The cave contains the remains of dwarf hippopotami and elephants that became trapped on Malta when the island was still connected to mainland Europe.
The sediment layers in the cave provide a clear timeline of Malta’s climatic history over the last half-million years.
It is the only site in Malta where evidence of the earliest human settlers, the Ghar Dalam phase people, was discovered.
The museum preserves its 19th-century educational presentation style, keeping the original display cabinets intact.
The cave remains a significant site for ongoing paleontological and archaeological research in the Mediterranean.
During World War II, the cave served as an air-raid shelter for the local population of Birżebbuġa.
The site was officially declared a protected area due to its international significance for paleontology.
Għar Dalam is Malta's oldest prehistoric site, featuring a cavern that serves as a chronological record of the island's geological and biological evolution. The cave is divided into six distinct layers, with the oldest dating back approximately 500,000 years. It is most famous for its rich deposits of Pleistocene-era animal bones, including extinct dwarf elephants, hippopotami, and giant dormice. The site includes a Victorian-style museum that displays these fossilized remains in original wooden glass cases. Visitors can walk through the first 50 meters of the 144-meter-long cave to observe the stratigraphic layers firsthand. The cave also served as a shelter for early humans and was used as a storage area during World War II. The surrounding area features a garden planted with indigenous Maltese flora.
The entrance of the cave where the contrast between the lush greenery and the dark, yawning cavern mouth is most striking.
Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear as the cave path can be damp and uneven.
Bring a light jacket as the cave temperature remains significantly lower than the outside heat regardless of the season.
Allow time to walk through the small indigenous garden located outside the cave entrance.
Do not expect a massive subterranean cavern tour; the accessible area for the public is limited to the first 50 meters.
Open daily throughout the year, but may have adjusted hours on public holidays.
Do not touch the cave walls or fossil displays; remain on the designated path at all times.
