At a glance
- Best for
- Medieval streets, catacombs, views and photography
- Airport
- Malta International Airport (MLA), about twenty five minutes by road
- Time needed
- One full day
- Best season
- Year round; late afternoon and evening are magical
- Getting around
- Walking, with buses from Valletta and Sliema
- Good base for
- Dingli Cliffs, Mosta, the San Anton Gardens and the west
Why go
Mdina has been a fortified town for around three thousand years, under Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and Normans. Its narrow, twisting lanes, noble palaces and views across the whole island feel very different from coastal Malta. Rabat brings it back to everyday life, with markets, bakeries and some of the island's most important early Christian sites.
Top things to do in Mdina
Enter through the **Mdina Gate**, the baroque main gate, and simply wander. **St Paul's Cathedral**, rebuilt after an earthquake in 1693, dominates the main square, and the **Cathedral Museum** nearby holds a fine collection including prints by Dürer. **Palazzo Falson** is a medieval house museum full of the collections of its last owner. The **Bastion Square** walls give a view over the plains to the sea.
Mdina is busiest from late morning to mid afternoon. Come early, or stay for late afternoon and evening, when the light turns the stone gold and the streets empty. **Fontanella Tea Garden**, on the bastions, is famous for its cakes and view.
Top things to do in Rabat
**St Paul's Catacombs** and **St Agatha's Catacombs** are a maze of underground Roman and early Christian burial chambers, cool on a hot day. **St Paul's Grotto**, under the parish church, is where tradition says the apostle stayed after his shipwreck in AD 60. The **Domus Romana**, just outside Mdina's walls, preserves beautiful mosaic floors from a wealthy Roman house.
Rabat is also known for **pastizzi**, flaky pastries filled with ricotta or peas, and the bakeries near the parish church are a favourite stop for locals. On Sunday mornings there is a market in the centre.
Nearby
The **Dingli Cliffs**, a short bus ride or a long walk south, rise high above the sea and are the classic place for sunset. **Mosta**, between Mdina and the coast, has a huge domed **Rotunda**, where a bomb pierced the dome in 1942 without exploding. The **San Anton Gardens** in Attard surround the President's residence, and the **Ta' Qali crafts village** sells glass, filigree and lace.
Food and drink
There are a few restaurants inside Mdina, some in old palazzos with romantic courtyards, and more in Rabat, from family trattorias to rabbit specialists. A light lunch at Fontanella and a pastizzi stop in Rabat are classics.
Where to stay
Staying in Mdina means a very quiet night in a historic hotel, which some visitors love. Rabat has guesthouses and apartments. Most travellers visit as a day trip from Valletta or Sliema.
Getting there and around
Buses run frequently from the Valletta terminus and from Sliema and the airport to Rabat, stopping just outside Mdina Gate. Both towns are walkable, with some cobbles and slopes. Horse drawn carriages wait at the gate, but agree the price first.
Practical tips
Mdina is a residential town: respect the quiet and avoid going into private courtyards. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water in summer, and dress modestly in churches. Check opening hours of the catacombs and museums, which close on some days.
Questions about Mdina and Rabat
Why is Mdina called the Silent City?
Because so few cars are allowed inside the walls and the population is small, the streets are remarkably quiet, especially in the evening after day visitors leave.
How long should I spend in Mdina and Rabat?
A full day works well: the morning or late afternoon in Mdina and a few hours in Rabat for the catacombs, the Domus Romana and lunch. Add Dingli Cliffs for sunset.
How do I get to Mdina by bus?
Several routes from the Valletta terminus go to Rabat, stopping close to Mdina Gate, and there are direct buses from Sliema and the airport area. Check current routes on the Malta Public Transport website.
Was Mdina used in Game of Thrones?
Yes. Mdina Gate and some streets appeared as King's Landing in the first season, which brings fans to the city.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
