Casa Rocca Piccola: reviews, price 2026 and practical tips

A Lived-In Palace Open to Daily Life in Valletta

Ancestor portraits gaze down at sitting rooms that still serve as actual living spaces. The 16th-century palace overlooks Republic Street, the main artery of Valletta, just a few minutes on foot from the St. John's Co-Cathedral.

This is not a museum in the classic sense: the de Piro family still calls the residence home.

Why Visit This House Museum

The palace was built for Don Pietro La Rocca, a knight of the Order of Malta. Today, it serves as the residence of the 9th Marquis de Piro and his family, who opened part of the estate to the public in 1991.

Visitors tour the state rooms on the piano nobile via guided tour or audio guide. Family portraits, silverware, period furniture, and curated collections sit side by side. Notable highlights include an 18th-century gilded sedan chair and an extensive collection of Maltese lace.

Beneath the House: Wartime Shelters

A steep staircase descends directly into the rock beneath the palace. Tunnels carved out of the stone lead to a large cavern that served as an air raid shelter during World War II.

Expect about 100 steps down. This section is not wheelchair accessible, and sturdy, closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended.

Friendly tip: if you plan on heading down into the shelters, wear closed-toe, stable shoes and keep in mind that the final entry is at 4:00 PM.

The Garden and Kiku

The walled garden is planted with orange trees. This is where Kiku, a blue-and-gold macaw, lives, keeping visitors company while they wait or pause between tour segments.

Keep your distance: he bites, so it is best not to pet him.

Staying at the Palace

The house also offers bed and breakfast rooms set within a wing of the palace.