Hal Saflieni Hypogeum

The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is a subterranean structure excavated c. 2500 BC. Thought to have been built as a sanctuary, it became a necropolis in prehistoric times. It is the only prehistoric underground temple in the world. To ensure its conservation, the site’s microclimate is strictly regulated. For this reason, the site is open to a maximum of 80 visitors each day. Each tour is limited to ten visitors. A tour of the site starts with a brief introductory exhibition and multilingual audio-visual film focusing on the temple building peoples and the Hypogeum’s relationship to Malta’s temple sites. Booking in advance on the Heritage Malta website is strongly advised. If unable to book in advance, tickets for tours the next day at 12:00 and 16:00 are sold at the Valletta Museum of Fine Arts the day prior. They are sold at a first come, first serve basis. Depending on the season, lining up prior to the opening of the museum is a necessity for purchasing tickets. Plan on lining up anywhere from half an hour to an hour and a half in advance to ensure ticket purchases.

• museum

Address

Triq Ic Cimiterju, Paola

Getting there

reachable by any bus route to Paola (e.g. Route 1,2,3) and a short walk from the bus stops

Hours

Eight tours are conducted daily, starting on the hour from 09:00 till 16:00 (last tour)

Price

€35 in advance (€20 for seniors 60+), €50 for "last minute" tickets, if available

Website

heritagemalta.org (opens in a new tab)