Mdina is a beautifully preserved medieval walled city perched high above the surrounding countryside. With its golden limestone buildings, quiet laneways, and sweeping views, it feels like stepping into a historical dream. It was Malta’s capital before Valletta was built, and today, only a few hundred people still live inside. The nickname “Silent City” is apt — no through traffic, just narrow winding alleys, Baroque doorways, and the occasional horse-drawn carriage. While Valletta was methodically planned on a grid system, Mdina is a classic, organically developed maze.
Adjacent to, actually surrounding, Mdina is Rabat, a town with roots just as deep. It offers a more local, lived-in vibe with significant archaeological and religious sites. Wandering both is a must—Mdina offers a sense of timeless calm, while Rabat feels authentic and grounded.
How to Get to Mdina and Rabat
By bus: Take bus 51, 52, or 53 from the Valletta bus terminal to Mdina Gate. The journey takes ~30–40 minutes.
By car: Around 25–30 minutes, with free parking outside the Mdina walls.
Tip: get off the bus a little early – you’ll get a view of the hill and walled city.
Sights of Mdina
Mdina Walled City
If you are a wanderer, and lover of medieval cities, then you definitely need to spend some time getting lost here. Narrow alleys and tall walls make it perfectly disorienting. It is full of large, beautiful doorways and iconic Maltese balconies. Go early (before 10am) and you’ll have them largely to yourself; tour groups flood in by mid-morning.
St. Paul’s Cathedral & the Cathedral Museum
At the heart of Mdina stands St. Paul’s Cathedral, a striking baroque structure dedicated to the saint said to have been shipwrecked on Malta. The richly decorated interior features ornate frescoes, marble tombs, and a stunning dome. The adjacent museum showcases a collection of religious art, rare coins, and woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer—worth a stop if you’re keen on history or ecclesiastical art. Open Mon–Sat, €4.50.
Mdina Dungeons Museum
This museum is a bit quirky and theatrical, with wax figures depicting Malta’s darker history (torture, invasion, plague). Fun rather than scholarly, and not for the squeamish. About €6.
National Museum of Natural History
Housed in an 18th-century palace in Mdina, this museum offers a collection focused on Malta’s unique geology, wildlife, and fossils. While modest, it’s a nice stop for those interested in the island’s natural environment and biodiversity. Some of their collection was lost to WWII bombing.
Places to Eat in Mdina
- Fontanella Tea Garden – One of Mdina’s most popular food spots, Fontanella Tea Garden is known for its homemade cakes and panoramic views. Snag a table on the terrace if you can, and enjoy a slice of chocolate cake with sweeping vistas all the way to the coast. It’s touristy, but with good reason.
- Coogi’s Restaurant – For lunch or dinner with a view, Coogi’s offers al fresco seating right along the Mdina walls. The food is fresh and Mediterranean-inspired, and the elevated terrace makes it one of the most scenic dining spots in the area. It’s a great place to rest and refuel after exploring.
Sights of Rabat
St. Paul’s Catacombs
An enormous underground maze of early Christian burial sites dating back to the 3rd century. The cool, cavernous tunnels stretch beneath the city and offer a fascinating (and slightly eerie) look into Malta’s early religious history. The site is well-preserved and marked, allowing you to understand how the catacombs were used over centuries. Give yourself 1-2 hours to explore!
St. Paul’s Grotto & Basilica
According to tradition, this is the cave where St. Paul sheltered after his shipwreck on Malta in 60 AD. Whether you’re religious or not, the Baroque basilica above it is beautiful, and the underground grotto has an eerie, ancient quality. The complex also includes WWII-era tunnel shelters used by locals during the German and Italian bombardments.
Domus Romana
Just outside Mdina’s walls, the Domus Romana contains some remarkably well-preserved Roman mosaic flooring. The site includes a small museum with artifacts that paint a picture of elite Roman life on the island. It’s a quick but worthwhile stop for anyone interested in ancient history. Closed Mondays; a combo ticket with the Catacombs saves a few euros.
Knights of Malta Experience
This small but informative attraction offers a multimedia walk-through of Malta’s history during the time of the Knights Hospitaller. While the production is a bit dated, it gives useful context about Mdina’s role during that era, especially if you’re not doing a guided tour elsewhere.
Practical tips
Unless you are really keen on the places mentioned above, eat in Rabat, not inside Mdina. Prices are noticeably lower. The cafés along the main square near the Basilica are good for a pastizzi (flaky savoury pastry, a Maltese staple) and a coffee. For a sit-down lunch, locals tend to recommend spots along Triq il-Kbira.
If you can, time your visit to be in Mdina at either very early morning or around sunset — the city lights up beautifully in the golden hour, the crowds thin out, and it genuinely feels magical.
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Read these other Malta posts:
Visit The Three Cities: Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea & Cospicua
Mdina and Rabat as a Day Trip from Valletta
A Day Trip to Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
Beyond Valletta: 5 Day Trips to Explore More of Malta
Malta Prehistoric Temples Guide: Ancient Sites to Visit
Gozo Getaway: Exploring Malta’s Scenic Sister Island
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