Kalkara

Where is Kalkara?

Kalkara lies on the Grand Harbour around Kalkara Creek, east of Birgu and the Three Cities, bordering Żabbar and the Rinella area. It belongs to the Southern Harbour District and faces Valletta and the harbour mouth.

History of Kalkara

Kalkara grew around its creek as a harbour settlement linked to the dockyard and naval activity. Fort Rinella, built by the British in the 1880s, houses one of the surviving Armstrong 100-ton guns, among the largest muzzle-loading guns ever made. The Bighi promontory held the former Royal Naval Hospital; the historic Bighi complex has been repurposed for cultural and scientific use. The area saw heavy military use under British rule.

What to see in Kalkara

Fort Rinella — a 19th-century British fort housing an Armstrong 100-ton gun. Bighi — the former Royal Naval Hospital promontory, now repurposed for cultural/scientific use. Kalkara Creek waterfront — a harbour-side promenade with fishing boats.

Transport in Kalkara

Kalkara is served by Malta Public Transport bus routes connecting it to the Three Cities and Valletta; the Three Cities ferry is nearby in Birgu/Cospicua. Local movement is by bus, car or on foot.

Living in Kalkara

Kalkara is a harbour-side town with a creek, military heritage sites and proximity to the Three Cities. Assessments of cost of living and housing should be based on current local data rather than general impressions.

Official name

Kalkara

Island

Malta

District

Southern Harbour District

Landmark

Fort Rinella; Bighi; Kalkara Creek

Transport

Bus routes; near Three Cities ferry