The San Anton Gardens are the most pleasant public gardens on Malta — a formal Baroque layout of paths, parterres, fountains, and shaded benches that opens directly off the back of the palace. Mature ficus, cypress, jacaranda, and date palm provide reliable shade even at the height of summer.
Aviaries along one side house ducks, peacocks, and a small flock of pink flamingos. There is a tortoise enclosure, a pond, and a small orangery. The garden is open daily 7am to 6pm in winter, until 9pm in summer; entry is free. Concerts and craft fairs are held here through the warmer months.