Malta’s silent city, Mdina, is one of the many historical wonders in the archipelago. Here, every corner tells a story. And how could it not?! The fortified city was founded around 2700 years ago by Phoenician settlers, then conquered and ruled by different empires until it became the cultural hotspot we know today.
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The city’s architecture is a testament to its layered history, showcasing a fusion of Roman, Arab, and medieval influences, with Baroque elements added in the early 18th century.
It has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries, but its strategic location on one of Malta’s highest peaks made invasions quite difficult. The city’s layout, with its winding, narrow streets, was also designed to confuse potential invaders.
Nowadays, getting lost in these narrow alleys is one of the best things to do around here! So get ready as we’re about to explore all of Mdina’s charm – below are all the things you can’t miss when visiting the Silent City.
Fun fact: Mdina is also known for its intriguing ghost stories. One popular tale speaks of a silent woman who makes people follow her before walking through a wall. Another one is about a headless bride who loves to appear in tourist photos 👻
1. Mdina Gate
There are a total of three gates leading into the fortified city of Mdina. The main one, also known as Vilhena Gate, was constructed in 1724 and replaced an earlier medieval entrance known as the Prima Porta Principale. Walking through the gates feels like entering a portal to the past!
Fun fact: Mdina Gate has been featured in Game of Thrones! It appeared in season one as one of the gates of King’s Landing.
2. Breakfast at Fontanella Tea Garden
Fontanella Tea Garden is a small restaurant perched atop the city’s bastions. Its terrace provides a unique vantage point of the island, offering a sweeping look at the surrounding countryside and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance.
Besides the stunning views, their cakes are to die for! We recommend starting your tour of Mdina right here with a delish breakfast.
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3. St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral, also known as Mdina Cathedral, is a significant historical and architectural marvel located right in the heart of the Silent City.
Its origins travel back to the earliest Christian time in Malta, with letters by Pope Gregory the Great to Lucillus, Bishop of Malta, in 592-599 AD being the first reference to a Christian community on Malta with its own Church and Bishop.
The current structure, however, was built following the catastrophic earthquake of 1693, which devastated much of the original building.
⏰ The cathedral is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm, and on Sunday from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm.
Right next to the cathedral is the Cathedral Museum. Established in 1897, it holds a collection ranging from the 14th to the early 20th century, including religious artworks, coins, and medieval panels.
Fun fact: Mdina was the capital of Malta until the arrival of the Order of St. John in 1530, who then established Birgu as the administrative center of the island and later Valletta as the new capital.
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4. The Blue Door
Curiously enough, despite being filled with historical and cultural landmarks, one of the most photographed spots in Mdina is… a blue door. It became super popular due to its contrasting turquoise color and the charming floral decorations which make every photo pop!
Here’s the exact location of the blue door. Whenever you pass Mdina Gate, take a left and by the end of the road take a right. The blue door is located right at the end of this street – you’ll also pass a lovely bench with vine-like flowers on the way there.
5. Stroll the Backstreets and Alleys
Get lost! Strolling through the backstreets and alleys of Mdina is like stepping back in time.
Some of the most beautiful ones are:
Triq Mesquita: named after the garrison commander Pietro Mesquita, this street is lined with prestigious 17th-century buildings and leads to Mesquita Square, a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Triq Inguanez: named after Malta’s oldest aristocratic family dating back to the 14th century, the street is home to Casa Inguanez, the townhouse of the family.
Triq Santu Rokku: Named after Saint Roque, the patron saint during times of plague, this street is home to the Chapel of St Roque, constructed in 1728.
6. Bastion Square
Bastion Square is the best viewpoint in Mdina. From up here, you can take in views of Mosta’s Rotunda and St. Paul’s Bay, and with a little bit of effort, you can also catch a glimpse of Valletta!
Hot tip: make sure to also grab an ice cream from the lovely Fior de Latte gelateria!
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7. Ditch Gardens
Often overlooked by tourists flocking to the city’s more famous landmarks, Mdina’s ditch was first created in the 15th century to make the city even more impregnable. In recent years, it has been restored and is now a lovely space where festivals, food fairs, and concerts take place. We also love the view of the main gate from down here, it looks even more splendid!
The most common way to access it is via the stairs near the San Pietro Bastion. There is also a lift at the Mdina’s car park.
8. Mdina Dungeons
This attraction is not your typical museum experience but rather an immersive journey through the island’s history of crime, punishment, and justice.
The dungeons are set beneath the city, in a series of underground passageways and cells, and graphically depict various forms of punishment and torture that occurred inside it during different historical periods. These include the Roman era, the medieval period, the time of the Knights of St. John, and the French occupation.
🎟️ Tickets for this attraction are €5.00 per adult and €2.50 per child. The dungeons are open from 10 AM to 4:30 PM.
9. National Museum of Natural History
Housed in the magnificent 18th-century Vilhena Palace, the museum showcases a range of exhibits, including local and exotic fauna, minerals, and fossils and an extensive collection of birds, mammals, and insects. It plays a significant role in environmental education in Malta and hosts various temporary exhibitions, talks, and activities throughout the year.
🎟️ Tickets for the museum are €5.00 per adult and €3.50 per child. It opens at 10 AM and the last admission is at 4.30 PM.
Note: the National Museum of Natural History is closed on Mondays.
10. Visit Rabat – The Neighboring Town
After exploring Mdina, we highly recommend taking a stroll in Rabat! The lovely neighboring town hosts some amazing attractions such as:
⛪ St. Dominic Convent: one of the many Game of Thrones filming locations in Malta!
☠️ St. Paul’s Catacombs: underground tunnels that served as a burial ground from Punic, Roman, and Byzantine times.
🪖 WW2 Shelters: circa 350 people used to come down and take refuge here during air raids.
Hot tip: stop for coffee and a snack at CHALK Cafe (location here) 😉
Mdina Bonus Tips
How to get to Mdina
Mdina is easily accessible from various parts of Malta, including Valletta, Sliema, and St. Julian’s. Public transport offers convenient options to reach this historic city.
🚌 From Valletta Bus Terminal, you can take bus 51, 52 or 53. All of them stop at Rabat Bus Terminal, right next to Mdina Gate.
Dining Options
Mdina is home to several exquisite dining establishments. We recommend:
🫒 Don Mesquita ($$): a great place to have a traditional Maltese platter, with local sausages, cheese, olives, and local wine.
🍕 Trattoria AD 1530 ($$): this restaurant serves mouthwatering pizzas! We also recommend the bruschetta and the different types of pasta.
🍷 Bacchus Restaurant ($$$): with a lovely terrace, this a great place to have a romantic dinner and try the traditional braised Rabbit.
Staying Overnight
If you wish to spend the night in the Silent City, you should know there are only two hotels within the city walls: The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux and Palazzo Bifora, both luxurious accommodations. Other than that, a couple of villas are also available.
For something more accessible, we recommend staying in Rabat instead.
