Lost-in-time Mdina is one of the most enchanting places to visit in Malta and this thorough guide on what to do in Mdina is sure to make you want to spend more than just a couple of hours in Malta’s Silent City, as most travellers – mistakenly – do.
This article was written by Billy Read, a deaf travel blogger from Birmingham, UK. Through his blog BRB Gone Somewhere Epic, Billy dismantles the myth that travel is too expensive and explains how you can still enjoy hidden gems even in the most popular tourist destinations.
Nestled in the northwest corner of the island nation of Malta lies the fortified city of Mdina. This ancient walled city oozes history, culture and charm in every cobblestoned street. Therefore, it’s no surprise that there are so many amazing things to do in Mdina. In this guide, you’ll find out what to do in Mdina for a trip to remember.
Some of the links in this article are affiliate ones.
This means that if you click through them to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
For more information, visit our Disclosure page.
Why Visit Mdina Malta
Mdina has been inhabited since prehistoric times due to its strategic location and natural defences. By the 11th century, it was already a thriving Muslim town. It served as the former capital of Malta for centuries and remains one of the most fascinating places to visit in Malta.
Despite its compact size, Mdina packs a serious sightseeing punch. A stroll through this quaint town is like stepping back in time to Malta’s medieval times.
The Silent City, as it is also known ever since Malta’s capital was transferred to the town of Vittoriosa (Birgu), Mdina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with impressive architecture, majestic palaces, magnificent Cathedrals and fascinating museums just waiting to be discovered.
Beyond its impressive sights, Mdina exudes an intangible magical ambience. Its shady winding streets, peaceful squares and golden stone buildings evoke a sense of wonder and enchantment.
Yet Mdina is more than just a pretty backdrop. Local bars, shops and restaurants infuse modern vibrancy into ancient alleyways. During the day, tourists roam freely while, at nightfall, the picturesque town reverts to a quiet local neighbourhood.
Visiting the medieval Mdina citadel is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Malta. But, with just one day here, how do you make the most of your time? Use this complete guide to uncover the very best things to see, do, eat and experience in marvellous Mdina.
How To Get To Mdina
After arriving at Malta International Airport, reaching Mdina is remarkably easy using Malta’s efficient public transportation. Mdina sits between 15 and 30 minutes west of the capital Valletta by bus or taxi. However, if you’re short on time, for a more hassle-free experience, check out this day trip from Valletta with a guided tour of Mdina and Rabat.
Buses run every 15 to 30 minutes daily from the Valletta bus terminus directly to Mdina Gate. Simply take buses 51, 52 or 53 and alight at the Mdina bus stop to reach the city’s main entrance. Roundtrip bus tickets cost just €2 to €4 (2023 prices).
Taxis offer more convenience and can be booked on the Malta Public Transport smartphone app. The set rate is €20 from Valletta to Mdina. Some key tips:
- Mdina is pedestrianised so all transport drops off just outside the city walls.
- The Mdina entrance has a tourist information point to grab maps.
- Wear comfy walking shoes as you’ll be on foot the entire time.
- Bring water, sunscreen and a hat as there is minimal shade inside the walls.
What To Do in Mdina – Walking Tour of Mdina’s Top Sights
Mdina Gate
Start your visit at the impressive Mdina Gate. Also known as Vilhena Gate, this is the Main Gate entrance of Mdina. The fortified gate dates back to the Roman period and the marble inscription above was added in the 18th century. Passing under the gatehouse tunnel is like stepping back in time as you enter the medieval city.
Being the perfect starting point for any walking tour, Mdina Gate is also a Game of Thrones filming location that was used as King’s Landing Gate.
Vilhena Palace
Built in Baroque style, the grand 18th-century Palazzo Vilhena was once the residence of the Order of St John’s Grand Master Antonio Manoel. It now houses Malta’s National Museum of Natural History, perfect for families to see dinosaur exhibits. Even if you skip visiting the interior of the Natural History Museum, the palace’s exterior is impressive with its dual stone staircases and statue-lined courtyard.
St. Peter’s Church & Monastery
Before arriving at Mdina Cathedral, step into the oldest female monastery in Malta. Dating back to the 15th century, St. Peter’s Monastery displays artefacts and tools that nuns used to comfort their lives. What’s more, the cloistered nuns are selling delicious baked goods. You can also visit the rooms of Blessed Maria Adeodata Pisani, a cloistered nun who lived in the monastery in the 19th century.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
The imposing Baroque St. Paul’s Cathedral dominates the Mdina skyline, making it the city’s most recognisable landmark. Although tradition says that the Cathedral is in the place of the palace of Roman Governor Publius, history buffs will appreciate that it stands on the site of an ancient Roman temple and subsequent Norman Cathedral before being rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake.
Buy your combo ticket from the adjacent Cathedral Museum that includes the entrance fee to the Museum and the Cathedral.
Palazzo Santa Sofia
After visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral, on your way to the Carmelite Priory, make a stop outside Palazzo Santa Sofia, the oldest surviving medieval building in Mdina. Its ground floor dates back to the 13th century while the upper floor was constructed less than a century ago. The palace is not open to the public.
Carmelite Church & Convent
A short walk from the striking St. Paul’s Cathedral is the Carmelite Church and Convent, worth visiting for its peacefulness and unique pieces of art.
The Baroque church contains lavish gold carvings along with remarkable paintings by memorable artists, such as Mattia Preti. Adjoined to the Carmelite Church, the small convent features an outstanding cloister that will take you back to the 17th century. The room for the communal meals is one of the convent’s original spaces that showcases the friars’ routine of that time.
Palazzo Falson
Just past the Cathedral, Palazzo Falson, the second oldest building in Mdina, allows visitors to glimpse at what life was like for Mdina’s nobility during the Middle Ages.
This meticulously restored aristocratic townhouse museum showcases period furnishings, art and costumes. History lovers and interior design fans will especially appreciate this window into Malta’s past. Palazzo Falson is also home to famous paintings by noteworthy artists, such as Nicolas Poussin and Sir Anthony Van Dyck.
Bastion Square
Head to the gorgeous Bastion Square at the edge of the walled city of Mdina for outstanding panoramic views of Mdina’s surroundings.
Main Gate Ramparts
Don’t exit Mdina without the breathtaking views from the Main Gate ramparts overlooking the deep moat. Photographers will love capturing shots of little-changed medieval Mdina on one side and modern Rabat on the other. Look for other remaining original gateways like the Greeks Gate for more panoramas.
Roman Villa
As you’re crossing the Howard Gardens outside the city walls, stop by Domus Romana. Dating back to the 1st century BC, the Villa’s remains became later ground for a Muslim cemetery. If you have spare time, visit the Roman Villa’s small museum to see the Roman antiquities displayed there. From there, stroll along Rabat’s narrow alleys towards St. Paul’s Catacombs, a massive underground cemetery.
St Paul’s Catacombs
Just at the outskirts of Mdina lie Malta’s largest Roman-era catacombs of St Paul, not to be missed. The underground tombs date back to the 3rd century BC. Descending into the eerie tunnels offers an immersive experience and a unique perspective to understand the multi-layered history of Mdina.
Other Amazing Things To Do in Mdina
Beyond its fantastic sightseeing, there are lots of other things to do in Mdina to appreciate this magical city from different perspectives:
- Embark on an open-air land train tour of Mdina for a fun overview of the key sights and history.
- Visit the Knights of Malta Museum for a history journey through the centuries and an insight into the lives of the Knights of St. John.
- Join the Mdina Experience show to enjoy the city’s beauty and history under atmospheric nighttime lighting and accompanying audio.
- If you are a Game of Thrones fan, tour Mdina’s filming locations, such as Mesquita Square, from the hit HBO show. The entire city stood in for King’s Landing, along with other Malta spots like the Blue Lagoon.
- Have a long lazy Maltese lunch at one of Mdina’s restaurants and cafés overlooking the island scenery under the city walls.
- Browse the unique souvenir shops in Mdina that line charming narrow streets to hunt for locally made crafts and gifts.
- At night, after the day-trippers have left, stroll the lantern-lit medieval streets soaking in the magical atmosphere.
- If you’re into dark tourism, step inside the Mdina Dungeons Museum.
- Stroll past lesser-known architectural gems, such as the 16th century Palazzo de Piro and the Torre dello Standardo.
Best Places To Eat & Drink in Mdina
Mdina offers inviting bars and restaurants to refuel between sightseeing. Dining inside the mighty medieval walls is an atmospheric experience but comes at slightly inflated prices. Inside Mdina’s walls, top dining recommendations include:
- Bacchus – For fine dining in an elegant setting, Bacchus offers creative Mediterranean-French fusion cuisine and unmatched Mdina views.
- Trattoria AD 1530 – For authentic pizza baked in a wood-fired oven, homemade pasta and other classic Italian dishes in a romantic setting.
- Fontanella Tea Garden – People watch from this café’s prime spot on the Main Gate ramparts while enjoying light bites, tea and decadent cakes.
- The Medina Restaurant – Savor a la carte fine dining highlighting quality Maltese cuisine inside this 400-year-old converted townhouse.
Outside Mdina, you can try some of the best pastizzi in Malta at Crystal Palace Bar in the town of Rabat.
Don’t leave Mdina without trying Malta’s niche wine. Gellewza is a fruity red or floral white from local grapes. And be sure to sample the traditional date-filled shortbread called maqrut.
Where To Stay in Mdina
Wake up right inside the medieval city walls with an overnight stay in Mdina. Boutique hotels in converted mansions or townhouses offer a magical experience and great convenience. Recommended options include:
- The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux – Live like royalty in this 17th-century palace, featuring lavish rooms, blooming courtyards, fine dining and a pool.
- Palazzo Bifora – Pamper yourself in this 5-star hotel that offers luxurious suites, an outdoor swimming pool and a terrace with spectacular views.
Nearby Rabat also makes a great base with more affordable hotels just outside Mdina’s walls like Villa Vittoria or Point de Vue Guest House, one of Mdina’s best budget picks with friendly service, amazing views and nicely decorated rooms. Staying in Valletta, Sliema or St. Julian’s is very feasible too if you don’t mind the short commute.
How To Make The Most of Your Day in Mdina
Mdina deserves a full day to uncover all of its medieval magic. Here is an ideal one-day itinerary:
Morning: Arrive early around 9-10 am to beat both the heat and crowds. Start with the Mdina walking tour, ticking off top sights like St. Paul’s Cathedral, Vilhena Palace, Palazzo Falson, city walls, Carmelite Church, etc. Break for a light lunch at one of Mdina’s atmospheric spots.
Early Afternoon: After lunch, see other major landmarks like Palazzo Santa Sofia and St. Paul’s Catacombs. Then join an open-air land train tour or night show for an overview.
Late Afternoon: Wander off the main streets down charming alleyways. Browse souvenir shops and relax over coffee or drinks as the crowds dissipate.
Evening: Stay for sunset drinks on a rooftop terrace before dinner at one of Rabat’s excellent eateries. Stroll Mdina’s nighttime streets for a magical end to your day.
One day allows you to see Mdina’s top attractions, but two to three days lets you dive deeper into museums and day trips to nearby towns like Mosta, Mgarr and Dingli.
For an extended Malta itinerary, use Mdina as your base to explore the entire island on a road trip, including top attractions like the Blue Lagoon in Comino, the capital Valletta, and one of Malta’s most popular attractions, the Popeye Village. Have more time? Don’t miss an opportunity to go scuba diving in Malta, home to some of the world’s best scuba diving spots.
Discover The Magic of Malta’s Medieval Gem
Mdina encapsulates over 4000 years of enthralling history within its golden medieval walls. This comprehensive travel guide on what to do in Mdina outlined the very best ways to experience captivating Mdina to make the most of your limited time in this medieval masterpiece.
Get lost wandering the peaceful cobblestone streets, soak up the magical atmosphere, admire breathtaking architecture and indulge in delicious local fare. From wandering ancient alleyways to admiring panoramic views atop the city walls, Mdina offers an unforgettable window into Malta’s past. Its unique ambience and wealth of historic sights cement it as a great place to visit in Malta.
Mdina FAQs:
What are the top attractions in Mdina?
The medieval city’s top attractions are St Paul’s Cathedral, Palazzo Falson, Vilhena Palace, the city walls, St. Peter’s Church, Palazzo Santa Sofia and the Roman Catacombs.
How much time do you need in Mdina?
One full day is ideal for the main sights or two to three days to see museums and take day trips. Stay overnight to experience the atmospheric medieval streets of Mdina without the day-trippers. That’s probably the best time to fully grasp Mdina’s allure.
How do you get to Mdina from Valletta?
Mdina is between 15 and 30 minutes from Valletta by bus or taxi. Take bus 51, 52 or 53 directly from the Valletta bus terminal to the Mdina bus stop by the city gate.
Where should you stay in Mdina?
Staying in one of Mdina’s converted boutique mansions or townhouses allows you to wake up within the city walls. Good options include The Xara Palace and Palazzo Bifora.
What to do in Mdina at night?
If you’re wondering what to do in Mdina after dark, Mdina reverts to a peaceful local neighbourhood perfect for admiring the historic buildings illuminated at night on an evening walking tour.
Are there restaurants and bars inside Mdina?
Yes, Mdina has inviting bars and restaurants to refuel between sightseeing like Fontanella Tea Garden, The Medina Restaurant and Bacchus for fine dining.
What is the best way to see Mdina’s sights?
This comprehensive walking tour is a great way to see all the top sights and learn about Mdina’s rich history and architecture as you explore its cobblestone streets.
Mdina is one of our favourite places to visit in Malta. Billy did a great job illustrating the magic of this silent yet charming city in this guide on what to do in Mdina. Contrary to what most visitors do, we’re sure you’re now inspired to spend at least one full day in Malta’s old capital.
WORDS: Guest author
IMAGES: Katerina
EDITING: Maria