Mdina is a picture-perfect walled city nestled in the heart of Malta. With its dramatic Baroque gate and captivating architecture, it’s no wonder Mdina was chosen as a filming location for Game of Thrones. But is this silent city truly worth a visit during your trip to Malta?
In this article, we’ll provide all the reasons why Mdina deserves a spot on your itinerary. Having spent seven glorious days in Malta ourselves, we dedicated a full day to unraveling the mysteries of Mdina. Now, we have 13 exciting activities to share that will make your visit to Mdina Malta truly memorable.
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Why is Mdina Called the Silent City?
Mdina was once the capital of Malta, but lost its status when the capital was relocated to Valletta in the 1570s. As a result, this once vibrant city became all but deserted. Today, only 271 residents live within the city walls, and when the tourists depart, Mdina transforms into a silent city, embracing a sense of tranquility and nostalgia.
See the beauty of Mdina yourself in our full video guide below!
There are 2 luxury hotels inside the city walls if you should want to stay the night to see how quiet the Mdina gets at night. These ritzy hotels could add even more mystique and romance to your visit to Malta.
How to Get to Mdina Malta
Malta boasts a well-developed bus system, making it easy to reach Mdina from the capital of Valletta with a scenic 25-45 minute bus ride. Hop on either bus 51 or 52 from Bay C2 and prepare to immerse yourself in the historic ambiance of this remarkable city. Bus tickets cost €2 per person, and it’s recommended to carry exact change as bus drivers rarely have change available.
You also might want to consider getting a Tallinja prepaid bus card so you don’t have to worry about having exact change for each bus ride. The Tallinja card works on buses and ferries and can make your travels around Malta much easier. Learn more about the Tallinja bus card here.
Things to Do in Mdina Malta
Although Mdina is small and easily explored on foot, this city offers a wealth of attractions to fill an entire day. So, let’s delve into 13 captivating things to do in Mdina.
1: Mdina Gate
Begin your Mdina adventure by admiring the exquisite Mdina Gate. This gate is the main entrance into the walled city and an architectural marvel. The gate has an ornate Baroque style and is so lovely that it was used as a Game of Thrones filming location. GOT fans will recognize this iconic location as the entrance to King’s Landing for Lady Stark in the show.
2: Mdina Dungeon
Step into the dark side of Mdina’s history with a visit to the chilling Mdina Dungeon. Uncover the stories of imprisonment, torture, and some of the city’s haunted tales. Evidently, the dungeon is still haunted to this day. Chilling!
We didn’t get a chance to go inside this one, as I mentioned, there’s a lot to do! I imagine this would be a fascinating attraction to see though.
3: Carriage Ride Tour
Our favorite activity in Mdina was taking a carriage ride through Mdina and through the surrounding neighborhoods of Rabat. This carriage ride is a great way to get oriented to the city. Plus, your carriage driver will share lots of interesting facts about the city as well. Our ride was both relaxing and a great way to experience the enchanting atmosphere of Mdina. And if you are traveling as a couple, it’s definitely a romantic way to explore the winding streets and medieval architecture in style.
Prices for this carriage ride are not set so it is possible to negotiate with your carriage driver about the price. We were offered a €30 tour at the end, but we heard prices from other drivers around €45-€50 Euros.
4: Walking Tour
Alternatively, a walking tour is another great way to learn about the history of Mdina and see the city at a slower more up-close pace. Schedule your Mdina walking tour here!
5: Mdina Cathedral Museum
Next, you can uncover the rich history of the Mdina Cathedral through the exhibits at the Cathedral Museum. We really were impressed by their silver collection and their exquisite artwork here. They even had religious relics like the bones of a saint that you can’t see anywhere else.
The cathedral itself is also beautifully adorned with colorful marble and majestic artwork. It really is a feast for your eyes when you go to the Mdina Cathedral Museum.
6: Carmelite Priory Museum
The Carmelite Priory is another magnificent church in Mdina. It’s free to enter and is a short but beautiful stop when you are visiting the Silent City.
7: Bastion Square
At the end of the main road is Bastion Square. Here you can pause and take in the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, the coastal cities, and the distant sea. It almost feels like you can see all of Malta from this spot, so it’s a definite must-see when you come to Mdina.
8: Fontanella Tea Room
For lunch, take a break and indulge in a delightful afternoon tea at the Fontanella Tea Room. The restaurant has delicious sandwiches, salads, and pizzas. Make sure not to miss their delicious cakes while relishing breathtaking views from the terrace.
9: The Knights of Malta
Learn about the illustrious history of the Knights of Malta, the ancient order that played a significant role in Malta’s past. This exhibit includes and informative movie and a walk through dozens of lifelike dioramas that really make the history come to life.
10: The Mdina Experience
The Mdina Experience is another great museum that shares 7000 years of history including all of the battles that were fought and won to hold Mdina. Mdina was not always a silent city as it is today. Experience this rich history for yourself at the Mdina Experience.
Pro tip: If you want to visit both the Mdina Experience and the Knights of Malta tickets can be bought together for a slight discount.
11: British Gate
In total, Mdina has 3 gates and it’s nice to see them all. The British Gate is the plainest gate of the three. It’s located close to the end of Triq L’Imahazen which is a street where they shot some Game of Thrones scenes as well. Although simple, we still believe that this gate is worth a quick stop on your walk through Mdina.
11: Greek Gate
Just footsteps away from the British Gate is the Greek Gate. It’s called the Greek Gate because at one time this neighborhood and a large Greek population. This gate does have an intriguing display and an ornate exterior gate that is definitely worth seeing.
12: Il-Foss Garden
Just footsteps away from the Greek Gate is Il-Foss Garden. This garden is a fantastic place for admiring the massive ramparts of Mdine. Take a leisurely stroll through enjoying the well-manicured landscape and peaceful atmosphere.
13: Rabat
To end your trip, you can stroll around Rabat, the charming town that surrounds Mdina. Rabat has its own historical treasures such as St. Paul’s Catacombs and a Roman Villa both of which are worth exploring.
How Long to Visit Mdina Malta?
To fully immerse yourself in the wonders of Mdina, we recommend allocating a full day to this extraordinary city. Five to six hours should provide ample time to explore the main attractions in Mdina and soak up the timeless atmosphere.
However, you might want to allow 8 hours if you would like to explore Rabat in more detail as well.
Is Mdina Malta Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Despite its reputation as a silent city, Mdina is far from boring. Its breathtaking views, rich history, and ability to bring the past to life will keep you thoroughly entertained. You’ll gain a profound appreciation for how the historical events of the past have shaped the city we see today. So, as you plan your trip to Malta, make sure to include a visit to the enchanting city of Mdina.
Now that you know about Mdina, learn even more about Malta below!
- The Ultimate Guide to Malta
- How to Get International Phone Coverage
- The Best Travel Gear for Easy Packing & Unpacking
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That looks AMAZING. Hope to visit Malta next year. Thanks for sharing!
what rich history! And to travel by carriage ride sounds divine 🙂
That is so cool you can do so much in one day. Thank you for sharing.
This post came at a perfect time. We are visiting Malta in the Fall and definitely want to visit Mdina. Good to know we can visit by bus. And there is lots to see when we visit. We will have to plan enough time to have Afternoon Tea.