Accommodation near Valletta — inside the Cottonera walls
Magdalena is located in the Cottonera — the collective name for the towns of Birgu and Bormla, enclosed within two lines of fortifications: the Santa Margherita Lines and the Cottonera Lines. Both were erected in the 17th and 18th centuries by the Knights of the Order of St John. They are among the most complete military fortifications in Europe, and you can walk their full circuit.
Bormla — previously “Bur Mula” meaning “the higher land” — overlooks Dockyard Creek, one of the four creeks of Malta’s Grand Harbour. In 1722, Grand Master Marc Antonio Zondadari awarded Bormla city status, renaming it Città Cospicua — “the Conspicuous City.” Population today: around 6,000. Archaeological evidence suggests the area has been inhabited for at least 3,000 years. Choosing accommodation near Valletta Malta in the Three Cities means staying where Malta’s history is most tangible.
From the 16th to 18th centuries, the Knights Hospitaller’s naval and military activities drew thousands of labourers and traders. Malta’s first dockyard was established in Galley Creek in 1776. The British Royal Navy later made the Grand Harbour the headquarters of their Mediterranean Fleet — which is why many street names in Bormla are English: Scottish Alley, Irish Street, Hanover Street. The local band club and football team are both named St George’s.
Triq Il-Gendus and the Bonnici Market
Magdalena sits on the corner of St George Street and Triq Il-Gendus. During the British era, live bulls were imported by ship, arriving at Bull Nose Wharf in Galley Creek and herded up this street to fields above the town — giving the street its English name, Bull Street.
A flight of steps at the corner leads up to the Bonnici Market, relocated here in 1860 when Bormla’s original waterfront market was demolished to extend Dock 1. Before that, it was a British military parade ground. The market has been filmed in several productions, including Blood on the Crown (2021), directed by Davide Ferrario and starring Harvey Keitel and Malcolm McDowell.
Find Us
48 Triq Il-Gendus, Bormla (Cospicua), Malta
Walks, sights & getting around
The Three Cities — on foot
- Shoreline walk: Fort St Michael (Senglea) to Kalkara Creek
- Birgu Old Town — Collachio, Inquisitors’ Palace, St Laurence Church
- Fort St Angelo
- Church of the Immaculate Conception, Bormla
- Senglea: the Nativity Church and Gardjola bastions
Valletta & beyond
Valletta — ferry from Dockyard Creek, 5 min. vallettaferryservices.com. St John’s Co-Cathedral (Caravaggio masterpieces), the Grand Master’s Palace, Fort St Elmo.
- Mdina and Rabat (the Silent City)
- Hagar Qim & Tarxien Temples
- Blue Grotto & Dingli Cliffs
- Hal Saflieni Hypogeum
- Marsaxlokk Sunday Market
Getting here
Address:
48 Triq Il-Gendus
Bormla (Cospicua), BML1022, Malta
Parking: Free public parking at the square directly in front of the house.
From the airport: ~15 minutes by taxi or car. Bus routes serve Bormla via Valletta. Need directions? Ask us.
Gozo & Comino: Ferry to Valletta, then Gozo ferry (gozohighspeed.com). From Gozo, boat to Comino and the Blue Lagoon.
Getting to Valletta from your Three Cities Malta holiday base
Valletta is closer than you think. From Magdalena it is a two-minute walk to the Cospicua ferry terminal, where the Valletta Ferry Service crosses the Grand Harbour in around ten minutes. Ferries run regularly throughout the day, making it easy to explore Valletta’s baroque palaces, the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens, St John’s Co-Cathedral, and the bustling street life of Republic Street — and be back in time for a quiet evening in Bormla.
For something truly memorable, cross by dgħajsa — the traditional Maltese harbour boat, hand-painted in vivid colours and rowed by skilled boatmen. The dgħajsa has carried passengers across the Grand Harbour for hundreds of years and remains one of Malta’s most authentic experiences.
Valletta was European Capital of Culture in 2018 and is consistently ranked among Europe’s finest small capitals. Staying in Bormla puts you within arm’s reach of all of it, without the noise and tourist crowds of the city centre. Read what our guests say about staying here, or check availability to book your Three Cities Malta holiday.
To eat, to browse, to wander
Where to eat
- Enchante — Juan B. Azzopardi Street, Senglea
- Terrone — Fort St Angelo, Birgu
- Don Berto — Birgu Waterfront
- Birgi — St Laurence Street, Birgu. Coffee and pastries.
- Café Riche — P. Boffa Street, Birgu. Also home to the Sunset Cinema Society.
Markets
Tuesday Street Market — 06:00–12:00 beneath the city walls. Malta’s largest open market, 700 metres of stalls. Start from Café Riche to Sultan’s Gate.
Sunday Flea Market — Birgu’s Old Fortini Football Ground, 05:00–12:00. Curios, collectibles, car boot sales.
Stay in the middle of it all
Book your Bormla Malta accommodation directly with us for the best rate. No platform fees. Confirmed within 24 hours.