and a green public space gives Floriana its specific character.
Blog Posts From our visits to Floriana
The History of Floriana
The history of Floriana is the story of a suburb that was created as a direct result of military engineering. The town was born from the construction of a massive new line of fortifications that were designed to protect the capital city of Valletta from landward attacks. For centuries, its development was shaped by its military function. The story of Floriana is one of its growth from an empty space between the fortresses into a residential garrison town under the British, and finally into a key administrative and public space for modern Malta.
The Floriana Lines
The history of Floriana began in the 17th century, during the time of the Knights of St. John. After the construction of Valletta, it became clear that the new capital was vulnerable to attack from the landward side. In 1636, Grand Master Antoine de Paule commissioned the Italian military engineer Pietro Paolo Floriani to design a new outer line of fortifications. The construction of these massive walls, which became known as the Floriana Lines, began in the same year. The fortifications were not fully completed until the 1720s.
A Garrison Town and Modern Suburb
The area between the new Floriana Lines and the original walls of Valletta began to develop as a residential suburb in the 18th century. New residential blocks were built, and large public gardens were established to create open spaces. The focus of Floriana changed when the British took control of Malta in the 19th century. The town was transformed into a garrison town, and new barracks and other military establishments were built to house the British troops. In the modern era, after Malta’s independence, Floriana has retained its importance as an administrative center and a major public space.
Sights in Floriana
Floriana is home to impressive fortifications, great views of the waterfronts, and plenty of green gardens. There is a lot to see and discover in the area that serves as the main landward entrance to the capital city of Valletta.
Pjazza San Publiju
The Pjazza San Publiju, also known as St. Publius Square, is a large public square in Floriana. It is one of the largest such open spaces in all of Malta. The area was formerly known as the Floriana Granaries, as it contains a large number of underground silos that were used to store grain for the population of the harbor area. Today, the square is used for major national events, such as public gatherings, political rallies, concerts, and festivals. It is a key public space in the country.
Porte des Bombes
The Porte des Bombes is a large, ornate gate located in Floriana. It was originally built as an outer gate of the Floriana Lines. The gate was first built in 1721. It originally had only one archway, but a second arch was added by the British in 1868 to cope with increasing traffic. Today, the connection to the main fortification line has been removed, and the two archways of the former gate stand alone in the middle of a major road.
Saint Publius Parish Church
The Saint Publius Parish Church is the main church of Floriana. The construction of this large Baroque church began in 1733, and the building was completed in 1768. The church is dedicated to Saint Publius, who was the first bishop of Malta and is the patron saint of Floriana. The church was elevated to the status of an archipresbyteral church in the 19th century. The building’s grand facade and its two bell towers are a major landmark.
The Mall
The Mall (Il-Mall) is a historic garden promenade located in Floriana. The long, straight promenade was built by Grand Master Lascaris in 1656 as a place for the Knights to relax and play games. The promenade is approximately 360 meters long and leads up to the main entrance of Valletta. It is lined with trees, fountains, and several important monuments and statues. It is one of the main green spaces in the area.
Valletta Waterfront
The Valletta Waterfront is a promenade that is actually located in Floriana, at the base of the bastion walls. The historic warehouses that line the waterfront were originally built by the Knights in the 18th century. These buildings have been restored and converted into a popular destination with numerous restaurants, bars, and shops. This is also where the main cruise ship terminal for Malta is located. The area is a hub of activity, especially when large cruise ships are in port.
Argotti Botanic Gardens
The Argotti Botanic Gardens are a large botanical garden located on top of the St. Philip’s Bastion of the Floriana Lines. The gardens have a history that goes back two centuries. They are now part of the University of Malta. While the gardens are used for research and have a large collection of plants, most visitors come to enjoy the peaceful park environment and the impressive views. From the top of the bastions, there are panoramic views over the Marsamxett Harbour and the surrounding towns.
Floriana with Kids
Floriana might not seem like the most kid-friendly area in Malta, as it is dominated by major roads with heavy traffic. However, its large green areas and public gardens are great for children. These open spaces provide a place for kids to run around and play, which can be hard to find in the more densely populated towns.
Playgrounds in Floriana
There is a large playground located in the King George V Gardens in Floriana. This provides a key recreational area for local families and for visitors to the capital city.
King George V Gardens
The King George V Gardens are located on one of the bastions overlooking the Grand Harbour. These gardens include a fairly large and modern playground with a variety of equipment. The gardens also have large open spaces for kids to play. The location on top of the high bastion walls also provides excellent views.
Sports in Floriana
The sporting life in Floriana is dominated by football. The town is home to one of Malta’s oldest and most successful football clubs. The club is a key part of the local identity and has a large and passionate following.
Football
Football is a major sport in Floriana, as it is throughout Malta. The local professional club has a fierce rivalry with the club from the neighboring capital, Valletta. This derby is one of the most important in Maltese football.
Floriana F.C.
The main football club is Floriana F.C. The club was founded in 1894, making it one of the oldest in Malta. They are one of the most successful clubs in the history of Maltese football, having won the Maltese Premier League championship over 25 times. The team is known as the “Greens” (Tal-Irish). They have a large and dedicated fanbase and a historic rivalry with Valletta F.C.
Getting Around in Floriana
Navigating Floriana is best done on foot. The town is very small and serves as the main pedestrian gateway to the capital, Valletta. It is also the main hub for the national bus network.
On Foot: The Gateway to Valletta
Walking is the best way to explore Floriana. The main sights, such as the Pjazza San Publiju, the Saint Publius Church, and the various gardens, are all within a short walking distance of each other. The walk through the Mall Garden up to the main City Gate of Valletta is a key part of the experience of visiting the capital.
Local Buses
The main public transport hub for the entire island of Malta is located at the Valletta Bus Terminal. This terminal is situated in the large square at the edge of Floriana, just outside the main gate to Valletta. From here, bus routes operated by Malta Public Transport connect to every town and village on the island. This makes Floriana the most well-connected locality in the country in terms of public transport.
How to Get to Floriana
Reaching the town of Floriana is very straightforward, as it is the immediate suburb of the capital, Valletta. It is the central point of the Maltese road and bus networks. The country’s single international airport is a short drive away.
The Open Road: Driving to Floriana
Driving to Floriana is possible from all other parts of the island, as all major roads lead towards the capital. However, be aware that the roads in the area are the most congested in the country. Parking in Floriana can be extremely difficult to find. The large public car park located on the Pjazza San Publiju is the main option for visitors. A car is generally not recommended for a visit focused on this area.
Arriving by Air: Malta International Airport
The primary and sole gateway to the country is Malta International Airport (MLA). It is located in the town of Luqa, approximately 6 kilometers from Floriana. The airport is well-connected to major cities across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. From the airport, a taxi, a ride-sharing service, or a direct public bus service (Route X4) can be used to reach Floriana and the main Valletta Bus Terminal.
Connecting by Coach
There are no major long-distance coach services in Malta due to the small size of the island. The entire country is served by the integrated national bus network operated by Malta Public Transport. The main bus terminal for the whole country is located in Floriana, just outside the city gates of Valletta. All major bus routes on the island start or end at this terminal.
On Track: The Absence of Rail
There is no train service in Malta. The country does not have a railway network. Therefore, it is not possible to reach Floriana by train. All overland travel on the island must be done by road.
An International Ferry Approach
It is possible to arrive in Malta by ferry. The main ferry terminal for international arrivals is located at the Valletta Waterfront, which is technically in Floriana. There are regular car and passenger ferry services that connect Malta with the port of Pozzallo in Sicily, Italy. The port is also the main terminal for international cruise ships.
Driving Distances
The driving distance from 10 regional cities, according to Google Maps:
- Valletta, Malta – 1 kilometer (0 h 10 min)
- Gżira, Malta – 4 kilometers (0 h 10 min)
- Paola, Malta – 4 kilometers (0 h 10 min)
- Birgu, Malta – 5 kilometers (0 h 20 min)
- Sliema, Malta – 5 kilometers (0 h 20 min)
- St. Julian’s, Malta – 6 kilometers (0 h 20 min)
- Mosta, Malta – 8 kilometers (0 h 20 min)
- Marsaxlokk, Malta – 10 kilometers (0 h 20 min)
- Mdina, Malta – 11 kilometers (0 h 20 min)
- Mellieħa, Malta – 20 kilometers (0 h 40 min)
Looking to Explore more of Malta and Europe?
This post was first published 2023-04-06 and was updated 2025-07-27
