Buskett Gardens

Buskett Gardens is a woodland park covering about 47 hectares, planted with orange groves, carob trees, white poplars, ashes, elms, and Aleppo pines located beneath Verdala Castle. Several pathways run through the space and connect it to the nearby towns of Siġġiewi and Dingli.

The gardens were established in the 16th century by the Knights Hospitaller as a hunting reserve when forests still covered much of Malta. This expansion took place as native trees were being cut down across the island for shipbuilding.

The Feast of Imnarja brings thousands of visitors on June 29 to celebrate Saints Peter and Paul with rabbit stew, folk music, and agricultural displays. This event shows how the gardens remain a place where the community keeps traditional practices alive.

The park is accessible from multiple routes leading to surrounding villages and works well for nature walks. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and allow time for longer explorations, as the terrain is hilly in places.

The site functions as an Important Bird Area and shelters the painted frog, Malta's only endemic amphibian subspecies. These rare species depend on the park's stable conditions, making it valuable for conservation.