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Old Railway Station

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Historical site

Weather…

The Old Railway Station in Birkirkara is a significant industrial heritage site that commemorates the brief era of the Maltese railway. The railway line operated from 1883 to 1931, connecting the capital city of Valletta with the former capital, Mdina. Birkirkara was one of the most important stops on this route, featuring a distinctive station building constructed from local limestone. After the railway service was discontinued, the site fell into disrepair but was later restored and converted into a public garden. Today, the renovated station building houses a small museum and the local council offices. A major highlight is an original third-class railway carriage, meticulously restored and displayed on a section of tracks within the garden. This site provides visitors a rare opportunity to learn about the only rail transport system in Malta's history and to enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of the turn of the century.

Location: Malta
Top sights: Parish Church of Saint Helen · Madonna tal-Ħerba · Birkirkara Old Train Station
Nearby: Sliema (4 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	15	14	15	16	19	23	26	27	25	23	20	16
Rain mm	74	65	51	33	17	11	4	10	63	82	95	82

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The old railway station now serves as a public park, free and open at all times. You can explore the outdoor area and the preserved platforms; the station building interior is usually not accessible.

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Typical hours

As it is a public park, there are no set opening hours. The surrounding paths are walkable during daytime but are unlit at night.

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Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the park and on the platforms. Avoid disturbing other visitors and do not use flash when taking close-ups of the track remnants.

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Time needed

A walk through the park and along the preserved platforms takes about 20 to 30 minutes. For railway history enthusiasts, allow up to an hour.

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Combine with

Visit the nearby Malta Railway Museum in Birkirkara for deeper history. The town centre of Birkirkara with shops and cafes is just a few minutes' walk away.

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Getting there

The park is located centrally in Birkirkara, a short walk from the 'Birkirkara' bus stop. Limited street parking is available in the surrounding area.

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Insider tip

Combine your visit with a walk along the old railway track, now a green corridor. Bring water as there are no drink stands on site.

Geography

Coordinates

35.89860, 14.46250

Facts

The Malta Railway was officially opened on February 28, 1883.
The railway service permanently closed on March 31, 1931.
The total length of the railway line was approximately 11 kilometers.
Birkirkara station was one of the eight main stops on the Valletta-Mdina line.
A restored third-class carriage is permanently displayed in the station garden.
The station building currently serves as the Birkirkara Local Council office.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

St. Helen's Basilica<1 km · SWExplore →

Farsons Brewery2 km · SEExplore →

Farmer's Deli Bistro2 km · NWExplore →

Mensija Sanctuary2 km · NEExplore →

Ta' l-Agħara Hill2 km · SExplore →

Petting Farm Ta' Qali2 km · WExplore →

Msida Parish Church2 km · EExplore →

MaltaPost Head Office3 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Old Railway Station (10)

Parish Church of Saint Helen

The parish church of Birkirkara, Malta, dedicated to Saint Helen.

Madonna tal-Ħerba

Marian shrine in Birkirkara, Malta, a significant pilgrimage site.

Birkirkara Old Train Station🏛 museum

Former railway station in Malta, now a museum on transport history.

🕒 Tu 09:30-15:30; We 16:00-19:30; Th-Mo off🆓

Saint Mary's Parish Church

Church in Birkirkara, Malta, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Baby Jesus Museum🏛 museum

Museum displaying nativity scenes and depictions of the infant Jesus.

The Shipwreck

Attraction themed around a shipwreck.

Gabriel Caruana Foundation

Foundation and gallery of Maltese artist Gabriel Caruana.

Ta' Raddiena Megalithic Wall

Remains of a prehistoric megalithic wall in Birkirkara.

Rosa Kwir

Contemporary art gallery in Birkirkara.

Wignacourt Aqueduct

17th-century aqueduct in Malta, built under Grand Master Wignacourt.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is in the old Birkirkara railway station today?

The area has been converted into a public park, where an old railway carriage is on display.

When was the railway line operational?

The Malta Railway operated between 1883 and 1931, running from Valletta to Mdina.

Is the park around the station free?

Yes, access to the garden and viewing the carriage is free for the public.

Are there toilets or a cafe there?

There are basic public facilities and benches, with cafes located nearby.

Is the station worth visiting for history buffs?

Yes, it is one of the few remaining monuments of Malta's railway history.

Old Railway Station: where is it located?

Old Railway Station is located in Malta.

Old Railway Station: what is there to see?

Highlights include Parish Church of Saint Helen, Madonna tal-Ħerba, Birkirkara Old Train Station.

Old Railway Station: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jul.

Old Railway Station: why is it worth visiting?

The Old Railway Station in Birkirkara is a significant industrial heritage site that commemorates the brief era of the Maltese railway.

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