In a nutshell
Quick and to the point
- Mdina is one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean and, with 4,000 years of history, a truly remarkable attraction in Malta.
- We’ll show you the 8 best things to do in Mdina and the neighboring town of Rabat — from the iconic city gate to underground catacombs.
- Skip the map and just wander — Mdina is tiny and you really can’t get lost. Exploring the old quarter on your own is honestly the best way to experience it.
- Mdina is at its most magical early in the morning. Hardly anyone is around, and you’ll instantly understand why it’s called the “City of Silence.”
Mdina and Rabat Attractions on the Map
To get you oriented, we’ve marked all the highlights in Mdina and Rabat on a map for easy reference.
As you can see: Everything is wonderfully close together. Even from Mdina’s city gate to the catacombs, it’s only about a ten-minute walk.
Let’s walk you through each of the things to do in Mdina and Rabat in detail.
Mdina City Gate
What do you need to know? Mdina’s city gate is also known as the Main Gate or Mdina Gate. It stands on the eastern city wall and is the first thing you see when you arrive. The gate consists of a large sandstone arch with a bridge and columns dating from 1724, and is decorated with coats of arms, inscriptions, and sculptures.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! Mdina’s city gate isn’t just a top attraction — it’s also one of Malta’s most photographed landmarks. We were completely blown away when we walked through it. Like stepping back in time!
By the way: The city gate served as a filming location for Game of Thrones. We’ll tell you more about the Game of Thrones filming locations in Mdina a little later.
Find even more cool Game of Thrones filming locations here!
The Quiet Lanes of Mdina
What do you need to know? Mdina is also known as the “Silent City.” Part of the reason for this are its car-free, winding lanes, which radiate an almost meditative calm. The historic streets are lined with typical Maltese golden limestone houses and wind their way through the entire city.
Is it worth it? Totally! The lanes define the cityscape and have a charm all their own. During your visit, definitely take a detour down a side alley. You can’t get lost — you’ll always find your way back eventually.
St. Paul's Cathedral
What do you need to know? St. Paul’s Cathedral stands in the heart of Mdina’s historic center, at the highest point of the city. Parts of the church date back to 1697. The cathedral has a beautiful Baroque facade with two enormous towers that display the time and date. Inside, you’ll find plenty of gold and marble.
Important: You need to buy an entry ticket on-site for the cathedral. But here’s the catch — you don’t get it at the church itself. Instead, you buy a combo ticket for 5 euros at the museum across the street. Super confusing, we know. But now you’re in the loop!
Is it worth it? Honestly, going inside isn’t strictly necessary. There are so many churches on Malta that you can visit for free that spending money here isn’t a must. That said, you definitely shouldn’t miss St. Paul’s Cathedral from the outside.
Palazzo Vilhena
What do you need to know? The Palazzo Vilhena is one of the first buildings you see after walking through the city gate. It was built in 1726 and originally served as the Grand Master’s residence before later becoming a hospital. Today it houses the Mdina Natural History Museum. Tickets are available on-site.
Is it worth it? The museum’s exhibition is on the smaller side and a little dated, but that’s actually part of its charm. You’ll find stuffed animals, plants, rocks, and crystals — mostly everything native to Malta and its surrounding waters. The courtyard with its fountain is seriously a highlight.
Our tip: On-site you can buy a combo ticket for the Natural History Museum, the catacombs in Rabat, and the Domvs Romana — we’ll introduce you to both of those shortly. That’s what we did, and we managed to save a few euros.
Mdina Dungeons Museum
What do you need to know? Beneath the Palazzo Vilhena lie the underground dungeons of Mdina. They’ve been transformed into a dark and gripping museum that tells the story of punishment, torture, and imprisonment in medieval Malta. Tickets are available on-site for a few euros.
Is it worth it? Definitely! In the dungeons, you’ll discover a really fascinating chapter of Maltese history. Historical scenes are recreated using wax figures. The dimly lit, narrow corridors and eerie soundscape provide plenty of atmosphere. And we can honestly say: we actually learned something new.
St. Paul's Catacombs Rabat
What do you need to know? Rabat is just a stone’s throw from Mdina — you should absolutely combine a visit to both towns. St. Paul’s Catacombs are the standout attraction in Rabat. They were created between the 4th and 9th centuries AD and served as a Roman burial site. Buy tickets on-site.
Is it worth it? Without a doubt! Visiting the catacombs is one of the best activities on Malta. A staircase leads down into the former burial site — everything is lit with dim lighting, very quiet, cool, and narrow. It’s especially exciting for fans of history and archaeology.
By the way: No need to worry about getting lost. The Rabat Catacombs have designated paths and walkways to follow. Straying off the route simply isn’t possible.
St. Cataldus Church & Catacombs
What do you need to know? Just a few meters from St. Paul’s Catacombs stands St. Cataldus Church — a 12th-century church built on top of additional catacombs. You can visit both the church and the catacombs free of charge.
Is it worth it? The interior of the church is small and fairly unspectacular compared to other Maltese churches. It gets more interesting when you head down into the catacombs. They’re smaller than St. Paul’s, but the visit is free and well worth your time. A great option if you want to keep your budget in check.
Our tip: Just a few minutes’ walk from St. Cataldus Church is the Parruccan Confectionery — a delicious bakery with a display right on the street and one of our favorite Malta insider tips. The cannoli are a real highlight of Maltese cuisine.
Domvs Romana
What do you need to know? The Domvs Romana — or Domus Romana — is an archaeological museum displaying the remains of a Roman villa and a collection of ancient artifacts. The villa dates from the 1st century BC and was inhabited during the Roman Imperial period. The remains were discovered by chance in 1881. Buy tickets for the visit on-site.
Is it worth it? For fans of the Roman Empire, this is absolutely a must-see in Rabat. You’ll need a bit of imagination to piece the villa’s remains into a complete picture, but the large, ancient floor mosaic makes the visit on its own.
The Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Mdina
Because there are so many beautiful places on Malta, the island served as a filming location for the popular fantasy series Game of Thrones. Maybe you already knew that?
Two of those filming locations are right in Mdina: the Mdina City Gate and Pjazza Mesquita.
Mdina’s city gate was used in the first season of Game of Thrones as the gate to King’s Landing. And the building on Pjazza Mesquita appears in the series as Petyr Baelish’s brothel.
More Game of Thrones Filming Locations on Malta
- Verdala Palace
- Fort Ricasoli
- Mtahleb Cliffs
- Eagle Street in Valletta
- Azure Window (collapsed in a storm in 2017)
- Fort Manoel (closed to visitors due to restoration)
Guided Tour of Mdina and Rabat
If you’d rather not explore Mdina and Rabat on your own, you can join a guided tour of both historic towns.
The tour covers the top sights in Mdina and also includes access to St. Paul’s Catacombs.
Book the Mdina & Rabat guided tour
Frequently Asked Questions About Sightseeing in Mdina and Rabat
Can you spend the night in Mdina?
Yes, you can stay overnight in Mdina. However, the small city has very few hotels and the ones that exist tend to be on the pricier side.
Our favorite in Mdina is the Palazzo Bifora.
But also check out our other hotel recommendations for Malta:
Where can you park in Mdina?
Directly in front of the entrance to Mdina, near the famous city gate, you’ll find the public Mdina parking lot.
Unfortunately, this parking lot has gotten a very bad reputation and is no longer recommended.
The problem is a self-appointed “parking attendant” who charges money for what is actually a free parking lot. If you don’t pay, you risk finding your car blocked in or pelted with trash. Unbelievable, but unfortunately true.
Your best bet is to take an Uber to Mdina. That’s what we did. Uber is super affordable in Malta and the drivers are incredibly friendly!
Why is Mdina no longer the capital of Malta?
Until 1530, Mdina was the capital of Malta. But as it became increasingly clear that Malta could be better controlled from the coast, the Knights of Malta made Valletta the new capital. And so it has remained to this day.
How big is Mdina?
Mdina in Malta is not even one square kilometer in size. To be precise, the city measures 0.885165 km².
For comparison: Cologne is 405 square kilometers in size.
Who lives in Mdina?
Mdina has around 400 residents — and a large portion of them are part of Malta’s upper crust of society.
Mdina is also called Citta Notabile, which roughly translates to “noble city.” Noble families have lived here for hundreds of years, and their descendants still reside here today.
What does Rabat mean?
Rabat means “fortified city” or “suburb”.