Buskett Gardens
Buskett Gardens
3.5
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Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
64 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
24
Average
13
Poor
10
Terrible
5
bwanaalan
Salisbury, UK264 contributions
Feb 2020
We entered at the bottom, wandered upward and, almost by accident, discovered a way to get out at the top (where we found the main entrance locked). So in mid-February it was all a bit mysterious, but interesting and full of birdsong too. There are some pleasant spots for a picnic.
Right now one feels that nature is rapidly taking over, but it’s all very charming, and there’s a project to renovate the gardens. Lists of prohibitions abound, and a bit more information about what one CAN do would be helpful. Simple signs showing how to get in and out, and one or two suggested routes, come to mind.
In mid-summer the gardens must be a wonderful shady haven from the heat. Let’s hope that the Buskett Gardens can be brought back to their full glory.
Right now one feels that nature is rapidly taking over, but it’s all very charming, and there’s a project to renovate the gardens. Lists of prohibitions abound, and a bit more information about what one CAN do would be helpful. Simple signs showing how to get in and out, and one or two suggested routes, come to mind.
In mid-summer the gardens must be a wonderful shady haven from the heat. Let’s hope that the Buskett Gardens can be brought back to their full glory.
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris2006
London278 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
the drivers of the public buses 181 and 56 refuse to stop there. There is a bus stop no. 2222 which they are supposed to service. But today we got well caught out as the timetabled buses simply failed to stop there to take us home.
We had walked to the Gardens from the Dinglis Cliffs and the (expensive) Cliffs Restaurant along a small lane which was quiet, with wild flowers along the verges. The famed pre-historic cart racks were nowhere in sight but there was a huge quarry where they could have been. Yet another example of Malta's heritage being destroyed in the name of progress?
We found the entrance to the Gardens OK, but there seemed to be an air of decay to the whole area. We didn't find anyone actually working there, and no w.c., no cafeteria, no info. kiosk. There were also too many oranges rotting on the ground. But we did see a few sparrows, and a single red robin. But like the rest of Malta there didn't seem to be any birdlife or any wildlife unless you counted a few screaming kids running around.
After an hour we left, but initially we failed to find a bus stop back to town until we stumbled on the Buskett no. 2222 stop. This was clearly displayed for the 181 and 56 buses back to Rabat. But we waited an waited and nothing turned up.Then we saw a 181 bus come down the hill and do a 360 turn and drive away again. We later found out that the drivers deliberately do not stop at the Gardens. How do they get away with that? But we have also experienced bus drivers refusing to stop at the Taxien Temples so we were not surprised - they do seem to be a law unto themselves. So we then started to walk up the main road and found another bus stop no. 2221. Luckily the next 56 did stop at that, but then we noticed that the driver of that also failed to stop at no. 2222 for the Gardens.
So be warned the drivers of the buses refuse to stop at the Gardens. And the only way back could be to walk back to the Cliffs and catch a more reliable 102 to the Airport.
We had walked to the Gardens from the Dinglis Cliffs and the (expensive) Cliffs Restaurant along a small lane which was quiet, with wild flowers along the verges. The famed pre-historic cart racks were nowhere in sight but there was a huge quarry where they could have been. Yet another example of Malta's heritage being destroyed in the name of progress?
We found the entrance to the Gardens OK, but there seemed to be an air of decay to the whole area. We didn't find anyone actually working there, and no w.c., no cafeteria, no info. kiosk. There were also too many oranges rotting on the ground. But we did see a few sparrows, and a single red robin. But like the rest of Malta there didn't seem to be any birdlife or any wildlife unless you counted a few screaming kids running around.
After an hour we left, but initially we failed to find a bus stop back to town until we stumbled on the Buskett no. 2222 stop. This was clearly displayed for the 181 and 56 buses back to Rabat. But we waited an waited and nothing turned up.Then we saw a 181 bus come down the hill and do a 360 turn and drive away again. We later found out that the drivers deliberately do not stop at the Gardens. How do they get away with that? But we have also experienced bus drivers refusing to stop at the Taxien Temples so we were not surprised - they do seem to be a law unto themselves. So we then started to walk up the main road and found another bus stop no. 2221. Luckily the next 56 did stop at that, but then we noticed that the driver of that also failed to stop at no. 2222 for the Gardens.
So be warned the drivers of the buses refuse to stop at the Gardens. And the only way back could be to walk back to the Cliffs and catch a more reliable 102 to the Airport.
Written March 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana L
Navan, Ireland2,682 contributions
Nov 2020
Part of the gardens were under reconstruction. It was more like a park, and not what you would think as english gardens. Not the whole area is accessible to public.
Written December 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MARGOT W
Okehampton, UK424 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Whether you view this venue as Gardens or Woodlands, I found it hard to consider it as either really. Maybe I’m spoilt living in Devon, but there honestly weren’t very many trees and barely a flower or plant in sight.
Some signs would have been helpful. I was hoping there would be some marked trails, but the area is in reality rather too small to merit trails plural.
Overall, extremely disappointing and not worth the taxi fare there and back. I do not recommend this.
Some signs would have been helpful. I was hoping there would be some marked trails, but the area is in reality rather too small to merit trails plural.
Overall, extremely disappointing and not worth the taxi fare there and back. I do not recommend this.
Written March 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shell A
16 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Terrible to find. No signs anywhere. Literally stumbled across it. No facilities and we were dying for a cup of tea... Gardens a little bare but summer is not the best time of year...
Written July 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane N
Cardiff, UK45 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
Buskett Gardens is like great secret which noone really wants you to visit. Bus drivwrs seem particularly irritated when, as they turn off the ignition at Dingli cliffs, tourists start asking how do we get to Buskett? Waving maps around. The buses no. 52 and 56 are supposed to go there from Rabat. But apparently they only pass by the gardens on their way back, ie as an afterthought. First, they have a half hour break at Dingli. This was our second attempt to get to the gardens. To pass the half hour we walked up to the cliffs. A group of elderly tourists on the same bus wandered off into dingli town. Half an hour later we were back on the bus, and in five minutes we got off at the Buskett stop. There was no sign, till we spotted one where the writing had either faded in the sun or was written in secret watermark kind of ink. We walked in, and followed the group of elderly tourists through a small gate. The oranges looked lovely. We came to a locked gate. Some people turned back. The elderly folk climbed over the wall, and we followed. They wandered right, we turned left towards a building with loud voices. It was a group of workmen, maybe on a break. They directed us to a restaurant, the chateu Buskett which is apparently a events venue. We had a lovely cappuccino and made use of the much needed restrooms. Buskett gardens is lovely but there is a dire lack of signage, information or anything that would mark it out as a tourist destination. On our way back we found the public toilets and discovered the main entrance which would have saved us having to climb over a wall...
Written January 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GlobalTraveller1971
Ireland29 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
Can be accessed by public transport from Valletta and Rabat without getting off the bus. Go to Dingli on 51 or 181, This is the end of the line but after 15 minutes or so the buses return to Rabat and Valetta via Buskett Gardens. I didnt see a sign at the entrance. Clapham Junction cart ruts are a shortish walk away and can be accessed by public transport at the bus stop before Buskett Gardens.
As for the gardens though, a great woodland resource which is few and far between in Malta. Buskett Gardens are somwhere between a formal and informal space but irrespective is badly in need of maintenance and upgrading for visitors. They are currently upgrading the walls and embankments with EU grant monies. Signage, path maintenance, interpretation, repair of buildings, general care and attention and visitor facilities are all needed to stop it falling in to further disrepair and also enhance visitor experience.
As for the gardens though, a great woodland resource which is few and far between in Malta. Buskett Gardens are somwhere between a formal and informal space but irrespective is badly in need of maintenance and upgrading for visitors. They are currently upgrading the walls and embankments with EU grant monies. Signage, path maintenance, interpretation, repair of buildings, general care and attention and visitor facilities are all needed to stop it falling in to further disrepair and also enhance visitor experience.
Written January 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan C
United Kingdom37 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
The gardens were fascinating. Mature trees of many different sorts and also orange groves and interesting systems of irrigation and water conservation. There is very little water on Malta and this was a place that sometimes felt a bit damp in the shade with was very welcome. Lovely old ruins and walls dotted about. It should be very beautiful, but I was shocked by the amount of litter and rubbish all over. Round every corner there were heaps of old paper, wrappers, cans and bottles. I couldn't understand why people had dumped so much stuff there, or why it hadn't been picked up. I felt an overwhelming urge to start tidying it up! A wonderful visit but shocked by the rubbish.
Written May 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phillip L
Melbourne, Australia364 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Gardens? No. Woodland? Probably. Having seen it for 10 minutes, I can't recommend it to anyone. If you like a collection of trees, it's all yours.
Written October 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LidsDurham
County Durham, UK818 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Loved it here. So beautiful, full of history, the oldest oak tree on Malta, lots of indigenous trees and plants. Beautiful forested park and gardens, lots of history behind the planting, indigenous species and saw the ancient irrigation system. Definitely worth a guided tour.
Written June 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Virginia S
Roanoke, Virginia
Is access to the Buskett Gardens closed at any particular hour? I.e., would it possible to picnic there in May at suppertime -- 18:00, 19:00, or thereabouts?
Written April 18, 2017
I am reasonably sure that Buskett Gardens are open 24 hours a day.
By the Car Park area, there is a roofed area with picnic tables. However it is probably better to move a bit away from the parking and explore other parts of the Gardens. When we were there (in January) there were path and wall refurbishments going on.
Written April 19, 2017
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