Pietà, or Tal-Pietà in Maltese, is a small seaside town along the shores of Marsamxett Harbour, just a stone’s throw away from the capital Valletta. This is the Central Region of Malta, a large urban area stretching out from the capital.
Even though many Maltese have Pietà as their place of birth, the town only has a population of around 4.900 inhabitants. It did earlier house the main general hospital of Malta, the Saint Luke’s Hospital. It is not only the hospital that has left Pietà, this was earlier also the home of the British Queen Elizabeth II for a few years when she was only known as a princess.
Our blog posts about Pietà:
Our Opinion of Pietà
The name Pietà comes from the Italian word for “pity”. Yes, it might have a more religious and different meaning, but it is a pity to see the shape of Pietà when walking along the waterfront of Marsamxett Harbour.
While Valletta and Floriana have their impressive fortifications, Sliema and Gżira their modern commercial silhouettes, and Ta’ Xbiex its embassies, and Msida its yachts, there is just something wrong with Pietà. The facades of the buildings are crumbling and the waterfront promenade is eaten up by traffic signs. Its location must provide amazing opportunities and the old facades with their Maltese balconies a missed sight in the other towns around the bay. It could be really beautiful, but there is little to attract anyone today.
The History of Pietà
The first known settlement of Pietà dates back to the Great Siege of 1565. This was when this was home to one of the camps of the Ottoman army. This Ottoman settlement was later replaced by a Maltese, as people looked for housing close to the capital Valletta.
The hill, known as Guardamangia, looking out over the headland that is Pietà, was developed in the 1920s. It was here that the British built the main hospital for the island in the 1930s and it would also be here that Princess Elisabeth of Great Britain and Prince Philip had their home between 1949 and 1951.
Sights in Pietà
Pietà is a part of the larger urban area around the capital Valletta. This means that there are a lot of sights in the surrounding area, but there are also a few sights to discover in Pietà.
Pietà Waterfront
Pietà Waterfront offers a narrow promenade with a beautiful view of the Marsamxett Harbour on one side and heavy traffic on the other. A glance at the buildings will offer the sight of some of the traditional Maltese balconies known as Gallarijas. It will be a sad sight with many of the buildings being in a bad state, but it is one of few places along this coast where the balconies have not been replaced by multistory hotel and office complexes.
Saint Luke’s Hospital
Saint Luke’s Hospital stands as a large stone building watching out over Pietà and the Marsamxett Harbour. The construction of Saint Luke’s Hospital began in 1930. It was the main general hospital in Malta until the completion of Mater Dei in Msida. Saint Luke’s Hospital was closed in 2007.
Ta’ Braxia Cemetery
On the border between Pietà and neighboring Hamrun is a large cemetery intended for British servicemen. Construction began in 1855 and it was opened two years later. At the time of opening, it also included an older Jewish cemetery that had been established in the first half of the 19th century. The cemetery gained its own memorial chapel in the 1890s. The whole cemetery is today a Commonwealth Landmark Site.
Villa Guardamangia
Villa Guardamangia is a residential townhouse with an impressive history. It is believed that it was built in the mid-19th century and a century later it would house its most famous resident. Princess Elisabeth of Great Britain lived in Malta between 1949 and 1951 and this was her home during those years. She lived in Malta with Prince Philip as he served as a Royal Navy officer and was stationed in Malta. Princess Elisabeth would in 1953 become Queen Elisabeth II and serve as the queen of the United Kingdom and the other countries of the Commonwealth until her death in 2022.
Pietà Hotspurs F.C.
Pietà Hotspurs F.C. is the local football club that was founded in 1968. They are currently as of the 2022/23 season playing in the Maltese Premier League, the first-tier league of Malta. The team won the promotion from the second-tier league the last season. The team has played in the Premier League before, making their first season in the top league in 1994-95.
Pietà Activities
Pietà is in the busiest part of Malta, so expect something to be going on at all times of the year. Much of this might not happen within the borders of Pietà, but as a visitor, those borders are barely visible as you make your way around this urban area around the capital.
Beaches in Pietà
There are not many good swimming spots in Pietà. Instead, you will have to continue around the bay to find somewhere to swim. The bay might not have the traditional large sandy beaches, but there are plenty of cliffs more fitting for swimming.
Pietà Hiking
Hiking in Pietà will take you through plenty of urban areas. It will be quite a walk before you reach the more rural areas of Malta. That doesn’t mean that you will not have great views to enjoy. The waterfront around the Marsamxett Harbour offers great hiking possibilities.
Toward Msida and Saint Julian’s
If you walk to the west you will soon enter the town of Msida and be on your way toward Sliema. On your way, you will pass by the embassies in Ta’ Xbiex and the Manoel Island in Gżira. Once in Sliema, you can choose to continue with the ferry to Valletta or walk towards Saint Julian’s. From Saint Julian’s you can continue westward via Pembroke to reach the more rural areas of Malta.
Toward Floriana and Valletta
If you instead walk to the east you will soon enter Floriana and be on your way to the capital Valletta. In Valletta, you can opt to take the ferry to Sliema to be able to create a look around the Marsamxett Harbour or you can take a ferry to the Three Cities to extend your walk along the coast toward Marsaskala.
Shopping in Pietà
As with many of the smaller communities in Malta, shopping in Pietà is limited to a few small stores. The shopping streets of Sliema and Valletta are, however, not far away.
Excursions from Pietà
It is not far from Pietà to the main bus hub in Valletta. From there it is possible to reach most of Malta by public transport, meaning that the number of possible excursions is almost limitless to your fantasy.
Birżebbuġa
Birżebbuġa is a town in the southeastern part of Malta. It is not only the home of the large Malta Freeport, but it is also the home of a few historical sites. You will mainly find two interesting archaeological sites here, Għar Dalam and Borġ in-Nadur. This is also a popular summer resort for the local Maltese.
From our visit:
Gozo
Gozo is the second-largest island in Malta and is considered to have its own culture without the stress of the main island. It is reachable by possible day trips from nearby Sliema. The main city, Victoria, is located at the center of the island and is home to the impressive Cittadella.
From our visit:
Marsaskala
Marsaskala is another coastal resort town in the eastern part of Malta. This former fishing village has grown into a resort town with beaches, playgrounds, and plenty of cafés and restaurants.
From our visits:
- Marsaskala – Exploring Malta
- Malta Highlights – November 2021
- Marsaskala, Malta – Sant’Antnin Family Park
- Marsaskala, Malta – Exploring the Playgrounds
- Marsaskala, Malta – A December Visit
- Marsaskala, Malta – Arrival and First Visit to the Playground
Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk is an old fishing village famous for its traditional colorful boats and the daily market. This is one of the main tourist attractions in the eastern part of Malta. The colorful fishing boats, known as Luzzu, are an addition to the Maltese culture dating back to the early 12th century.
From our visits:
Mdina
Mdina is the former capital of Malta and is today a small fortified town. It is one of the most impressive sights on the island and is just a short bus ride away from Pietà. Mdina is also neighboring the town of Rabat, a town that is possible to combine in the same visit.
From our visits:
- Mdina – Exploring Malta
- Mdina, Malta – Exploring the Old Capital of Malta
- Blue Grotto, Malta – A Hike to Dingli Cliffs and Mdina
Saint Julian’s
Saint Julian’s is one of the towns nearby and the main tourist resort in Malta. This is where many of the hotels are located and it is popular for its restaurants and shopping. It is also the home of Paceville, an area that is both loved and hated for its many bars and nightclubs.
Sliema
Sliema is within easy reach with only a short walk required. This is one of the busier towns in Malta and a modern commercial center. For anyone looking for shopping or other urban activities, then Sliema is usually among the options on the island. Together with Saint Julian’s, Sliema makes up one of the main tourist resorts in Malta.
From our visits:
- Sliema – Exploring Malta
- Sliema, Malta – Playgrounds and City Life
- Sliema, Malta – Finding More Playgrounds
The Three Cities – Birgu, Cospicua, and Senglea
The Three Cities of Birgu, Cospicua, and Senglea are famous for their fortifications and marinas. This is where you will find Fort St Angelo and several places to view the marina, the Grand Harbor, and Valletta itself. It is easy to reach by crossing the two bays with the public ferries.
From our visits:
- Birgu (Vittoriosa) – Exploring Malta
- Cospicua (Bormla) – Exploring Malta
- Senglea (Isla) – Exploring Malta
- Marsaskala, Malta – A Hike to Senglea
- Birgu, Malta – The Three Cities
Valletta
Valletta, the capital of Malta, is one of the places that most people visiting the country will try to see at least once. Its high walls and other fortifications make it an impressive sight and the view of the sea is never far away. The capital is just a short walk through Floriana away.
From our visits:
- Valletta – Exploring Malta
- Valletta, Malta – A Carnival in Town
- Valletta, Malta – A Kid Re-discovers the Island
- Valletta, Malta – Sunshine in the Capital
- Valletta, Malta – Christmas in the Capital
Pietà with a Kid
Pietà might not be the first consideration when traveling with kids and with the traffic and limited pedestrian zones, it is understandable. Finding good spots for kids is hard all around the bay and even in Valletta. Playgrounds are limited, with one of the larger ones to be found in Sliema.
Read more about Malta with kids:
Playgrounds in Pietà
Next to the border with Hamrun is a smaller playground for kids. It is a fenced area, separating the kids from the traffic of the roads going next to it.
There are more towns and villages to discover. Join us in Exploring Malta >>
