Pembroke: Coast, Nature and Military History

Pembroke combines a rocky coastal zone and a varied plant landscape with a history shaped by the British military presence. Nature and military history offer different perspectives on the place: here, terrain and vegetation stand alongside dated structures and memorial sites.

Coast, Landscape and Plant Life

Pembroke’s coastal zone includes a rocky beach. Another landscape feature is the Pembroke SAC: it covers about 97 hectares of land on Malta’s northern coast. Most of the area is characterised by karstic rocky terrain, with a complex mix of rocky steppe, grassland steppe and low garrigue communities. The landscape is therefore defined not only by its rocky ground; several different forms of vegetation are also part of its character.

The garrigue areas in Pembroke are among the most species-rich on the Maltese islands. About 400 plant species grow in Valley Harq Hammiem.

Hiking and Open Spaces

Pembroke also has named options for hiking enthusiasts: the Pembroke Ranges Walking Route is a hiking trail in Pembroke; Pembroke Natura 2000 is a hiking area in Pembroke. The names emphasise different things—one explicitly identifies a route, while the other describes a hiking area. This is a helpful starting point if you want to plan around a specific route or a place designated as a hiking area.

Before planning, check current trail conditions and, for Pembroke Natura 2000, access rules and facilities. Another local offering is the Pembroke picnic area, one of the playgrounds and open spaces in Pembroke. These hiking options and this open space complement the destination’s focus on nature and landscape with other named places to visit.

Military History and Buildings

Pembroke’s first barracks were built near St George’s Bay in 1859. From the 1850s until 1979, Pembroke served as a British military base.

The Pembroke Clock Tower was built in 1903 and is part of the Old Guard Room. Pembroke Battery was built between 1909 and 1912, and Australian Hall in November 1915. The dates place the buildings in chronological order: the Clock Tower was followed by the construction of the Battery and, later, Australian Hall. All three buildings date from the period when Pembroke served as a British military base.

Fort Pembroke is also part of this history. It was built on the eastern coast below and behind Fort Madliena to control the seaward approaches towards Valletta. Alongside its location, the fort’s military purpose is central to its significance. Pembroke Military Cemetery is the final resting place of 323 casualties of the First and Second World Wars. It adds a dedicated memorial site to the history of barracks and fortifications.

If you are looking for hotels in Pembroke, you can start by considering which focus should shape your trip more: the landscape, with its plants and hiking, or the military-history buildings and memorial sites. This can help you choose the destination based on the topics that interest you most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Swieqi, Żebbuġ, Nadur, Sannat, Naxxar, Marsaxlokk, Attard, Kercem

For the main travel overview: Malta.