Tarxien Temples

The Tarxien Temples (the Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex) sit among the houses of Tarxien, a few minutes from the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. A farmer, Lorenzo Despott, came across the site in 1913, and Sir Themistocles Zammit, then Director of Museums, led excavations between 1915 and 1919. The complex is one of the component sites of the Megalithic Temples of Malta on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

There are four megalithic structures here, built in the late Neolithic. The easternmost is the oldest, with only the lower walls left but its concave facade and five chambers still traceable. The South structure is the richest in prehistoric art, with bas-relief spirals and domestic animals including goats, bulls, pigs and a ram. The six-chambered Central structure, the last to be built, shows evidence of corbelled roofing, which helps you picture the buildings covered. Hearths in the corridors point to the use of fire inside.

Bronze Age reuse

After about 2000 BC, newcomers to the islands turned parts of the site into a cremation cemetery, leaving a separate layer of finds. The most vulnerable discoveries, including the colossal statue of a figure in a pleated skirt, are kept in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta for conservation.

Hours and tickets (as of November 2026)

• As of November 2026, check Heritage Malta's current timetable before visiting. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing; holiday closures also apply.
• Tickets are EUR 6 for adults, EUR 4.50 for youths, seniors and students, EUR 3 for children (6 to 11), with infants free.
• Show a Hypogeum ticket at the Tarxien ticket office for 50 percent off, when buying at the door.

A dedicated walkway makes the complex fully wheelchair accessible, unusual for a prehistoric site. Audio guides are available in ten languages. Visit after the Hypogeum, and if you want to see more temples, continue south to Hagar Qim and Mnajdra on the coast.