Mdina is a stunning walled city located in the heart of Malta atop a hill that overlooks most of the country. Also known as the "silent city", Mdina is a true gem of the Mediterranean, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and architecture.
With its narrow streets, ancient buildings, and breathtaking views over the entire island of Malta, Mdina is a perfect place to escape the bustling city of Valletta and travel back in time to walk the street of one of the best well-preserved medieval cities in Europe.
Within this guide, you will find everything you need to plan a perfect trip to Mdina, Malta. Without further ado, here are the 8 best things to do in Valletta for solo travelers. Let's begin by taking a look at the itinerary map below:
Mdina Itinerary Map
8 Best Things to Do in Mdina
1. Walk Through Mdina Gate
Mdina Gate is one of the first things you will see when you arrive in the walled city of Mdina. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks here, especially for those who have watched the HBO series, Game of Thrones.
You see, if you go back to the beginning of episode 3 in season 1, you will find Lady Catelyn Stark rides along with Ser Rodrick Cass into King's Landing. The gate behind them is, in fact, Mdina Gate, and they shot the scene right here.
In reality, Mdina Gate was built in the 16th century by the Knights of St. John, who ruled Malta at the time. The gate was designed to be both a defensive structure and a symbol of the knights' power and wealth.
- Malta: Mdina and Rabat Walking Tour (2.5 hours)
- Malta: Highlights of Malta & Mdina Full Day Tour with Lunch (8 hours)
- Malta: Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea Tour with Boat Trip (4 hours)
Before you enter the gate, stroll around the area and admire the stunning massive fortification walls surrounding the city. It is amazing how well-preserved the city is both from the outside and inside.
2. Visit St Paul's Cathedral
One of the most popular attractions in Mdina is St Paul's Cathedral located right at the center of the walled city. The church was built in the 17th century in dedication to St. Paul, who is said to have been shipwrecked on the island in 60 AD and subsequently converted the local population to Christianity.
The architecture of St. Paul's Cathedral is a stunning example of the Baroque style, with a classic-looking facade made out of light brown limestones, flanked by 2 bell towers on both sides.
Inside, you will find intricate sculptures of saints, stunning frescoes on the ceiling, and other ornate details that create a stunning yellow-red dual tone along its walls.
While you are there, be sure to explore the cathedral's many chapels and check out its impressive artwork, including a painting by the famous Maltese artist Mattia Preti.
The church is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM every day except on Sundays when it is open from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The entrance fee is 10 EUR, and you will have access to the cathedral as well as the Church's museum. You can buy the ticket from the museum next to the church or buy it online here.
3. Check Out the Interior of the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady
Another church to visit in Mdina is the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady. Although this church is much smaller than St. Paul's Church, its unique colored oval interior is even more lavishly decorated than its counterpart.
The orange-red color scheme the decors have going on inside this church works extremely well with all the sculptures, ornaments, and frescoes adorning the church's walls. Its oval-shaped interior is also pretty unique to see.
Best of all, the church is free to enter, a perfect place to escape the crowded streets of Mdina's Old Town. The church is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM every day except on Sundays.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour to Mdina? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
4. Travel Back in Time at Palazzo Falson
If you ever wonder what life of noblemen and women were like in the walled city of Mdina during medieval times, you are going to love Palazzo Falson.
Built in the 13th century, the palace has a rich history, having been owned and inhabited by a number of prominent Maltese families over the centuries. Today, it serves as a museum and cultural center, showcasing a wide range of art, artifacts, and other historical objects.
Photos by Patrimonju.
You can explore the palace's many rooms and galleries, filled with fascinating objects from different periods in Maltese history. Highlights include intricate tapestries, medieval armor, antique furniture, and a wide range of artwork.
While you are here, be sure to go up to the terrace and check out the view of Mdina from above. The palace is open from 10 AM to 5 PM every day except on Mondays, and the entrance fee is 10 EUR per person. Audio guides are also available in many languages.
5. Be Blown Away by the View at Bastion Square
For the best viewpoint to see from Mdina, I highly recommend you check out Bastion Square and its observation deck which provides an incredible view of Malta.
The square is situated at the highest point of the city, and it offers panoramic views of the Maltese countryside, including the nearby town of Rabat and the Mediterranean Sea.
At the square, you will find a massive tree with benches where you can relax and take in the breathtaking scenery while enjoying a refreshing drink or snack from one of the cafes and restaurants nearby.
6. Explore St Paul's Catacombs
After spending time exploring the walled city, it is time to get out and visit one of the coolest attractions in Rabat, the catacombs of Rabat and its network of tunnels and chambers.
There are not just one but 2 really good catacombs you can visit in Rabat. Two of the most popular catacombs are the one under the Basilica of St Paul in Rabat and another at St Paul's Catacombs, with both offering you a chance to walk around these tunnels and discover artifacts and burial sights with one at St. Paul's Catacomb still hold a skeleton in it.
The catacomb under the Basilica of St Paul in Rabat is also great with several prehistoric artifacts and archaeological fings you can see inside like the mysterious agape tables, a unique characteristic which isn't found anywhere, and its function is still debated to this day.
Some say they were used for funerary feasts, which makes sense since the agape table here is surrounded by a c-shaped sloping bench, which is thought to resemble the dining areas of Roman houses.
Both are great, but for the most complete experience, I highly recommend you go with St. Paul's Catacomb, which provides the most complete experience, including the catacomb walk and a museum section where you can learn more about the area's history.
The catacombs of Rabat are open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM every day except Tuesday, and the entrance fee is 6 EUR per person. You can buy the ticket at the entrance of the museum section. It is one of the best things to do in Mdina, but I do not recommend this if you are claustrophobic.
7. Visit Domvs Romana Archeological Museum
Right at the western gate of the walled city of Mdina, you will find Domvs Romana, an ancient Roman townhouse, which has been carefully restored and preserved and is now open to the public as a museum.
The townhouse is believed to date back to the 1st century AD and was likely the home of a wealthy Roman family. The site includes a number of different rooms, including a peristyle courtyard, a triclinium, and several beautifully decorated living areas.
The best feature of the archeological site is the well-preserved Hellenistic-style mosaics found in the peristyle and the surrounding rooms. If you are interested in the history of the Hellenistic period, be sure to check out the museum. The museum is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day except on Mondays, and the entrance fee is 6 EUR per person.
8. The Mdina Dungeons Museum
Like any typical medieval fortified town and castle in Europe, there is always a dungeon to visit, and the one here has been turned into the Mdina Dungeons Museum that you can visit.
The dungeons were originally used as prison cells during the time of the Knights of Malta, but now, it has been converted into a museum, and you can explore the narrow corridors and cramped cells where prisoners were once kept.
The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Malta's dark and often violent history, with exhibits that include instruments of torture, restraints, and other artifacts used to punish and control prisoners.
If you enjoy learning the darker side of history, be sure to drop by at Mdina Dungeons Museum. The place is open from 10 AM to 4 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 5 EUR per person.
Where to Stay in Valletta?
Since Mdina is quite small and isn't as far from Valletta, I highly recommend you base yourself anywhere near Valletta instead of staying in Mdina. You are going to get a much better deal with plenty of choices this way.
Valletta is quite big, with the city divided into districts with features that will cater to different people depending on what type of holidays you are planning for this trip. Of course, staying in Valletta's old town will give you the easiest access to most tourist attractions but the buildings there are quite old and so you might not get the best accommodation, especially for the high asking price.
From my experience, I found that the best value-for-money place to stay in Valletta is somewhere around St. Julians and its surroundings. The area is far enough from the old town not to be inflated by its overly expensive price, while it is lively enough with a ton of restaurants and cafes for you to indulge yourself in.
From St. Julians, you can also take one of the many buses to Valletta in about 15 minutes, which is quite convenient. Below are some of my suggested accommodations in and around St. Julians and Sliema:
If money is no object and you want the best experience that requires the least effort, staying in Valletta is a great idea. Below are some suggested accommodations in Valletta:
How to get from Valletta to Mdina?
From abroad, to get to Mdina, you will have to get to Valletta first and make a day trip to visit Mdina. Fly into Malta International Airport (MLA), while you are at the airport, you can buy the 15 EUR 12 Single Day Journeys bus pass which is the best deal out there for those who are planning to stay between 2 - 5 days here. The bus pass will allow you to take any bus in the country 12 times before it runs out. There should be a kiosk at the arrival terminal you can buy this pass from.
From the airport, depending on where you choose to stay in Valletta, you can take bus #110 to get to St Julians or bus #71, #72, and #73 to get to Valletta. It should take about one hour before you arrive in Valletta. Bus schedules are available here.
To get from Valletta to Mdina, you will then have to head over to Valletta Bus Station and take bus #51, #52, or #53 to get to Mdina. The journey should take about an hour, and the bus should run every hour. You can check the bus schedule from here.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Malta
I hope you found this Malta travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Malta, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- For a complete backpacking itinerary for Malta, check out: 4 Days Backpacking Malta Itinerary.
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Valletta, the capital city of Malta? Check out: 12 Best Things to Do in Valletta, Malta.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Malta, visit the Malta Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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